Dry Skin- Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Your skin seems rough because it lacks sufficient moisture when you have dry skin. It is a typical problem. Xeroderma is the medical word for dry skin. Using moisturizers, you may cure dry skin at home. Furthermore, if you have persistently dry skin or if it keeps coming back, see a dermatologist.

Dry Skin

Scaling, itching, and cracking are unpleasant symptoms of dry skin. It may happen for several causes. Your skin may be naturally dry. You could occasionally experience this condition, even if you typically have oily skin. Any aspect of your body might be impacted. Also, it usually affects the legs, arms, and hands.

Often, all you need to cure it is over-the-counter moisturizers and a change in lifestyle. You need to get in touch with your physician if those remedies are not effective. Dry hands might also result from using hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing. Using a moisturizer following each hand wash might be beneficial.

Symptoms

Among the most typical signs are:

• Rough or tight skin
• Peeling or flaking skin
• Itchiness
• Skin cracks that occasionally bleed
• Skin scales

Causes of Dry Skin

Dry skin results from a deficiency of moisture in the skin’s underlying layers. Among the things that might lead to this issue are:

Age

The oil glands in your skin that produce moisture dry up with age. Your skin thins as a result of this, drying up your skin’s fat and collagen (elasticity). Also, this is a normal aspect of aging in your body.

Climate

Your skin’s level of moisture can be impacted by the temperature of your surroundings. Dry skin is a result of low-humidity environments, such as those that resemble deserts or are cold and windy. Moreover, it may happen at any time of year, although it usually gets worse in the winter.

Genetics and Health Issues

If you have a medical condition that produces dry skin as a symptom or if you are born with genes that make you more vulnerable to it, you may be more likely to acquire dry skin. It can result from a number of illnesses, including eczema, diabetes, renal disease, and allergies.

Occupations

Dry skin can result from certain occupations, particularly if you work outside, with chemicals, or wash your hands a lot. Those in the medical field, hairdressing, and farming are among the occupations where this type of skin issue is more common.

Treatment

Rehydrating or restoring moisture in the skin is the main goal of treatment for dry skin. Some possible treatments include:

Applying Moisturizers

For the majority of dry skin types, moisturizers are the first line of therapy. They act to restore your natural skin barrier and smooth and soften dry skin in order to avoid cracking.

Moisturizing products are available as ointments, creams, lotions, and oils. Also, they include hyaluronic acid, which makes your skin more hydrated, and emollients, which calm and moisturize your skin.

Using Prescription Drugs

Your doctor may recommend a topical steroid to treat very dry, itchy, or cracking skin. Topical steroids work by reducing skin inflammation, which is what causes rashes and itching. Additionally, oral or injectable medicine may be suitable in severe situations.

The Bottom Line

If you sometimes have dry skin, you can probably avoid and cure it using over-the-counter moisturizers and minor lifestyle adjustments. Moreover, schedule a visit with your physician if you start experiencing very dry skin. Skin irritation may worsen if untreated. Thus, getting therapy early will make you more comfortable sooner. Additionally, it will lessen your chance of problems including skin infections and open wounds from scratches.