Dry skin is a very uncomfortable condition characterized by cracking, itching, and scaling. It can happen for various reasons. You may have naturally dry skin at all times. However, even if your skin has natural oiliness, sometimes, dry skin may also develop due to factors in your environment.
Causes
Extreme heat can cause dry skin to become cracked and flaky. People with a genetic predisposition for dry skin may also have the condition. This condition is also seen in women after giving birth as well as those taking antibiotics. Dry skin may also occur because of skin that is lacking moisture. If the body isn’t able to obtain adequate moisture from the environment or from the body itself, then it may dry up.
Symptoms and Remedies
The usual symptoms of dry skin include tight and itchy skin. Other symptoms of dry skin include redness, cracking, and itching. The symptoms worsen when you are exposed to the sun. Itching and burning may also occur, depending on the severity of the condition.
Most people use home remedies for dry skin during the winter. There are many home remedies that can help you relieve the symptoms during the cold months. Some common home remedies include using cornstarch to massage the affected area, using cold compresses to treat the inflammation, wearing cotton clothing instead of synthetic, and drinking lots of water to hydrate yourself. However, if the symptoms do not improve with these home remedies after a week, it is best to consult your dermatologist who may be able to prescribe a stronger medication.
Conditions
One condition that can lead to developing dry skin is psoriasis. People with this condition usually have dry skin on their hands, arms and legs and therefore they are prone to itching, which can aggravate the symptoms.
Cold weather can aggravate symptoms of dry skin patches. It is important to keep your hands moisturized and hydrated to prevent the appearance of dry skin patches. During the winter months, especially when it is cold outside and humid indoors, it is important to increase the humidity level inside the house to prevent the development of dermatitis. Using humidifiers to speed up evaporation of water from the air can also help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis.
Other skin conditions such as eczema and atopic dermatitis both exhibit common characteristics. However, dermatitis can often be treated successfully. Treatment is generally centered around relieving itchiness. The goal with treating atopic dermatitis is to decrease the redness and itching associated with the condition while moisturizing the affected areas. While eczema is commonly characterized by thick, dry, patches of skin, it can also result in the development of blisters which can be treated using medicinal scrubs, creams, or ointments.
In conclusion
Most cases of dermatitis will clear up with regular application of topical lotion. In most cases, topical lotions are less effective than creams and ointments used orally. However, if the dry skin becomes extremely itchy, a visit to the doctor may be necessary. If it is found that your dermatitis is caused by an underlying health condition, you may need to see a dermatologist to get the proper treatment. Fortunately, most cases of dry skin becomes less irritating with time.
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