Dry Skin

Dry skin is a common problem that makes your skin feel rough, itchy, and sometimes flaky or scaly. Where these dry patches appear can vary from person to person. It can affect anyone, regardless of age.

Dry skin, sometimes called xerosis or xeroderma, has several possible reasons. These include: cold or dry air (like in winter), too much sun, using harsh soaps, or washing too often. Over-washing can strip the skin of its natural oils, making it dry.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help. One key step is moisturizing. Applying a moisturizer regularly can help keep your skin hydrated and soft. Protecting your skin from the sun is also important, even when it's cloudy. Using sunscreen year-round can help prevent further dryness and damage.

Experiment with different moisturizers and skin care routines to find what works best for your skin. What helps one person might not work for another. Finding the right routine will help you manage and improve your dry skin.

Dry skin is often a temporary problem, like only appearing in the winter, or it might need ongoing care. How dry skin looks and feels can change depending on your age, health, skin color, where you live, and how much sun you get. Common signs include:

• Tightness: Your skin feels tight.
• Roughness: Your skin feels and looks rough.
• Itching: This can be mild or severe.
• Flaking/Peeling: Your skin might flake or peel slightly, or more noticeably. This can make some skin tones (like brown and black) look ashy. The peeling might be slight or significant.
• Cracked Skin: Your skin might look like a dry riverbed, especially on your legs. You might see fine lines or cracks.
• Changes in Skin Color: Dry skin can appear reddish on lighter skin tones and grayish on darker skin tones. In severe cases, the cracks can get deep enough to bleed.

Most often, dry skin can be improved with simple changes to your routine and home remedies. However, you should see a doctor if:

• Self-care isn't working: If you've tried things at home, but your dry skin continues.
• Inflammation or Pain: Your skin becomes red, inflamed, or painful.
• Dry Skin from Treatment: If you have dry, thick skin as a side effect of medical treatment, like cancer.
• Significant Discomfort: Your dry skin is so uncomfortable that it's affecting your sleep or daily life.
• Open Sores or Infections: If you have open sores or infections from scratching the dry skin.
• Large Affected Areas: If you have large areas of peeling or scaling skin.

In these situations, a doctor (like a primary care physician or dermatologist) can offer more specific advice and treatment.

Dry skin often gets better with simple lifestyle changes and home treatments. However, you should see a doctor, either your primary care physician or a dermatologist (a doctor specializing in skin), if:

1. Your dry skin doesn't improve after trying self-care methods. This means you've tried things like moisturizing regularly, adjusting your bathing habits, and using gentle soaps, but the dryness continues.

2. Your skin becomes red, irritated, or painful. If your dry skin is causing discomfort beyond just dryness, you should seek medical attention.

3. You have dry, thick skin as a result of medical treatment, like cancer therapy. Some treatments can cause skin problems, and a doctor can help manage this side effect.

4. Your dry skin is so bothersome it affects your daily life. If the dryness keeps you up at night or makes it hard to focus on your usual activities, it's important to see a doctor. This could include problems with sleep, difficulty concentrating, or not being able to do your usual tasks.

5. You develop sores or infections from scratching the dry skin. Scratching can break the skin and lead to infections. It's important to stop the itching and get medical help to prevent further problems.

6. Large areas of your skin are scaling or peeling. Extensive areas of flaking or peeling skin are a sign that something more might be going on. A doctor can determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

Dry skin happens when the outer layer of skin loses too much water. This can be caused by several factors:

• Warmth and heat: Using central heating, fireplaces, wood stoves, or space heaters can make the air very dry. This takes moisture away from your skin. Similarly, living in areas with naturally low humidity, or in very cold, windy weather, can also dry out your skin.

• Washing too much or too harshly: Taking long, hot showers or baths can strip away the skin's natural oils. Washing more than once a day can also remove these essential oils. Using a lot of scrubbing or harsh soaps can also damage the protective layer on your skin, making it drier.

• Harsh cleaning products: Many common soaps, shampoos, and detergents are designed to remove oil. This can lead to dry skin because they remove the natural oils that keep skin moisturized.

• Underlying health conditions: Some medical conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, can make your skin more prone to dryness.

• Medical treatments: Certain medical treatments like cancer treatments, dialysis, or some medications can cause dry, flaky skin.

• Getting older: As we age, our skin produces less of the natural oils that help keep it hydrated. This leads to thinner skin that's more easily dried out.

Essentially, dry skin often happens when your skin loses more water than it can replace. Understanding these potential causes can help you take steps to manage and prevent dry skin.

Dry skin can affect anyone. However, some factors increase your risk.

• Age: As you get older, your skin naturally loses its ability to hold onto moisture. This is a common reason for dry skin in people over 40.

• Climate: Living in places with very cold temperatures, strong winds, or low humidity can make your skin dry out more quickly. These conditions remove moisture from the air, and your skin's natural moisture also evaporates more easily.

• Occupation: Jobs that involve frequent contact with water can lead to dry skin. For example, people who work as nurses, hair stylists, or dishwashers might find their hands get very dry. Similarly, professions that involve working with dry materials like cement, clay, or soil can also cause dry skin. The repetitive motion and exposure to these substances can remove moisture from the skin.

• Frequent Swimming: Swimming in chlorinated pools can dry out your skin. The chlorine in the water strips away natural oils.

• Health Conditions: Certain health problems, such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes, or malnutrition, can also contribute to dry skin. These conditions can affect the body's ability to maintain healthy skin moisture levels.

Dry skin is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you don't take care of it, it can lead to problems.

• Eczema (atopic dermatitis): If you have a tendency toward eczema, very dry skin can trigger a flare-up. This means a red, itchy rash and cracked skin.
• Skin infections: Dry skin can crack, creating openings where bacteria can get in and cause infections.

These problems are more likely to happen when your skin's natural defenses are weakened. For example, extremely dry skin can create deep cracks or splits in the skin. These cracks can bleed, making it easier for germs to enter and cause problems.

Vivien Williams: With so many moisturizers to choose from, how do you pick the right one?

Dr. Davis: Look for a hypoallergenic moisturizer. This means it's less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Vivien Williams: What ingredients should I look for?

Dr. Davis: The best, most gentle, and hypoallergenic ingredient in moisturizers is often petrolatum. (That's just another name for petroleum jelly.)

Vivien Williams: So, petroleum jelly? Dr. Davis has another important tip for healthy skin.

Dr. Davis: Don't forget sunscreen! It's crucial for protecting your skin from sun damage, which can lead to serious problems.

Keeping your skin hydrated is important for healthy skin. Here are some simple tips to help your skin retain moisture:

1. Moisturize Regularly: Moisturizers create a protective layer on your skin, trapping moisture and preventing dryness. Use moisturizer daily, especially on your hands. When going outside, use a moisturizer with sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours, or more often if you're sweating or swimming. Don't forget cloudy days – the sun's rays can still damage your skin.

2. Limit Bath and Shower Time: Long, hot showers can strip your skin of its natural oils. Keep your bath or shower to 10 minutes or less, using lukewarm water instead of hot water. Gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it. Try to bathe no more than once a day.

3. Choose Gentle Cleansing Products: Harsh soaps can dry out your skin. Use a gentle cleanser, a non-soap cleansing cream, or a moisturizing soap that's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic (especially if you have sensitive skin or frequently wash your hands). Rinse thoroughly and apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.

4. Shaving with Care: Shaving can irritate and dry out skin. Use a shaving cream or gel to lubricate your skin before shaving. Shave in the direction of hair growth. Use a sharp razor, and rinse it with warm water after each stroke. After shaving, apply moisturizer to soothe and hydrate your skin.

5. Cover Up in Harsh Weather: Cold or windy weather can seriously dehydrate your skin. Wear scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens to protect your skin when outdoors.

6. Protect Your Hands: Gardening, cleaning with harsh chemicals, or other activities can dry out your hands. Wear gloves to protect your hands when performing these tasks.

7. Post-Swim Care: Swimming, especially in chlorinated pools, can dry out your skin. Rinse and moisturize your skin after swimming to replenish moisture.

8. Stay Hydrated from the Inside Out: Drinking plenty of non-caffeinated beverages helps keep your entire body, including your skin, hydrated. Drink water whenever you're thirsty.

9. Gentle Baby Bathing: For babies, a gentle cleanser once or twice a week is usually sufficient. Otherwise, use plain water. Clean their diaper area after each diaper change. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor, or similar) while their skin is still damp. This helps seal in moisture and protect their delicate skin.

Doctors diagnose dry skin by looking at you and asking questions about your health history. They'll want to know when the dry skin started, what seems to make it better or worse, how often you bathe, and what skin care products you use.

Sometimes, doctors might suggest tests to see if an underlying medical problem, like an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), is causing the dryness. Dry skin can also be a sign of other skin problems, such as eczema (dermatitis) or psoriasis. These conditions affect the skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness.