Rough, dry skin may have scales or small cracks. Dry skin can have causes that are not because of an underlying disease. Examples include a dry environment, frequent hand washing, inadequate hydration, swimming in a chlorinated pool, or difficult hand jobs like mechanics or farming.
Dry skin is a very common skin condition characterized by a lack of adequate water in the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. While dry skin affects both men and women equally, older people are much more prone to dry skin. The skin of older people has a reduced amount of natural oils and lubricants. Areas such as the arms, hands, and especially the lower legs are more affected by dry skin. Environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, have a profound effect on the amount of water retained in the skin. For example, cold, dry air when heated by an oven will produce dry skin by evaporating moisture from the skin. Frequent hand washing and disinfection cause evaporation and dryness. Dry skin can also be a side effect of certain medications and a by-product of certain skin conditions.
The epidermis is normally made up of lipids and proteins. The lipid part of the epidermis, associated with specific epidermal proteins, helps prevent skin dehydration. When there are deficient proteins and lipids, moisture in the skin evaporates more easily. When the skin becomes dry, it can also become more sensitive and prone to rashes and skin breakdown. The medical term for dry skin is xerosis.
Types of dry skin
Exposure to dry weather, hot water, and certain chemicals can dry out your skin. Underlying medical conditions can also cause dry skin.
Dermatitis is the medical term for extremely dry skin. There are several types of dermatitis.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis develops when your skin reacts to something it affects, causing local inflammation.
Irritant contact dermatitis can occur when your skin is exposed to a chemical irritant, such as bleach.
Allergic contact dermatitis can develop when your skin is exposed to a substance to which you are allergic, such as nickel.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis occurs when the skin produces too much oil. This results in a red, scaly rash, usually on your scalp. This type of dermatitis occurs in infants.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is also known as Eczema. It is a chronic skin condition that causes dry, scaly patches to appear on your skin. It is common in young children.
Other conditions, such as psoriasis and type 2 diabetes, can also cause the skin to dry out.
Causes
You can develop dry skin for many reasons, including:
Age: Older people are more prone to dry skin because of natural changes in the skin. As we age, the sebaceous and sweat glands dry out and the skin loses fat and elasticity, which makes it thinner.
Climate: People who live in dry, desert environments are more prone to dry skin because there is less humidity or humidity in the air.
Genetics: Some people inherit certain skin conditions, such as eczema, which causes dry skin.
Health Concerns: Certain illnesses, including diabetes and kidney disease, can cause dry, itchy skin.
Occupations: Healthcare professionals, hairdressers, and other professionals are more likely to develop dry, red skin because they wash their hands frequently.
Risk factors
Anyone can develop dry skin. But you may be more likely to develop the disease if you:
Are in your 40s or older. The risk increases with age, more than 50% of the elderly have dry skin.
Live in dry, cold, or low humidity climates.
Have a job that requires you to submerge your skin in water, such as breastfeeding and hairdressing.
Swim frequently in chlorinated pools.
Diagnosis
Dry skin is easy to diagnose by its appearance. Depending on your symptoms, your health care provider may order tests to check for health conditions that are causing dry skin, such as:
A blood test to look for conditions like diabetes or renal disease.
skin biopsy (tissue sample) to test for eczema or other skin problems.
Treatment
The best treatment for dry skin is daily lubrication with an emollient. Because most of the dry skin is due to external causes, external treatments such as creams and lotions can be applied and effectively control the skin problem. Often, dry skin can be improved by applying an over-the-counter bland moisturizer. Once other causes of dry skin have been ruled out, the main goals of treatments are to stop itching, prevent water loss, and restore moisture to the skin.
Lightweight moisturizing lotions for slightly dry skin :
Cetaphil Lotion
Lubriderm Lotion
Curel Lotion
Highly moisturizing products for very dry skin :
Vaseline
Aquaphor
Topical steroid creams :
Hydrocortisone cream 1%
Pramosone 2.5% cream
0.1% triamcinolone cream
Fluocinonide cream 0.05%
As a general rule, only mild corticosteroid creams like hydrocortisone should be used on the face, armpits, and groin. Long-term application of strong corticosteroid creams like fluocinonide can cause serious side effects, including thinning of the skin, stretch marks, and breakdown of the skin.
Oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Vistaril, atarax), and cetirizine (Zyrtec) can also relieve generalized itching of dry skin by allowing better sleep at night. They have no direct effect on the itching itself.
We tend to think that drinking lots of water can cure dry skin, but the truth is, it's not effective. A person who is normally hydrated is unlikely to see a difference in their skin after drinking an increased volume of water.
2. Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize?
Dehydrated skin lacks water where dry skin lacks sebum. Additionally, dry skin is a type of skin while dehydrated skin is a skin condition. This means that genetics are involved in preventing your dry skin from producing enough sebum, but outside factors are the cause of your dehydrated skin.
3. Is milk good for dry skin?
Milk is good for dry, scaly skin. It helps replenish lost oils, making the skin smooth and hydrated throughout the day.
