Dry skin isn't usually a serious condition, but it may cause severe itching and lead to unsightly fine lines and wrinkles. Fortunately, if dry skin has become a sudden problem in your life, it is more than likely caused by environmental factors that you can at least partially adjust, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Cause
Your skin may suddenly become dry when the weather becomes cold and loses its humidity. The cold, dry winter air outdoors combined with the hot, dry furnace air indoors is the most common cause of dry skin, according to MedlinePlus. Other potential causes of sudden dry skin include changing to a harsh soap, spending more time than normal in a hot shower or bath and developing a condition such as eczema or psoriasis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Signs and Symptoms
Sudden dry skin often comes with sudden visible changes in your skin's appearance. Dry skin can look dull, flaky, rough, red, shrunken and sometimes cracked, according to the Mayo Clinic. In extreme cases, dry skin can develop fissures that bleed. Dry skin may feel tighter and rougher than normal and develop an intense itch.
Home Treatment
Since your sudden dry skin may be caused or aggravated by your showering habits, making some subtle changes to your routine may be all you need to do to fix the problem. Reduce your shower or bath time to 10 minutes to avoid drying out your skin. Also, keep the water lukewarm rather than hot, use a gentle cleanser or mild soap that contains no dyes or fragrances and gently blot your skin dry when you are finished showering, recommends MedlinePlus. Use an alcohol-free cream or ointment directly after you blot your skin dry--when your skin is still damp--to seal in as much moisture as possible.
Warning
Dry and irritated skin is susceptible to infection, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Infected skin is generally warm to the touch, and it appears red and swollen. It may also ooze. Visit your doctor if you believe your skin may be infected or if your attempts to moisturize your skin from home don't reduce the problem within two weeks.
Considerations
Many over-the-counter itch-reducing creams and anti-inflammatory products contain chemicals that may irritate or cause an allergic reaction in dry skin, according to the University of Iowa Health Care. If a skin product causes more itching and burning than you had before, stop using it until you consult your doctor. Anti-itch products that tend to not cause problems contain pramoxine or menthol and camphor, according to the University of Iowa Health Care.
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