If you experience excessive skin dryness, peeling, itching and cracking skin may feel normal for you. You don't have to suffer from your dry skin, however, as there are many remedies and solutions available, once you know the cause. Excessive skin dryness may be a symptom of an underlying skin condition or it may be just a bad case of dry skin that can be cured with some precautions and protection of your skin. Discuss your concerns about your skin with your doctor.
Care
If you have extremely dry skin, you can take some precautions to prevent more moisture drainage. Some activities that can trigger dry skin include bathing or showering in hot water, bathing or showering often, using harsh soaps and shaving. Those with dry skin should avoid these skin-drying practices by showering in room-temperature water, using mild soaps formulated sensitive or dry skin, and showering or bathing less frequently. Dry skin sufferers can take shaving precautions as well, by shaving when skin is soft, after showering, and using a shave gel for protection.
Protection
Use heavy, unscented or lightly scented lotions to protect your skin. The National Institutes of Health recommends using mild cleansers like Aveeno or Cetaphil or mild soaps like Neutrogena or Dove. After showering or bathing, dry skin sufferers can moisturize with face and body lotion. The sun's rays can also dry out your skin, so wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your skin. Try to cover up if you are going out in the sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses.
Environmental Factors
If you live in a dry climate or an area with cold, harsh winters, you are more likely to experience dry skin. The lack of moisture in cold air can dry out your skin, but indoor heat can be even more damaging, as it blasts out dry air, according to the National Institutes of Health. Using a humidifier when your heat is on or if you live in a dry climate will add moisture to the air. Those who have dry skin should bundle up to protect skin from the air when going out in the cold.
Skin Conditions
If your skin does not improve with home care, consult a dermatologist because you may have a skin condition. Excessive dry skin can be a symptom of eczema or keratosis pilaris. Eczema is characterized by patches of dry, inflamed, itchy skin. Eczema can be caused by known factors, such as allergies or poison ivy, or unknown factors, according to EczemaNet, an informational website on eczema. Keratosis pilaris is characterized by small bumps on the skin that range from flesh-colored to red. This condition is in itself harmless, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, but can be itchy and unsightly.
Treatments
Keratosis pilaris does not require treatment since it is a benign condition, but some people seek treatment to relive the itch or to get rid of unsightly areas of bumps. Topical retinoids, mild chemical peels and creams that contain urea or lactic acid are often used to treat keratosis pilaris. For eczema, treatments may vary depending on the cause. If allergies triggered it, removing the allergen, taking an antihistamine and using a topical cream can help. Dermatologists often prescribe medications or creams to alleviate eczema.
Member Comments