If you have dry skin on your knees, it may be a product of aging skin, a dry environment or daily habits, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Dry skin isn't normally a serious problem, but it can become so uncomfortable that you opt to take further steps to alleviate symptoms and prevent future drying. Dry skin that is chronic or severe may also require evaluation and treatment from a dermatologist.
Causes
The top layer of your skin, the stratum corneum, is made up of dead skin cells and natural oils, according to the University of Iowa Health Care. The oils and dead cells hold water in the stratum corneum, help keep water from escaping the body and prevent germs and irritants from entering the body. However, the stratum corneum can't function properly if it doesn't contain enough water. This may happen if the skin's natural protective oils are lost and water escapes the skin. Factors that may contribute to dry skin include dry air, exposure to harsh soap ingredients and overexposure to water.
Signs and Symptoms
Your dry knees may feel itchy and tight and appear shrunken, rough and red, according to MayoClinic.com. Dry skin can also peel or develop flakes or scales. In severe cases, dry skin develops cracks or deep fissures that start to bleed and are susceptible to infection.
Home Remedies
A two-pronged attack of preventing moisture loss and adding body moisture should help reduce knee dryness. Reduce your knees' exposure to drying activities by cutting shower time down to 10 or 15 minutes, using a moisturizing cleanser rather than soap, turning down the heat in your shower water and dabbing your knees dry rather than scrubbing them with a towel. To add moisture to your body after you shower, use a thick and greasy moisturizer such as a cream or ointment when your skin is still damp; this will help seal in the moisture, according to MedlinePlus. Other ways to imbue your body with moisture are to drink at least eight glasses of water per day and use a humidifier in the room where you sleep, recommends Health Services at Columbia University.
Treatment
Seek outside help if your knees remain dry despite your efforts to moisturize them, recommends MayoClinic.com. Also get help if your knees are red, if you have itching that interferes with your ability to sleep or if your knees develop sores or infections. Your doctor may recommend a nonprescription cream that contains lactic acid to reduce severe itching or prescribe a cream or ointment if you have a skin disease such as psoriasis. He may also prescribe wet dressings to reduce infections in cracked skin or recommend a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching, redness and inflammation, according to MayoClinic.com.
Warning
Exercise caution when using nonprescription itch-suppressing or anti-inflammatory lotions, as they may contain chemicals that irritate or cause allergic responses in dry skin, according to the University of Iowa Health Care. Stop using a product if it causes your knees to burn and itch more than they did before.
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