Dry skin can result from exposure to dry air that generally occurs in winter to being in air-conditioned rooms to bathing too often. If so, moisturizers usually clear up the problem. However, your dry skin could be from an iron or vitamin deficiency. If you experience chronic dry skin, your doctor can determine whether or not you have any kind of deficiency.
Iron Deficiency
Anemia, due to an iron deficiency, causes dry skin along with dry nails and hair. Symptoms include itchy skin, brittle nails with vertical lines though them, cracks around the mouth, dry, brittle and shedding hair, and pale skin. The dry skin could lead to infections causing boils and impetigo. Infants older than 6 months, who are only drinking breast milk and are not eating iron-fortified cereal or foods, might develop an iron deficiency because breast milk is a poor source of iron. Other susceptible groups include pregnant women, women who are having a heavy period, smokers, vegetarians and people with gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease. If you take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, have a bleeding ulcer, or donate blood too often, you also may have an iron deficiency.
Treatment for Iron Deficiency
Eat red meat, which contains iron. Absorb the iron from red meat by not eating it while drinking coffee, tea or red wine. You can also take iron supplements. Taking the supplement with vitamin C can help your body absorb the iron. Iron tablets can cause constipation and nausea. It may help if you divide the dosage twice daily, wait 30 minutes before lying down and take the iron after eating -- although that may reduce its effectiveness. Only take the recommended dosage of iron supplements. Too much can increase your risk of heart and liver disease.
Deficiency of Vitamins A and C
A deficiency of vitamin A, vitamin C or both can cause your skin to become rough, dry and scaly. People can have a vitamin A deficiency if they have a poor diet or a liver disorder. People can have a vitamin C deficiency if they don't eat enough fruits and vegetables.
Treatment for Vitamin A and C Deficiency
To get vitamin A, eat green, leafy vegetables, papayas, oranges, carrots, squash and pumpkin. You can also get vitamin A from whole milk, egg yolk and fish oil. Take a vitamin A supplements in a dosage less than 10,000 units per day. Long-term use could cause fatigue, irritability, nausea, sweating and mild fever. To get vitamin C, eat citrus fruits, cantaloupe, berries, watermelon and pineapple. Other foods that contain a high concentration of vitamin C are broccoli, bell peppers, leafy greens, potatoes, tomatoes and squash. You can also take a vitamin C supplement. Women take 75 mg a day, and men take 90 mg a day. Teenage boys take 75 mg a day, and teenage girls take 65 mg a day. Children between 9 and 13 take 45 mg a day; between 4 and 8 take 25 mg a day; and children 1 to 3 can take 15 mg a day.
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