Severely dry skin can take a toll on quality of life. The itching alone can drive you crazy. But there can also be scaling or dry patches caused by the dry skin. Because everyone is different, the right treatment for this condition can sometimes be hard to find. However, understanding what dry skin is and why it occurs can help you find the best treatment for you.
History
The problem of dry skin is not new. The problem has been approached in several ways. According to the Minnesota State University website, those who lived in ancient Greece used various oils such as balanos, castor oil, olive oil, frankincense, safflower oil or sunflower oil on their skin. The best treatments could only be afforded by the higher classes and involved the use of essential oils. The lower classes could only afford castor oil.
Identification
Identifying that you have severely dry skin is not difficult. Dry skin can cause severe itching, and sores may even develop from the scratching that one does. A person may also develop rough patches or scaling on their skin from the dryness. If your condition is severe, you may even need to see a physician to determine if prescribed treatment is needed. Identifying the best treatment for dry skin can be an issue in itself for many people. The difficulty lies in the fact that treatments are going to have varied effectiveness on different people. Therefore, you will most likely have to try various types of treatment to find the right one for you.
Types
There are many types of treatments for dry skin, such as over the counter, herbal remedies, essential oils and prescription medications that are available to help those with severely dry skin. Using these treatments individually may be helpful, but the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology recommends using various methods together to optimize treatment. For example, try to limit your bathing to once a day and use warm water only. Hot water can cause damage to skin, and the heat will cause you to lose moisture from your body. In addition, you need to use soaps that are gentle and soothing. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology recommends soaps such as Dove, Oil of Olay and Basis for this. Once you have bathed, it is best to apply oil to your skin while it is still wet (try using baby oil or Keri Body Oil). After drying off, you can then apply a lotion or cream to your skin, and this will continue to seal the moisture into the skin. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, Eucerin or Cetaphil are excellent choices for this. In addition, you may also want to use a humidifier at home to help put moisture back into the air during winter months.
Time and Effort
Taking care of and treating your dry skin can require a great deal of time and effort. First of all, you must spend some time learning about the various treatments and learn to avoid ingredients (such as alcohol) that can further dry out your skin. You will also need to take extra time when bathing to apply oils and lotions to your skin. Therefore, you can expect to spend several minutes a day with this routine.
Benefits
The best treatments may take longer and may be expensive for some people. However, there are many benefits to treating your dry skin. You can avoid the discomfort from itching and may even prevent tears in the skin or sores that may develop from intense scratching. This can ultimately help to prevent skin infections, which can cause even more discomfort as well as taking additional time and money to heal. In the end, using the best treatments can help you to remain healthy and help your skin look the best it can.
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