Skin becomes irritated for many reasons. Heredity, environmental factors, exposure to allergens or irritants are some of the factors to consider. Some irritations may be mild and easily treatable at home but if your symptoms are more severe, you may need to consult a physician.
Eczema
Eczema refers to a host of skin conditions. Although symptoms vary, Medline Plus characterizes this irritation as "a chronic skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy patches, as well as blistering, peeling or weeping of the skin."
While the cause of eczema is not fully understood, heredity may be a factor. There is no known cure, but avoiding triggers can reduce outbreaks. Triggers can be environmental and include exposure to prolonged dry weather, pollen and cigarette smoke. Food allergens, such as peanuts, soy and eggs can set off a flare. Some people react to emotional triggers, such as stress and depression. Contact with irritants can also cause an outbreak. Common irritants include wool, fragrances in soaps and skin care products and solvents.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis shows up as red, swollen, often itchy, sometimes blistering patches of skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, contact dermatitis results from direct contact with irritating substances like soap, cosmetics, jewelry or weeds, including poison ivy or poison oak.
Irritant contact dermatitis can develop after a single exposure to the aggravating substance. Allergic contact dermatitis tends to develop after repeated contact with the allergen.
Dry Skin
Over time, dry skin can become itchy and painful. Prolonged exposure to dry, winter air or to desert climates can cause the skin to lose moisture and to become dry and flaky. For some, the workplace can be a factor. Pilots and flight attendants who spend long hours in low-humidity airplanes have an increased tendency toward dry skin. Dish washers, pet groomers and others whose hands are in water for long periods of time can also suffer.
Dry, irritated skin has a greater tendency to crack and become infected.
Sunburn
Over-exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can result in a painful sunburn. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that a sunburn may cause the skin to blister and peel, leaving new skin underneath unprotected and even more prone to UV damage.
UV exposure from sunlight is not the only cause of sunburn. According to the Food and Drug Administration, in 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that tanning devices that emit UV rays are carcinogenic to humans.
