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Dry Skin

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Definition

Dry skin is most common in your lower legs, arms, flanks (sides of the abdomen), and thighs. The symptoms most often associated with dry skin include: Scaling Itching Cracks in the skin



Alternative names

Skin - dry; Winter itch



Causes

Dry skin is common. It happens more often in the winter when cold air outside and heated air inside cause low humidity. Forced-air furnaces make skin even drier. The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed. Bathing too frequently, especially with harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin. Eczema may cause dry skin.



Definition

Dry skin is most common in your lower legs, arms, flanks (sides of the abdomen), and thighs. The symptoms most often associated with dry skin include:

Alternative names

Skin - dry; Winter itch

Causes

Dry skin is common. It happens more often in the winter when cold air outside and heated air inside cause low humidity. Forced-air furnaces make skin even drier.

The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed. Bathing too frequently, especially with harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin. Eczema may cause dry skin.

Care

It may help to change your bathing habits:

  • Keep baths or showers short.
  • Use warm (not hot) water.
  • Use as little soap as possible. Limit its use to face, armpits, and genitals if you can. Try mild cleansers like Aveeno or Cetaphil or mild soaps like Neutrogena or Dove.
  • Dry your skin thoroughly but gently -- pat, DON'T rub.
  • Take baths or showers less often.

Also, increase skin and body moisture:

  • Use bath oils and moisturizers at least daily. Thick, greasy moisturizers work best. Avoid products with alcohol. Apply just after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp.
  • Use a humidifier if the air is dry.
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Apply cool compresses to itchy areas, and try over-the-counter cortisone creams or lotions if your skin is inflamed. If this is not enough, talk to your doctor about possible prescription lotions.

When to contact a medical professional

Call your doctor if:

  • You feel itchy without a visible rash
  • Dryness and itching are preventing you from sleeping
  • You have any open cuts or sores from scratching
  • Home care measures do not relieve your dryness and itching

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your doctor will perform a physical examination with careful attention to all parts of your skin.

To better understand the cause of the dry skin, your doctor may ask:

  • When did your dry skin develop or has it always been dry?
  • Are all parts of your body affected? If not, what are the specific locations involved?
  • What seems to make the dryness worse?
  • Does anything make it feel better?
  • What are your bathing habits?
  • Do you have any other symptoms?

References

Content provided by:

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Review Date: .7/18/2007

Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.7/18/2007

Dry Skin Videos

Dry Skin Articles

  • How to Get Rid of Dry Skin on the Face

    ... every day to get rid of and to prevent dry skin. While the skin stays moisturized from the fluids, the water also flushes toxins from the body that dry skin.

  • How to Treat Dry Skin on Feet

    ...a pumice stone to remove any excess dry skin. Be gentle and only use as much pressure as needed, stop if you feel pain.

  • Dry Skin Care for Seniors

    ... Plus, after the age of 60 or so, skin dryness is a common problem. Itchy, scratchy, flaky, or peeling skin is likely to be the result of dryness. These symptoms differ from redness, swelling,...

  • Dry Skin Care for Seniors

    ... Plus, after the age of 60 or so, skin dryness is a common problem. Itchy, scratchy, flaky, or peeling skin is likely to be the result of dryness. These symptoms differ from redness, swelling,...

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Images provided by Google

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Conversations On Dry Skin

  • Can a diet cause dry skin?


    • Posted On August 18, 2007 11:00:37 AM

      ...rnal. Recently my skin has been really dry. Is this because of lack of fat? If so, are there any supplements that you wouldl recommend...like vitamin e or something? I already take fish ... Read More

    • Posted On August 20, 2007 09:42:55 AM

      How is your hair doing...is it dry and/or falling out as well? I had both symptoms, they thought I had a thyroid problem as well but that was not the culprit, I also had poor circulation in my fin... Read More

  • Dry Skin

    Anyone here have excessively dry skin on arms or legs as a result of the thyroid issues? If yes, what can be done to reverse it? My thyroid levels are fine now under doctor's care but my skin ( an...

    • Posted On May 4, 2008 10:16:47 AM

      ... which works like magic... my extremely dry skin was gone within 3 days of using this product. Now I live in Canada so I'm not sure if you guys have this where you live, but its worth a try. The... Read More

    • Posted On May 4, 2008 10:16:47 AM

      ... which works like magic... my extremely dry skin was gone within 3 days of using this product. Now I live in Canada so I'm not sure if you guys have this where you live, but its worth a try. The... Read More

  • Weird Dry Skin Issue - nutrition related?


    • Posted On April 23, 2008 07:58:54 AM

      So I have always had pretty dry skin, especially in winter, but it's warming up out and for the last week or so it has been markedly worse...i feel like i am literally shedding or something, kind o... Read More

    • Posted On April 23, 2008 08:09:02 AM

      Go see a dermatologist. You may have a skin condition. Read More

  • calories in fish cooked with skin on?


    • Posted On October 5, 2008 12:23:20 PM

      ...ss/seabream etc) is skin side down in a dry pan with some lemon, parsley and cumin. The only calorie value I can find on the database for seabream is the filet (roughly 100cal/100g), which I ass... Read More

    • Posted On October 8, 2008 07:33:41 AM

      ...n't add anything and then don't eat the skin it's probably about right. I just thought the fat cooking into the fish from the skin might affect the calorie content? Read More

  • Skin???


    • Posted On June 12, 2008 11:26:01 AM

      ...hen he or she has to worry about excess skin after losing a significant amount of weight. I have lost about 15 pounds in about 2 months and haven't noticed it yet, but am wondering if it will be... Read More

    • Posted On June 12, 2008 11:42:20 AM

      ... almost 200 pounds and she has no loose skin at all. Read More

  • dry mouth


    • Posted On February 6, 2009 11:26:21 PM

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Dry Skin Blogs

My skin is so dry!

My skin is so dry. It’s been dry all year, but I thought that at least once summer arrived it would get better. I mean, it’s usually quite humid here in Toronto during the summer, but this year it’s way cooler than normal. Some nights...

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Dry Skin Topic Guide

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Write for LIVESTRONG.COM

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Talk

ThoughtSearch: Dry Skin Isn t What It s Cracked Up to Be: Author : Helen HeckerThe good news is that today, there are several type... http://bit.ly/7GCod7

alfredpowell: What moisturizer and toner do you recommend for my extremely dry skin thanks to? http://bit.ly/08rwCKt

bestskinadvice: Dr. Lisa Benest personally chose this set of products to eliminate problem #acne for people with dry skin http://ow.ly/CRXo #beauty #burbank

allgirlsblogs: Best Moisturizer For Dry Itchy Skin Rash http://bit.ly/6HXnUW

GreenTheWorldUT: RT @SustainLane: Editors Pick - Dry Winter Skin?? Not This Year!! http://bit.ly/5nRuQ2

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