Dry Skin (Xerosis)

Home » Skin Conditions » Dry Skin (Xerosis)

Dry skin can be flaky, itchy, tight, red and painful. And because your skin is your first line of defense in preventing infection, it’s important to keep it healthy. Dry, cracked skin can let bacteria in, leading to bigger problems.

Why is my skin dry?

Certain skin conditions and diseases may be the root cause of your dry skin. But often, the cause is something simple – for example, living in an arid climate like the Tri-Cities – and can be easily counteracted.

Skin can get dry whenever the natural oils in it are stripped away. Most often this happens on hands, arms, lower legs and abdomen.

Home remedies

To treat and prevent dry skin try these dry skin care tips:

• Avoid hot water. Take short lukewarm to cool showers or baths and stay out of hot tubs and chlorinated pools.
• After washing, pat your skin dry with a towel so it’s not sopping wet, then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
• Buy mild moisturizers without perfumes or alcohols in the ingredients.
• Make sure your moisturizer is thick, not runny. If you put some in your palm and flip your hand over, it should not run or drip.
• Don’t run your heater or air conditioner more than necessary. Both can dry out the air.
• Counteract dry air by using a humidifier, especially in your bedroom.
• Bundle up with hats, scarves, gloves and knee-high socks to keep dry winter air from getting to your skin.
• Lay off the soap unless you actually need it. Often the only parts that need soap or cleanser are the face, hands, feet, groin area and underarms. Just rinse the rest with water unless there’s dirt that needs to be removed.
• Stay away from harsh soaps, such as deodorant and antibacterial soaps. Look for milder, fragrance-free soaps.
• Stay away from loofahs, rough washcloths, scrub brushes, etc. when you’re showering. All these “exfoliating” instruments torture your skin and strip away oils.
• Avoid itchy or tight-fitting clothes.
• Use laundry detergents free of perfumes and dyes.
• Shaving can irritate dry skin. Avoid this by shaving after you bathe when the hairs are soft. Use shaving cream or gel. Don’t use a dull razor. Shave in the same direction the hair grows.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Not getting the nutrients you need can leave your skin dried out.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.

Medical causes

Sometimes the cause of dry skin has less to do with external or environmental factors, than something going on inside the body. Possible internal causes include:

• Drugs and medications. Examples of drugs that dry out your skin are the diuretics given to high blood pressure patients and retinoids given to acne patients. If your skin dries out after starting a new medication, talk to your doctor about the possibility of changing the dose or switching medications.
• Age, gender, hormones and genetics are all factors that can cause dry skin. Dry skin often develops as we get older and hormone levels change, especially among women. Others are just genetically prone to dry skin.
• Eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions. Use of moisturizers is often part of the treatment for these conditions.
• Fluctuations in glucose levels in those with diabetes can cause dehydration which dries out the skin.
• The low levels of thyroid hormone that occurs with hypothyroidism can reduce the amount of oils produced by your skin.

If the dry skin care tips aren’t enough to solve your problem, you should see your dermatologist who can help identify the causes of your dry skin and may prescribe antihistamines for itchiness or steroid creams.

Other resources

AAD pamphlet about Dry Skin and Keratosis Pilaris