Dry skin: causes and treatment

In the majority of cases, dry skin is not a serious condition, although itcan be quite uncomfortable since it can lead to the appearance of fine linesand wrinkles. On the other side, there is a group of serious skin disorders that are inherited.The general term for these skin disorders is ichthyosis.

Symptoms of dry skin

Dry skin can be just a temporary problem, but one may also suffer from itduring his/her whole life. The symptoms of this skin condition usually varyfrom person to person. When one has dry skin, he/she usually feel skin tightness, particularlyafter showering or bathing. Furthermore, the skin looks dehydrated and rough. Thepeople who suffer from dry skin may experience itching, which may becomeintense. Other symptoms of dry skin may include fine lines or wrinkles, flaking orpeeling of the skin and redness, as well as deep fissures that may even bleed.

Causes of dry skin

Since the skin is our major and external organ, it is exposed to many externaland internal factors. Therefore, many environmental factors and diseases areresponsible for the skin disorders, including dry skin. One potential cause for the occurrence of dry skin is weather. Our skin is the driest in winter season, due to low temperatures and low humidity levels. Dry skin may also be caused due to air conditioning and central heating, sincethey decrease the level of humidity and thus dry the skin.

Frequent swimming in highly chlorinatedpools and frequent showering with hot water may lead to the dryness of theskin. It is also considered that manydetergents, antibacterial soaps and shampoos strip lipids and water from theskin, causing its dryness. Sun exposure is also responsible forthe incidence of dry skin. Furthermore, dryness of the skinappears due to many diseases and skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis. Thiscondition is a type of eczema that affects the face, sides of the neck, andfold areas around the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. Psoriasis or accumulation of roughand dead skin cells, as well as hypothyroidism or inactive thyroid gland, may alsocause dryness of the skin.

Treatment of dry skin

In severe cases, a dermatologistshould be consulted. On the other side, if dry skin isjust a mild condition, there are certain things that a person can do athome. It is very important to moisturize the skin. Therefore, variousmoisturizing creams and lotions should be applied to the dry skin. Furthermore,the person should drink as much water as possible.