First, the good news: dry skin is not typically a serious health condition.
Now, for the bad news: dry skin can be incredibly uncomfortable, not to mention unsightly.
People with dry skin often report that their skin feels tight, especially after a dip in the pool, bath or shower. Dry skin is also usually itchy, flaky and red, and it may develop cracks that are very sore and can bleed.
Scared? You don’t have to. Here is some more great news: there are a number of remedies and steps that you can take to alleviate dry skin. To get the best bang for your curative buck, it is also a good idea to determine why your skin is dry in the first place.
Reasons Why Your Skin is Dry
There are a number of reasons why your skin is dry. In some cases, it’s because of hot summer days or cold winter nights. Low humidity can also cause your skin to be chapped; in some cases, you might find that your knees, elbows and cheeks are dry when the temperature dips below 40 degrees. Other common causes of dry skin include your age, how much time you spend outside, genetics, chemicals you’re exposed to (such as household cleaning products), and your job. For instance, if you teach kiddos to swim and spend hours a day in a chlorinated pool, your skin may pay the price by being dry and itchy. The condition of dry skin is more pervasive and serious than you may think. Therefore, it is important to identify symptoms and act early on.
Common Symptoms
Most people experience dry skin temporarily, during the cold winter months. However, in certain cases, it may present a lifelong condition where consulting a dermatologist is important. Symptoms of dry skin depend on various factors, but most common amongst the lot are:
- Tight skin
- Rough skin
- Continuous irritation
- Rashes
- Pigmented skin
Tips to Prevent Dry Skin from Occurring
Most cases of dry skin respond effectively to home remedies, but when dealing with a severe case, acquiring immediate medical attention is a must. And while dry skin is definitely common, it is not necessarily inevitable. To prevent chapped skin as much as you can, limit the amount of time you spend in the bath or shower to less than 10 minutes, and keep the water cool or warm, not hot. While most people prefer taking hot showers, it can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. Cold weather can easily lead to dry skin, so wear a hat and gloves when you are out and about, and in the hot summer months cover up as much as you comfortably can with light cotton pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Also, to protect your hands when washing dishes or doing other cleaning tasks, wear non-latex rubber gloves. If you enjoy a swim in the pool or soothing soak in the hot tub, consider rinsing off as soon as you get out of the water. Avoid allergens and irritants all the time. It’s very crucial to be mindful of the chemicals you expose your skin with because if you aren’t treating it gently, the consequences won’t be good.
How to Repair and Treat Dry Skin
Sometimes, despite your best efforts to prevent it, your skin will still dry out, crack, turn red and itch. When this happens, it is definitely time to change your approach from prevention to cure. One of the best ways to fix dry skin is by moisturizing it on a regular basis. To do so, try a product such as coconut oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids(You can use coconut oil all over your body, every day). In fact, use moisturising soaps or shower gels. You may also have luck with applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your hands and feet at night and then wearing cotton gloves and socks so you don’t get it all over your sheets. If you have dry skin around your eyes, invest in a moisturizing cream that is specially formulated to treat the thin and delicate skin on this part of your face. The best eye cream for undereye crow’s feet, lines and wrinkles will generally include peptides and glycerin.
Pat your wet skin rather than rubbing it dry. Use a humidifier in your home. When choosing a moisturizer for your particular skin type, make sure it is the best. You can also make an oatmeal bath at home. Various studies revealed that oatmeal has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that treat dry, scaly skin. You can either add a cup of ground oatmeal powder directly to warm bath water or use an oatmeal soap. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3s can also help repair dry and irritated skin. Foods like blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, beans contribute to healthy skin. So, if you haven’t incorporated these foods in your diet yet, do it now. Along with that, make sure you stay hydrated at all times.
Beat Dry Skin, Once and For All
No matter the reasons for your dry skin, it’s definitely worth the effort to figure out what is causing it in the first place, and then take a proactive and repairing approach. It shouldn’t be long before your itchy and red skin is looking and feeling much better. However, if you are at high risk of having skin issues or dry skin rashes, we suggest you take essential steps to preserve your healthy skin now. Along with mucus and tears, your skin is the first line of defence in fighting infection. It helps to protect us against invading pathogens. When your guard is compromised, chances of contracting an infection become higher. So, make sure to include a good moisturiser and sunscreen in your skincare regime. Switch to a moisturizing hand wash. Wear loose, comfortable clothing so that the sweat doesn’t irritate your skin. These home remedies will go a long in providing your skin with the protection it deserves. However, if nothing seems to work, make sure you consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Hopefully, this was helpful.