Dry Skin Causes

Dry Skin is a problem to many people. You may need to care for dry skin if you have dry skin on face, hands and feet. The dry skin needs special care for makeup. Some people have advanced or extremely dry skin condition with rash, which is known as pruritus.

When the level of sebum becomes low, skin loses its ability to retain moisture. Moisture somewhat provides protection to skin from the harmful UV rays from the sun. Dryness makes your skin itchi and you experience irritability and burning sensation. Your skin may also become sensitive to temperature.

1. Frequent Washing with Hot Water: Hot water dissolves away oils from the skin making it dry.
2. Using Non-moisturizing Soaps with Harsh Ingredients: Non-moisturizing soaps dehydrate the skin and decrease moisture from the body.
3. Harsh weather: Excessive cold and hot weather contribute to dry skin.
4. Some medication: Medicines like diuretics such as Lesix remove water from the body that can cause dryness.
5. Ichthyosis disease: This is a rare genetic disease that may be the reason of dry skin.

Skin dryness can be cured in most cases. Follow the following treatment options. If these treatments are not effective in curing your drying skin, then you must consult a dermatologist to get rid of dry skin condition.

1. Do not wash your hands and face frequently or take long baths. You lose moisture and it makes skin dry. If you are in a habit of washing frequently, then use products containing anti-pruritic agents such as oatmeal or pine oil. Pat dry your skin after wash with a towel, on the skin.
2. Do not use alcohol-based soaps, instead use oil-based moisturizing soap.
3. If you take bath with hot water, then use lukewarm water to protect the skin against dryness. After the bath, do not rub the body, but pat dry it.
4. Drink plenty of water. It is an important remedy and beneficial in treating dryness. You will see relief after a few weeks.
5. If you have a dry facial skin, then do not use a dry skin cream (creme), lotion or any product containing alcohol which removes the oils from the skin making it dry. Use mild oil-based skin lotions and creams containing glycerin, glycol or Alpha hydroxyacid (AHA). They help store the moisture in the skin and promote healing the skin. This will control your problem.
6. Use a humidifier in the room during winter to maintain the humidity needed for the preservation of skin moisture. It becomes more important if you are using heaters during winter.
7. Eat healthy foods.
8. Do some exercise. It is better to have a regular physical activity.