Dry Skin - Causes, Symptoms and Remedies

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin is extremely common and can occur at any age, but is particularly common in elderly people, the fair-skinned and those prone to allergies. As many as 85 percent of the elderly develop dry, irritated skin in the winter months partly as cause of dry, heated air indoors and cold air outside As we age, we also lose sweat and oil glands, which accelerates evaporation of water from the skin.

Over exposure to chemicals or harsh products such as soaps, sun, perfumes, household cleaning products and detergents can exacerbate dry skin. If the skin loses water more rapidly than it is being replenished, the upper layer (epidermis) dries out.

Dry skin can also be caused by dermatitis through of contact with irritants such as plants, insect bites, certain fabrics such as woool, dyes, metals, cosmetics, certain drugs and other allergens. Some medical conditions such psoriasis, diabetes, liver and kidney disease can lead to dry or itchy skin. However, the greatest cause of dry skin is, simply, overuse of water. Although it cleans the skin, it also washes away skin oils that are required to retain moisture in the skin and prevent excessive evaporation..

People bathe far more frequently than they did decades ago and as a result dry skin has become a modern-day problem. Our ancestors didn't suffer as much with dry, irritated skin conditions because they bathed more infrequently, allowing their bodies to replenish their natural oils between baths.

When the dry, top layer of skin becomes stiff and can crack, causing fissures into the deeper layers, which become inflamed, itchy and sometimes infected.

Possible Causes at a Glance:

" Dehydration through illness and/or failure to drink enough fluids
" Exposure to dry or overheated atmosphere
" Nutritional Deficiencies e.g. Vitamin A
" Contact Dermatitis
" Eczema
" Psoriasis
" Skin Infections e.g. Athlete's Foot
" Sunburn
" Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid gland)
" Ichthyosis (areas of fish-like scaly skin)
" Kidney Disease
" Liver Disease
" Diabetes
" Anorexia Nervosa
Causes are usually straightforward, but if you suspect that you might have an underlying medical condition, it is wise to seek the advice of a doctor and if necessary undergo further tests to determine the possible cause.

Symptoms of Dry Skin

There are several symptoms of dry skin, ranging from mild and tolerable to serious and distressing.

The following are some common symptoms of dry skin:

" The skin looks dull and doesn't have the same healthy sheen as moisturized skin
" The skin feels rough
" Small, fish-like scales may be evident, particularly on areas such as the lower legs
" Red patches and soreness
" Irritation and inflammation, sometimes with bleeding and oozing
" The face feels taut, particularly after washing
" Fine lines and wrinkles may develop, or existing ones may deepen

Remedies

Undermining the cause of dry skin is the first step towards treating it. It's futile slathering your skin with moisturizer if your diet is deficient in essential nutrients that are responsible for promoting healthy skin. Moisturizer will temporarily make the skin feel better, but will not cure it if there is an underlying condition that has not been managed. If you believe that your dry skin problem may be due to internal rather than external factors, then you should consult your doctor or dermatologist first. Irrespective of the cause, you need to maintain a good skin care routine that includes the daily application of moisturizer. The beneficial effects of creams that help to preserve the skin's moisture may be reversed if the treatment is stopped.

These days we are overwhelmed by the thousands of products available, together with a wealth of claims from cosmetic companies trying to promote their latest "miracle" treatment. Unfortunately, there is also a plethora of unproven claims and potentially unsafe treatments that are promoted in the media. Even some so-called natural remedies can still be ineffective, or even harmful. Often the simplest and most inexpensive remedies are the best.

Although drinking adequate water is often recommended to prevent dehydration, the skin's ability to retain the water is more important than the quantity of water that you drink.

Top Tips for Treating Dry Skin

" Humidify the indoor surroundings well, particularly the bedrooms. Two ways of doing this are by introducing more live plants and installing humidifiers. Even placing a bowl of water in a room is helpful, as long as you remember to replace with fresh water daily
" Apply moisturizer to his damp skin after showering since the emollients penetrate damp skin more effectively
" Use any affordable moisturizer that is rich in oil, easy to apply and free of potential allergens
" If possible, take a shower instead of a bath and minimize the time you spend in hot water. Showers tend to be more hygienic, because they remove dirt and bacteria more efficiently via the constant stream of clean water that is flushed away
" Use soap or shower gels with a neutral pH of 7 (alkalinity increases the pH and acidity decreases the pH)
" If possible, avoid products containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
" When using makeup on dry, sensitive skin, less is definitely more. While the temptation is to slather your face with heavy foundation to disguise any red patches and imperfections, this will only highlight the problem
" Take moderate exercise to increase blood flow and hence the supply of oxygen and nutrients to your skin

Recommended Products For Dry and Sensitive Skin

" Petroleum Jelly
" Mineral Oil (Baby Oil)
" E45
" Cocoa Butter

For dry skin caused by eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis:

" Allergenics Steroid Cream Emollient: A dermatologically proven, preservative- free formulation that is particularly suitable for dry, itchy skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

" Eucerin® Dry Skin: Fragrance-free skincare products formulated for dry skin. The products contain Urea, which rehydrates dry skin and reduces itching and flare-ups. The safety and efficacy of Eucerin products have been confirmed in clinical studies on dry skin.

" ELIDEL®: A steroid-free prescription cream proven to effectively treat people with mild or moderate eczema. Controls redness, itching and inflammation

Vitamins and Herbs For Dry Skin

Dry skin is often caused by nutritional deficiencies. The following vitamins and herbs are especially useful in improving the condition of dry skin:

" Vitamin A: Obtained from liver, eggs, butter, cod liver oil and beta-carotene

" Vitamin B Complex: Obtained from brown rice, egg yolks, fish, legumes, liver, nuts, peas, poultry, rice bran, kelp, wheat germ, whole grains, potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, sunflower seeds, carrots and spinach

" Vitamin C: Obtained from citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, legumes, nuts, soy, broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts

" Vitamin E: Obtained from wheat germ, almonds, peanuts, vegetable oil, green leafy vegetables and walnuts
" Evening Primrose Oil: Take one or two 500mg capsules two or three times a day, up to a maximum adult dose of 4g daily
" Calendula: Use externally in the form of a cream or tincture
" Tea Tree Oil: Add 1 drop of oil to your usual moisturizing cream to help combat dry skin

Conclusion

Dermatologists and the pharmaceutical industry are constantly researching new treatments and approaches to skin care, with an ongoing requirement for scientific studies into which treatments are effective and which are a waste of time and money. Many claims made by cosmetic manufacturers remain unsubstantiated, but often the only way that you will know what is best for your skin is through trial and error. What works for one person may not work for another and what used to work for you may suddenly become ineffective. You have to adapt your skin care routine as you age and as your lifestyle and skin changes. Generally skin becomes drier with age, so the soap and water that you used in your teens will have to be exchanged for gentler cleansers that don't strip the skin of its natural oils. If your surface skin doesn't have enough oil, it causes more evaporation of water, which leads to dryness.

Irrespective of price, all moisturizers for the face, eyes, hands and body have one common factor; they all contain similar ingredients. The thickness of moisturizing creams is dependent on their oil-water ratio. Generally, the thicker or greasier the cream, the more oil it contains and the thinner the cream, the more water it contains. Thicker creams are recommended for dry skin.

Find what works for you, but don't spend a fortune in the process!

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