What dry skin is
Skin is dry when it loses more moisture than it holds on to: it feels tight, rough and dull, may flake, develop fine cracks and itch. It is a very common symptom, and most of the time it comes from outside conditions and care routines, not from illness. But sometimes dryness is the first sign of a skin condition, so it helps to tell ordinary dryness from the kind that needs a doctor.
Why skin becomes dry
The most common causes are very hot water and frequent washing, harsh soaps and gels, alcohol-based products, dry air from air conditioning and heating, wind, sun and sea salt, and age, since skin produces less oil over the years. Some medications, hormonal changes, too little water and smoking can add to it.
If dry skin comes with redness and strong itching, it may be dermatitis or eczema. Persistent dry, flaky, itchy skin in a child from the first months of life is a typical picture of atopic dermatitis. Sometimes the cause is an allergy to cosmetics or household products.
Dry skin on the face
The face dries and flakes from washing with hot water, scrubs, alcohol toners, heating, wind and sun. If dryness comes with redness, itching around the eyes, or stinging after you apply a normal cream, the skin may be reacting to your routine. Strip it back: keep a gentle cleanser and a fragrance-free moisturizer, and give the skin two to three weeks to settle. If it is better, an irritant was the cause. If not, see a dermatologist.
Dry skin on the hands and feet
Hands suffer from frequent washing, sanitizers, cold and household chemicals, while heels and shins suffer from footwear, dry air and hot water. Fine cracks on the fingers and heels hurt and let infection in. If cracks bleed, the skin is thickened or splits deeply, or you have diabetes, do not put off seeing a doctor.
Dry skin on the body, and itching
Dryness on the shins, thighs and sides that gets worse in winter often brings itching. If itching is strong, disturbs sleep or will not go away, read Itchy skin. If a rash appears on dry skin, see Skin rash.
Dry skin in a child
Children's skin, especially a baby's, dries out faster because the protective layer is thinner. The usual causes are frequent baths in hot water and harsh products. If dry, flaky patches stay on the cheeks and the folds of the elbows and knees, and the child itches and sleeps badly, see a pediatrician or a dermatologist. It may be atopic dermatitis.
What you can do before the visit
- Wash in lukewarm rather than hot water and keep it short. Use mild products without fragrance or alcohol.
- Apply a moisturizer or ointment right after washing, while the skin is still damp. Moisturize your hands after every wash.
- Choose fragrance-free emollients (products for dry skin). For very dry skin, thick ointments work better than light lotions.
- Humidify the room, especially during the heating season and with air conditioning.
- Wear cotton and avoid wool next to bare skin.
- In hot weather and at the sea, drink more water and protect the skin from the sun.
- Do not peel off flakes and do not use scrubs on dry or inflamed skin.
When it is more than just dryness
See a doctor if the skin does not improve after 2 to 3 weeks of proper care, the dryness keeps coming back, the skin cracks and weeps, turns red or looks infected, or if dryness comes with tiredness, feeling cold, hair loss, thirst or marked weight change. Thyroid disease, diabetes and other conditions can be behind it.
How a doctor finds the cause
A dermatologist examines the skin and asks about your routine, washing, medications and any family history of allergy. If needed, blood tests (glucose, thyroid hormones, iron) or allergy tests are ordered. Treatment usually means choosing the right moisturizers and, for dermatitis, anti-inflammatory ointments prescribed by the doctor.