Dry skin presents itself in a myriad of ways. Usually, it shows as a patchwork of tiny, white coloured, flaky, dead skin flecks in an area that may also show a red rash. The regions of the body most prone are the face, hands, forearms and around the shins, ankles and feet but the condition can affect any region of the body.
Symptoms are different for every person and vary from a minor constant itch to a widespread and painful chronic condition. In extreme cases the skin’s surface can become raw with open wounds liable to infection.
The usual medical reference for dry skin is xerosis cutis. This derives from the ancient Greek xeros which means dry. However, eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis are some of the other medical conditions that may lead to a dry skin condition. If you are prone to contact dermatitis, you could benefit from reading www.dermatitis-page.info. In this article, we will not be dealing with these particular medical conditions.
Healthy skin is soft and gentle to the touch On its surface is a thin layer of natural lipids; fatty cells that help to maintain the correct level of moisture content in the epidermis. If these essential lipids are scrubbed away by excessive cleaning of the skin or by using harsh soaps and lotions, then split skin on the fingers (info can be found here) can be the result.
The natural process of growing older may also prompt a dryness of the skin. In fact, a large number of elderly people have trouble with dry skin. Women are particularly susceptible as changes in hormone levels can be a contributing factor to the problem.
People suffering from diabetes, thyroid imbalances and other medical conditions, or those with poor diets, are similarly prone to the dry skin symptoms
Having understood the major causes of dry skin, you will be pleased to realise that the majority of cases may be effectively treated by following a few simple tips.
Make sure that you practice a sensible skin cleansing routine:
Always use a hypo-allergenic, perfume free soap or cleansing lotion. Additional ingredients, particularly those designed as a perfume, sometimes irritate already sensitized skin.
Never scrub yourself clean with a brush or harsh sponge. If you ignore this advice, along with any ingrained dirt, you are likely to remove your skin’s top protective layer.
Fill your bath with lukewarm water or, better still, take a short warm shower. Any tightening or wrinkling of your skin after washing indicates that the water was far too hot for your skin’s health and may have damaged your epidermis.
Never dry yourself by rubbing. This can also damage the skin’s delicate top layer. Instead, use a soft blotting motion to get your skin dry by dabbing with a cotton soft gentle towel.
In addition to your newly adopted washing routine, use a superior quality moisturiser:
Regularly using a moisturising cream is a vital part of treating dry skin problems. However, be careful with your choice of product. Always opt for a moisturising cream that is alcohol free – the less allergens that your skin is subjected to, the more chance you are giving it the opportunity to recover. This means that you should avoid purely cosmetic moisturising creams and lotions.
Finally, become self-aware:
Monitor your dry skin and try to pinpoint any activity, hobby or circumstance that seems to aggravate its condition. Exposure to allergens plays a major role in initiating or exacerbating dry skin and related problems.
Following these few easy to manage tips will very likely reduce or even completely cure many outbreaks of dry skin. But be aware, it is important to realise that if your skin condition does not respond to these simple measures, or the body region affected is swollen or painful to touch, or the onset is quick, then you really should visit a health professional.
Disclaimer: It Should be noted that this posting features information freely available in the popular press and medical journals that deal with medical skin conditions. Nothing herein is intended to be or should be considered to be providing medical advice. For medical advice the reader should consult with his or her physician or other medical professional.