Causes of dry skin. Because it lacks sufficient moisture, dry skin gives you a harsh texture. Dry skin is a regular occurrence. Xeroderma is the medical word for dry skin. Using moisturizers at home is one way to treat dry skin. If your dry skin persists or continues coming back, consult a dermatologist. Skin that lacks sufficient moisture to maintain its softness is referred to as dry skin.
CAUSES OF DRY SKIN
Xeroderma, which is pronounced “ze-ROW-derm-ah,” is the medical name for dry skin. Extremely dry skin is known as xerosis (pronounced “ze-ROW-sis”). Rough areas of your skin that may flake or seem scaly are indicative of dry skin. Your skin may or may not be itchy (pruritis) if it is dry. Skin that is too dry might bleed and split.
Types
When something that irritates or triggers an allergic reaction comes into contact with your skin, it can lead to contact dermatitis. You can develop a skin rash in addition to dry, itchy, and red skin. Cosmetics, detergents, medicines, and precious metals (nickel) are a few examples. Eczema: Eczema is a collection of skin disorders that result in itchy, bumpy, dry, and red skin patches. Severe forms may result in skin breaking, increasing your vulnerability to infection. Irritating factors, allergies, and stress can exacerbate this common skin problem.
More types
Seborrheic dermatitis: A condition called cradle cap in infants or dandruff in adults can cause dry skin on your head. Additionally, dry, flaky skin patches on your face, chest, and inside the folds of your arms, legs, or groin might be symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. Your navel, or belly button, may also be impacted, though this is less common. Your body reacts to a common yeast that forms on your skin to cause this kind of dermatitis. Athlete’s foot: A fungus causes athlete’s foot, which might resemble dry skin on your feet. This fungus is known as “ringworm” when it grows on your body. The soles of the feet may have dry, flaking skin in people who have athlete’s foot.
Symptoms
Dry skin symptoms include skin that’s: Cracked. Rough. Tight. Flaking. Scaling. Itchy. Red to purple, or lighter or darker than your typical skin tone. A rash may appear on your skin if it is really dry. The rash may be itchy, puffy, have tiny pimple-like bumps, or be a different color—typically red to purple—than the surrounding skin. Dermatitis, another word for swelling and inflammation of the skin, is the medical term for this rash.
Causes
Age: The oil glands that produce moisture in your skin dry out as you become older. Your skin becomes thinner as a result of the fat and collagen (elasticity) in your skin drying out. This is a normal aspect of aging for your body. Climate: The moisture content of your skin can be impacted by the temperature of your surroundings. Dry skin is a result of dry weather, such as desert-like regions or cold climates with strong winds. Although it can happen all year round, dry skin is frequently worse in the winter. Genetics and health conditions: If you have a medical condition that produces dry skin as a symptom, or if you were born with genes that make you more susceptible to it, you may be more likely to develop dry skin.
Summary
Dry skin can appear flaky, rough, itchy, and painful. Thankfully, there aren’t many long-term issues with dry skin. Despite usually being a chronic issue, dry skin is very treatable. Consult your healthcare professional about ways to prevent and treat dry skin. Your doctor may give medicine and provide treatment advice if dry skin is a symptom of another ailment, such as eczema.