Dry Skin

Table of Contents

• What is it and how do I manage it?
• Defining dry skin
• General symptoms of dry skin
• Dry skin triggers and factors
• How to manage dry skin

Defining dry skin

Dry skin can be a problem on its own or it can be a symptom of many other skin conditions. Here are some of the most common conditions.

Dry skin

Dry skin is skin that is lacking in moisture or oils. It can be due to things like the soaps and detergents we use, air conditioning, central heating or the weather. Or it can be a symptom of other skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis or ichthyosis.

Symptoms of dry skin can vary, depending on how severe it is. In mildly dry skin, you might have rough, slightly scaly skin that is red and may be itchy. Moderately dry skin is more scaly, red, itchy and may feel painful and cracked. With severe dry skin, the itching, scaliness and pain are more intense and any cracks may bleed. The longer you have dry skin, the more severe it may become – and you may find that your skin is often driest on your arms, lower legs and the sides of your stomach. Not everyone has the same skin type, therefore the areas affected is different for everyone.

Dry skin is more likely to become a problem as we age – it affects up to three-quarters of older people aged 64 and over. The condition is also more common in people with certain medical problems, such as an underactive thyroid or kidney failure.

Atopic eczema

There are many different types of eczema, but the most common is atopic eczema. This is a long-term inflammatory skin problem, also known as atopic dermatitis. Symptoms can be mild, meaning patches of dry skin, occasional itching and maybe some redness. Moderate symptoms include patches of red, dry skin, frequent itching, which can lead to disrupted sleep and confidence. In severe cases, large red areas develop, with dry skin that is always itchy and cracked, which may bleed or ooze. In addition, sleep is often badly disrupted, and so can be other everyday activities.

Although it can affect any part of your body, atopic eczema is most common on your face, scalp, hands and between your body creases like knees, elbows and armpits.

Contact dermatitis

This happens when your skin comes into contact with an allergen that triggers an immune reaction, or with an irritant that removes your skin’s natural protective oils. Skin can suddenly react to a product you’ve been using for a long time without any prior problems. In contact dermatitis, the skin becomes red, dry, flaky and itchy. In severe cases your skin may crack or blister and become weepy.

Psoriasis

There are many different types of psoriasis, but the most common is plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis can happen at any age, but most often starts between the ages of 10 and 35. It may also be associated with other medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, Crohn’s disease, obesity, anxiety and depression.

Ichthyosis

There are many different types of ichthyosis, but the most common are ichthyosis vulgaris (which is an inherited condition that usually first develops in babies) and acquired ichthyosis (which develops in adults). Symptoms include fine, white-grey scales (these are said to be ‘fish-like’) which may appear darker on dark-skinned individuals, as well as rough skin, on the arms, legs, torso and scalp. You might find that the skin creases on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet are more pronounced and can sometimes crack. Up to half of people with ichthyosis vulgaris also have atopic eczema symptoms.

Dry skin triggers and factors

There are many different dry skin triggers, but the following are the most common.

Air conditioning and central heating

Anything that reduces humidity can lead to dry skin – this includes air conditioning, central heating or wood burners. Dry skin worsens in the winter months because there is less humidity and more chance that the central heating is on.

How to avoid

• Use a vaporiser or humidifier in your home
• You can also put moisture back into the air by placing bowls of water under radiators.

Cleansers

Soaps and cleansers are detergents that often have a high pH than our natural skin pH. These can remove water and fats from the skin, damaging our skin barrier. Excessive bathing or showering, especially in hot water, can be bad for skin health.

How to avoid

• Have short baths or showers, lasting less than 10 minutes
• Water should be lukewarm, rather than hot
• Use fragrance-free cleansers and detergents or soap substitutes
• Wear cotton-lined gloves when doing dishes or house chores
• Double-rinse clothing after washing to remove detergent traces – or use fabric balls as an alternative.

Clothing

Wearing tight clothes can cause dry skin or make it worse. That’s because this type of clothing can rub on the skin, causing friction that leads to dryness.

How to avoid:

• Don’t wear tight clothes, opt instead for loose clothing styles
• Wear clothes made from natural fabrics, like cotton or linen
• Wear breathable or sweat wicking clothing to help remove sweat and allow it to evaporate into the air.

Weather and temperature

In winter, cold weather outside and lack of humidity inside can cause skin dryness. Heat from the summer sun can also dry the skin.

How to avoid

• During the winter, follow the tips given in the air conditioning and central heating section
• In summer, limit the amount of time you spend in the sun.
• Wear sunscreen/ SPF lotion, one that is a broad-spectrum sunscreen
• Moisturise the skin daily.

Stress

Stress can make your dry skin worse as it triggers the production of substances in the body that can affect the skin barrier.

How to avoid

• Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, tai chi or meditation
• Use distraction methods such as baking, knitting, or painting – whatever works for you
• Get a good night’s sleep. To help, try having a relaxing bath or shower before bed, avoid electronic devices for an hour or two before bedtime and sleep in a dark, cool room
• Exercise regularly – if sweat triggers your eczema, remove sweaty clothes as soon as possible afterwards and shower
• If you feel you can’t manage your stress, talk to a healthcare professional.