Why Is My Skin So Dry?

Dry skin is what happens when your skin doesn't get enough moisture. It can cause scaling, cracking, and discomfort. Dry skin often occurs on the hands, legs, and feet, but you could develop it anywhere. Dry skin can have many potential causes.

This article will cover the symptoms of dry skin, types of dry skin, common causes, and how to get rid of dry skin.

Dry Skin Symptoms

Dry skin can cause several symptoms. Here are some other symptoms associated with dry skin:

• A rough skin texture
• Cracking in the skin (it's possible that these cracks will bleed as they become deeper)
• Itchiness
• Pain where the skin is itchy
• Peeling of the skin
• A stinging or burning feeling in the skin
• Infections (these may occur because dry skin will have breaks in it, allowing germs to get inside)
• Wrinkled, loose skin

Types of Dry Skin

Although having some dry skin is normal, there are certain skin conditions that are known to cause dry skin. Here are some of them.

Eczema

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition associated with:

• Blisters
• Dry skin
• Skin infections
• Rough skin patches

About 31 million Americans have eczema, according to the National Eczema Association. Eczema can present in young babies, during childhood, or in adulthood.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a disease that causes raised plaques and scales on the skin. Although the cause isn't clear, it's related to inflammation and the immune system not working as it should.

The raised areas of skin most commonly appear on the:

• Elbows
• Knees
• Scalp

In addition to dry, itchy skin, other symptoms of psoriasis include swelling and joint stiffness.

There are more than 7.5 million adults with psoriasis in the U.S.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is an inherited condition that causes inflammation of the skin's upper layers. In infants, it's often referred to as cradle cap. It can occur in adulthood as well, and at that point, it's referred to as dandruff.

Symptoms associated with seborrheic dermatitis include:

• Dry or greasy scales on the scalp
• Scalp itchiness
• A yellow or red scaly rash on the scalp or head

Hormonal changes and cold weather can make seborrheic dermatitis worse.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin can have many potential causes. Sometimes, the cause is obvious. Other times, figuring out why you have dry skin may take some sleuthing.

Here are some of dry skin's potential causes:

• Age. It's normal for the skin to become drier over time, especially after age 40.
• Getting treated for cancer. Dry skin can be a side effect of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.
• Using certain medications, such as diuretics and statins (statins are drugs that treat cholesterol).
• Living in cold, wintry weather. The cold can dry out the skin.
• Receiving kidney dialysis. This is because dialysis removes extra moisture from your body.
• Taking hot showers.
• Using soaps or harsh cleaners that remove oil from the skin.

Risk Factors for Dry Skin

Certain risk factors can increase the chance that you may develop dry skin. Those include:

• Being over the age of 40 (after age 40, your body produces less sebum, an oil that keeps the skin soft)
• Being HIV-positive
• Having black or brown skin
• Having certain chronic health conditions, like diabetes or thyroid disease
• Having fair skin
• Having certain skin conditions that are associated with very dry skin (such as eczema and psoriasis)
• Having certain nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc, or iron
• Smoking

How to Get Rid of Dry Skin

With the discomfort that dry skin can cause, you will most likely want to find relief. There are many different moisturizing choices out there, and figuring out which are best for dry skin can get confusing. An ointment or cream is a better choice than a lotion because ointments and creamers are more effective for dry skin and less irritating.

Thicker ointments or creams should help dry skin more than thinner ones. Look for an ointment or cream that contains at least one of the following:

• Dimethicone
• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Jojoba oil
• Lactic acid
• Lanolin
• Mineral oil
• Petrolatum
• Shea butter

Other measures you can take to treat dry skin can include:

• Look for fragrance-free skin care products. Fragranced products may be too irritating for dry skin. Instead, look for products that say they are fragrance-free. Keep in mind that fragrance-free and unscented are not the same thing. Unscented products may have chemicals that hide odors, and those chemicals can still bother the skin. They can also remove oils that help the skin, which is why you want to look for a fragrance-free label.
• Use warm (not hot) water in baths and showers. Limit your bathing time to five to 10 minutes, to lower your exposure to water temperature that may dry out the skin.
• Use your ointment or cream immediately after bathing or washing your hands. This is the ideal time to retain the existing moisture on your skin. To cut down on a greasy look or feel, put the product in your hands and rub it in until your hands and the affected area no longer feel greasy.
• Buy a humidifier, if needed. If you live or work in an area with low humidity, you may need a humidifier to add more moisture to the air. In addition to portable humidifiers, you can find out if your home heating system has a humidifier.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your skin continues to itch and feel irritated even after using over-the-counter products, it's time to let a healthcare provider know. This may include seeing a dermatologist. It could be that you need a stronger product to help your dry skin. That your dry skin is a sign of something else, like a chronic skin condition, is another possibility.

Summary

Dry skin can cause scaling, cracking, and irritation. It results from aging, cold weather, taking certain medications, and having certain chronic conditions. You're more prone to dry skin if you are over the of age 40, have black or brown skin (or fair skin), and if you smoke. Some ways to get rid of dry skin include applying ointments or creams (regularly and also after you bathe) and using fragrance-free skin products. You should see a health provider, like a dermatologist, for dry skin if you try over-the-counter products and still have dry skin irritation or concerns.