Dry skin can be uncomfortable and unattractive. It often shows up as rough, red, and itchy patches in places of the body that show -- arms, hands, lower legs, ankles. But it's also common on the soles of the feet, thighs, and the abdomen.
It can lead to cracks and fissures in the skin. And because cold air outside and heated air inside cause low humidity, it's often worse in winter -- just in time for the holiday party season.
Some dry skin is hereditary. Some comes with aging, as natural skin oils diminish. Some can accompany medical conditions such as asthma or thyroid disease. But daily skin care habits such as washing with harsh soaps, using sanitizing or harsh cleansing agents, and scrubbing can also cause or worsen dry skin.
Since most dry skin is due to external causes, it responds well to external skin care treatment. Just making a few adjustments to your daily skin care routine can help. No matter what the cause, there are many things you can do to make dry skin smooth and supple.
Dry Skin Care Strategies When You Wash
Treating dry skin is important because extensively dry skin can lead to dermatitis, a more severe inflammation of the skin. Try these tips for the bath or shower:
- Skip long, hot showers. Hot water strips oils from the skin faster than warm water. Long showers or baths actually result in dried out skin. Try to limit yourself to a single 5- or 10-minute warm shower or bath a day.
- Use a gentle cleanser or shower gel with moisturizer. Go for unscented, soap-free, or mild soap cleansers instead of harsh cleansers.
- Moisturize while skin is moist. Pat your skin with a towel after you shower or wash your face or hands, leaving it damp. Apply a moisturizer within three to five minutes of washing to lock moisture in your skin.
Ingredients to Look for in a Moisturizer
It's not necessary to pay a fortune for a good, rich moisturizer. Read the label. Ingredients that may be helpful for dry skin include:
- Ceramides. Ceramides help the skin hold water and soothe dry skin. Synthetic ceramides may mimic the natural substances in the outermost layer of skin that help keep moisture in.
- Dimethicone and glycerin. These draw water to the skin and retain it there.
- Hyaluronic acid. Like ceramides, hyaluronic acid helps skin hold water.
- Lanolin, mineral oil, and petroleum jelly. These keep water in the skin that has been absorbed during bathing.
Be sure to apply sunscreen to areas of your body that are exposed to the sun during the day. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.
5 Lifestyle Tips for Relieving Dry Skin
These strategies can also help make your skin supple and smooth:
- Plug in a humidifier at home to help keep skin hydrated when indoor air is dry during winter months.
- Wear cotton and other natural fibers. Wool, synthetics, or other fabrics can be scratchy and irritating.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat omega-3 foods. Essential fatty acids can help fortify the skin's natural oil-retaining barriers. Foods rich in omega-3 include cold-water fish (salmon, halibut, sardines), flax, walnuts, and safflower oil.
- For itching or inflammation, apply a cool compress or a hydrocortisone cream on the area for a week. If these don't provide relief, talk to your doctor.
Dry Skin: Signs of Dermatitis
Some flaking along with redness may be a sign of an underlying dermatitis. This includes:
- Seborrheic dermatitis. This type involves a red, scaly, itchy rash on various areas of the body, particularly those areas that contain many oil glands. Seborrheic dermatitis can occur as scaling on the scalp, eyebrows, and sides of the nose.
- Allergic contact dermatitis. This occurs when the skin comes into contact with a substance that causes an allergic reaction, such as poison ivy. Allergic contact dermatitis of the hands often causes scaling on the fingers.
- Atopic dermatitis. Also known as eczema, this is a long-lasting type of dermatitis that often runs in families. It also may cause excessively dry, itchy skin.
- Athlete's foot. In many cases, athlete's foot, a fungal infection, shows up as itchy, flaky skin on the soles of the feet and between the toes. Untreated, it can progress to skin inflammation and redness typical of dermatitis.
WebMD Medical Reference
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medline Plus: "Dry skin."
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: "Dry skin (xerosis)."
Family Doctor: "Skin Problems: Dry, Itchy Skin."
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): "Dermatologists' Top 10 Tips for Relieving Dry Skin," "Winter Skin Care Guidelines," "Eczema Bathing and Moisturizing Guidelines."
Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD, dermatologist, Egan, Minn.; associate clinical professor of dermatology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis.
Dermatology Nursing, Oct. 1, 2006.
Cleveland Clinic: "Dry Skin/Itchy Skin."
Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on October 24, 2011
© 2010 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
Top Dry Skin Related Articles
Skin & Makeup Quiz
Are you doing right by your skin? Take the Skin and Makeup Quiz to learn how to make the most of your beauty regimen.Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are a form of clinical research that follow a defined protocol that has been carefully developed to evaluate a clinical question. Clinical research is a type of study of clinical or biomedical questions through the use of human subjects. Clinical trials are divided into five types: treatment trials, prevention trials, diagnostic trials, screening trials, and quality of life trial.Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.Dry Skin Quiz
Dry, itching, flaky skin? Take the Dry Skin Quiz to learn what's causing your dry skin and what you can do about it beyond lotions and creams.See How Your Life Affects Your Skin
See how your life affects your skin. The choices you make every day affect the appearance of your skin. Learn how to avoid dry skin and wrinkles and to keep your skin healthy with these helpful beauty tips.Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain by the pituitary gland. Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle but may include constipation, memory loss, hair loss, and depression. There are a variety of causes of hypothyroidism, and treatment depends on the cause.Itching (Pruritus)
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching including infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.Kidney (Renal) Failure
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, or medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure include sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis.
Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones.Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
Skin Rash
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.Skin & Beauty: Anti-Aging Tips & Secrets to Look Younger
Look younger, fight aging, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and skin aging by practicing good skin care. Use of moisturizing cream daily can help women and men maintain a more youthful appearance. Fillers and laser treatments can help you look young, too.Skin Biopsy
During a skin biopsy, a piece of skin is removed under a local anesthesia and examined using a microscope. The different types of skin biopsy include shave biopsy, punch biopsy, and excisional biopsy. Skin biopsies are performed to diagnose skin growths, skin conditions, and skin cancers.Skin Quiz
What's that all over you? Skin, of course! Test your knowledge of your most amazing organ with the Skin Quiz!Skin Conditions Below the Waist
Skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and allergies may produce redness and other symptoms. See your dermatologist right away if you develop itchy skin, rashes, pimples, or other skin conditions. Dermatology experts are best if you suspect skin cancer or other serious skin disease.Skin Tag
A skin tag is a small benign growth of skin that projects from the surrounding skin. Skin tags can vary in appearance (smooth, irregular, flesh colored, dark pigment, raised). Skin tags generally do not cause symptoms unless repeatedly irritated. Treatment for skin tag varies depending on the location on the body.Thyroid Disorders
There are several types of thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiters, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Symptoms vary by condition. Diagnosis is made with blood tests, scans, ultrasound, or biopsy. Treatments depend on the disorder and can include medication or surgery.Skin Sins: 15 Ways to Wreck Your Skin
Avoid skin damage by shunning bad habits like tanning, popping pimples, exfoliating too much, poor diet, smoking, and using the wrong skincare products. Sun damage and other kinds of skin damage are avoidable if you stay away from these bad habits.What Does a Dermatologist Do?
A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the hair, nails, and skin. They can diagnose and treat more than 3,000 diseases of the skin, hair, and nails, as well as cosmetic concerns.Xerosis Picture
Xerosis. Xerosis is the medical term for abnormally dry skin. It’s often an inherited condition but can also be a sign of aging. It is characterized by rough, dry skin that often cracks. Try to seal in the moisture from a lukewarm bath or shower with a cream or oil-based product, and moisturize your skin throughout the day. Avoid long hot showers as they are very drying.