Only a board-certified dermatologist has these credentials. By 60 years of age nearly everyone has dry skin. If you also take certain medication, undergo cancer treatment, or receive dialysis, you can develop excessively dry skin. Everyday things, such as using deodorant soaps and harsh cleaning products, can strip oils and fats from our skin. Taking long, hot showers can also dry your skin.
Living in a cold, dry place dries the skin, too. You can often heal dry skin by making some changes, which includes moisturizing several times a day. When the skin continues to lose water and cannot heal itself, skin can become excessively dry. Age, certain medications, and disease can also cause skin to become excessively dry.
Certain people have a higher risk of developing excessively dry skin. If any of the following apply to you, you may. How many of the following apply? Middle age or older : With age, our skin produces less sebum, an oil that keeps skin soft and youthful. By your 40s, the amount of sebum your body makes drops dramatically. Dry skin can also result from underlying medical conditions. Dermatitis is the medical term for extremely dry skin. There are several different types of dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis develops when your skin reacts to something it touches, causing localized inflammation. Seborrheic dermatitis occurs when your skin produces too much oil. It results in a red and scaly rash, usually on your scalp. This type of dermatitis is common in infants. Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema. Other conditions, such as psoriasis and type 2 diabetes , can also cause your skin to dry out.
Dry skin can affect anyone. But some risk factors raise your chances of developing dry skin, including:. In some cases, they may refer you to a skin specialist or dermatologist. Along with lifestyle remedies, they may recommend over-the-counter or prescription ointments, creams, or lotions to treat your symptoms.
If your skin is extremely dry, look for a petrolatum-based product. You might consider switching to a lighter, water-based lotion during the summer months if your skin becomes less dry then. Get chemicals, greases, and other substances on your hands. Choose non-irritating clothes and laundry detergent.
When our skin is dry and raw even clothes and laundry detergent can be irritating. To avoid this: Wear cotton or silk under your clothing made of wool or another material that feels rough. Stay warm without cozying up to a fireplace or other heat source.
Sitting in front of an open flame or other heat source can dry your skin. Add moisture to the air. Plug in a humidifier. Your skin should start to feel better quickly.
If these changes do not bring relief, you may want to see a dermatologist. Very dry skin can require a prescription ointment or cream. Dry skin also can be a sign of a skin condition that needs treatment. A dermatologist can examine your skin and explain what can help reduce your discomfort. Images Video and infographic property of the American Academy of Dermatology. How to treat dry skin: Tips for relief Dry skin can flake, itch, crack, and even bleed.
Dry skin? Stop using skin care products that contain any of the following:. Skin moisturizers, which rehydrate the top layer of skin cells and seal in the moisture, are the first step in combating dry skin. They contain three main types of ingredients. Humectants, which help attract moisture, include ceramides pronounced ser-A-mids , glycerin, sorbitol, hyaluronic acid, and lecithin.
Another set of ingredients — for example, petrolatum petroleum jelly , silicone, lanolin, and mineral oil — helps seal that moisture within the skin. Emollients, such as linoleic, linolenic, and lauric acids, smooth skin by filling in the spaces between skin cells. In general, the thicker and greasier a moisturizer, the more effective it will be. Some of the most effective and least expensive are petroleum jelly and moisturizing oils such as mineral oil. Because they contain no water, they're best used while the skin is still damp from bathing, to seal in the moisture.
Other moisturizers contain water as well as oil, in varying proportions. These are less greasy and may be more cosmetically appealing than petroleum jelly or oils. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
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