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How do I Treat Dry Skin?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Dry skin can be a symptom of a number of different conditions. Therefore, the same treatment methods won’t always apply. There are some good general guidelines to take care of skin dryness. Yet people should always see a doctor if these things don’t work and dryness persists.

Some people experience dry skin on a seasonal basis, especially in winter, and others seem to have it year round. It might be accompanied by itching or rash. Some of the key causes of this condition include fairly constant exposure to low humidity environments, especially those who use central air or heating, take frequent long hot showers and baths, age (dryness increases as people age), sun damage, and exposure to chemicals in soaps and detergents. There are medical causes of skin dryness too, and chief among these is hypothyroidism.

Simple moisturizers can aid in dealing with dry skin.
Simple moisturizers can aid in dealing with dry skin.

The first thing to do to address dry skin would be to try to eliminate some of its causes. People who use central air conditioning or heating can help add moisture to the air with use of a humidifier or vaporizer. Bathing and showering should be done in warm water and should not exceed 10-15 minutes a day. There are now many wonderful alternative laundry soaps and skin soaps that have few ingredients and don’t contain tons of chemicals, dyes or perfumes. Making these small switches may help the problem.

Central air conditioning can make skin drier.
Central air conditioning can make skin drier.

Some additional suggestions for dealing with dry skin include using a simple moisturizer. Again, this shouldn’t be one laden with lots of extra chemicals, and some people use things as simple as olive oil. There is some controversy on the recommendation of using moisturizers with mineral oil, since many feel this may deprive the skin of nutrients. People can shop around for a variety of moisturizers that don’t contain this and can still provide plenty of moisture.

Another product that may prove helpful is an exfoliant. This helps to remove dead skin, which is often very dry, and reveal new skin. Moisturizing should always follow exfoliation.

Eczema is a dry skin condition that can affect various places on the body.
Eczema is a dry skin condition that can affect various places on the body.

When dry skin presents with itching, doctors have different recommendations on how to treat this. It really does depend on cause, but dry inflamed skin might be treated with over the counter hydrocortisone. This should reduce inflammation, and if it doesn’t, it’s quite important to see a physician. It’s possible a stronger hydrocortisone solution is needed, or that the treatment is not adequate for the cause.

People with dry, inflamed skin may find relief using hydrocortisone cream.
People with dry, inflamed skin may find relief using hydrocortisone cream.

Clearly, conditions like hypothyroidism aren’t going to clear up on their own. Even when people are doing all they can to care for their skin, it may remain dry. Doctors can determine if thyroid levels are low with a simple blood test. The condition is usually easily treated with thyroid hormone supplementation, and may improve look and feel of skin. When this condition is not present, doctors can look for other medical causes of dry skin.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon999094

I drink lots of water, but still my skin is dry. What could be the possible reason for that?

rallenwriter

If you only get dry skin during certain times of the year, you might want to consider getting a dry skin facial.

I always do that during the winter when my skin gets dry and flaky, and it is a total lifesaver.

LittleMan

What are the best dry skin products for a man with dry skin on the body? I always feel itchy, and my skin feels tight, but I don't know if I need a dry skin lotion or cream or what. Or what the difference is, frankly. So what should I get?

StreamFinder

I used to get really dry skin on my face and I could not for the life of me keep it moisturized until I figured out that it was actually caused by my toner.

I thought that I needed a really strong toner, since I have fairly blemish-prone skin, but what was actually happening was the toner was stripping my skin, which not only made it dry, but also irritated it, producing blemishes.

Once I stopped using the toner everything cleared up, although I did have about a week of an adjustment period when my skin went totally downhill. However, after that week, it looked better than ever! So if you have continuously dry skin on your face, consider whether one of your products could be causing it.

Even if you've used a product since forever (like I had), your skin could have changed, and the product could no longer be suitable.

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    • Simple moisturizers can aid in dealing with dry skin.
      By: picsfive
      Simple moisturizers can aid in dealing with dry skin.
    • Central air conditioning can make skin drier.
      By: carroteater
      Central air conditioning can make skin drier.
    • Eczema is a dry skin condition that can affect various places on the body.
      By: quayside
      Eczema is a dry skin condition that can affect various places on the body.
    • People with dry, inflamed skin may find relief using hydrocortisone cream.
      By: Konstantin Kulikov
      People with dry, inflamed skin may find relief using hydrocortisone cream.
    • Using a humidifier may help treat dry skin.
      By: StockPhotosArt
      Using a humidifier may help treat dry skin.
    • Petroleum jelly is a moisturizer that alleviates dry skin.
      By: Graça Victoria
      Petroleum jelly is a moisturizer that alleviates dry skin.
    • Handmade soap naturally contains soothing glycerin.
      By: Hayati Kayhan
      Handmade soap naturally contains soothing glycerin.
    • Hydrocortisone cream can be used to alleviate the inflammation, itching, and pain associated with many skin irritations.
      By: carroteater
      Hydrocortisone cream can be used to alleviate the inflammation, itching, and pain associated with many skin irritations.
    • Dry skin on the hands can develop from frequently washing dishes.
      By: kmiragaya
      Dry skin on the hands can develop from frequently washing dishes.