Dry skin
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Dry skin isn’t usually serious, but it can be uncomfortable and unsightly.
Serious dry skin conditions — an inherited group of disorders called ichthyosis — can sometimes be disfiguring and upsetting. Fortunately, most dry skin is caused by environmental factors that can be at least partially controlled. These factors include hot or cold weather, low humidity, and soaking in hot water.
You can do a lot on your own to improve your skin, including using moisturizers and avoiding harsh, drying soaps. Chronic or severe dry skin problems may require evaluation by a doctor who specializes in skin (dermatologist).
Dry skin is often temporary — you get it only in winter, for example — but it may be a lifelong condition. Signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health, where you live, time spent outdoors and the cause of the problem. Dry skin is likely to cause one or more of the following:
Most cases of dry skin respond well to lifestyle and home remedies. See your doctor if:
Dry skin (xerosis) often has an environmental cause. Certain diseases also can significantly affect your skin. Potential causes of dry skin include:
Anyone can develop dry skin. But you may be more likely to develop the condition if you:
Dry skin is usually harmless. But when it’s not cared for, dry skin may lead to:
These complications are most likely to occur when your skin’s normal protective mechanisms are severely compromised. For example, severely dry skin can cause deep cracks or fissures, which can open and bleed, providing an avenue for invading bacteria.
Drink plenty of water, don’t smoke, and wash your face and body each day with a gentle hypoallergenic soap for healthy-looking skin, says Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist.
And, after bathing, moisturize with a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer when you’re done to help the skin hydrate.
With so many products from which to choose, how do you pick the right moisturizer? Dr. Davis says hypoallergenic is the key.
“Unscented doesn’t necessarily mean that it doesn’t have fragrance. Oftentimes unscented just means more chemicals,” says Dr. Davis.
What ingredient should you look for?
The most inert natural hypoallergenic product that you can find in a moisturizer is petrolatum as in petroleum jelly.
Dr. Davis has another important tip for healthy skin care that could potentially save your life: “Please remember to wear you sunscreen.”
Try these tips to keep skin from getting excessively dry:
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Dry skin
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