Dry Skin: Eczema, Itchy Skin, Causes, Treatments, Relief, Types

OverviewWhat is dry skin?

Dry skin is skin that doesnt have enough moisture in it to keep it feeling soft and supple. People with dry skin may have rough-feeling patches that flake off or look scaly. It may or may not be itchy (pruritis). Severe dry skin may crack and bleed.

Dry skin is a common condition that affects people of all ages.

People who live in dry climates, work outside or wash their hands frequently get dry skin. Dry skin can be related to some health issues, like allergies, hormones, and diabetes.

Older people are more prone to dry skin for many reasons:

Your healthcare provider may use the medical term for dry skin: xerosis. Dry skin is often made worse during the winter because of low humidity. However, it can occur year-round. If its severe, dry skin can cause itching and rashes called dermatitis (inflammation of skin). There are several different types of dermatitis, including:

You can develop dry skin for many reasons, including:

Signs of dry skin include:

Dry skin is fairly easy to diagnose by its appearance. Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may order tests to check for health conditions that cause dry skin, such as:

Your healthcare provider may recommend moisturizing your skin with:

Skin thats too dry may crack open and bleed. These cracks expose the body to germs that can cause infections. Rarely, dry, itchy skin can indicate a more serious health problem, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Applying moisturizers every day can help soften dry skin. You can also try these at-home methods:

Most people can successfully treat dry skin by using a daily moisturizer and taking proactive steps like minimizing exposure to hot water and other irritants. Its a good idea to take care of dry skin for your overall health. Rough, dry skin can feel uncomfortable and look unsightly. And if your skin gets so dry skin that it cracks open, youll be more prone to infections.

You should call your healthcare provider if your skin:

If youre concerned about skin dryness, talk to your healthcare provider. You may want to ask:

Dry skin may look unattractive, and dry, itchy, flaky skin feels uncomfortable. Fortunately, dry skin causes few long-term problems. Although it is typically a chronic condition, it is very manageable. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent and soothe dry skin. If other conditions, like eczema, cause dry skin, your healthcare provider can prescribe medications and offer tips to treat the problem.

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Dry Skin: Eczema, Itchy Skin, Causes, Treatments, Relief, Types