Dry skin is not contagious or fatal, but it can be embarrassing and annoying. Patches of dry skin can appear red, flaky and become itchy. There is no single cause of dry skin as everything from environmental conditions, medical or drug interactions, or daily activities can cause skin to become dry. The condition can typically be resolved with a trip to the drug store.
Humidify
For many, dry skin is a seasonal concern. When temperatures get cold and furnaces fire up in the late fall and early winter, skin becomes cracked, flaky and irritated. Temperature and humidity are connected. Cold winter air is typically drier than summer or autumn air. In addition, furnaces tend to dry out living spaces, according to the home improvement chain Lowe’s. Using a whole-house or room humidifier reintroduces humidity into the air, regulating the room’s humidity. Cool mist humidifiers left on while sleeping can provide the greatest benefit, as the vapors can reach the body while it is typically still. Lowe’s cautions against hot and warm air humidifiers as they boil water and present a burn hazard to children.
Changing Shower Habits
The Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health and American Academy of Dermatologists all recommend using warm, but not hot, water when bathing. While hot water creates steam, according to the AAD, it removes natural skin oils which keep the skin regulated and moisturized. The Mayo Clinic advises to keep showers or baths to less than 15 minutes.
Change soaps
The choice of soap can also make an impact on the skin. Soaps, body washes or body scrubs with granules, antibacterial agents or deodorants can dry the skin. The Mayo Clinic recommends using bath products that have mild soap and added moisturizing properties. The National Institutes of Health suggests using as little soap as possible, limiting heavy soaping to areas which build up the highest concentration of oils and odor–face, armpits and genitals.
Moisturize
Moisturizing creams and lotions come in four different forms, according to AcneGuide.com. Occlusives, or products with petrolatum, oil, lanolin or zinc oxide, block water from escaping the skin. Humectants, or products with glycerin, urea or alphahydroxy acids, hydrates the skin by absorbing water from the air. Emollients, which contain fatty acids, reduce skin roughness and scaling by filling in gaps on the skin surface. Rejuvenators, with collagen, keratin or elastin, are skin rejuvenators which replace missing proteins in the skin. Occlusives and humectants are considered to be the most effective moisturizers for allaying the symptoms of dry skin. Avoid scented, colored or perfumed lotions, as the additives often cancel out the healing properties.
