Dry Skin Itching

Dry skin is characterized by the appearance of fine lines and skin looks flaky. Dry skin is called xerosis by dermatologists. In this article we will deal with the problems of dry skin and steps taken to avoid dry skin.

Dry skin results in itching. This can create problems in your daily activities. Scratching can induce rough skin which is thickened and can crack.

Skin has an outermost layer which forms a sort of wrap this is called corneum. This layer has dead cells embedded in them with a mixture of lipids which are formed by the underlying cells. The oils help in preventing the water from going out of the body. It also prevents harmful germs from entering the body. This layer keeps the skin soft and smooth.

Causes for dry skin can be many. But one of the most important causes is that little amount of water present in the stratum corneum. This can be because of the absence of the oils in this layer. With the lack of oil the skin loses the water readily on exposure, making the skin dry.

Dry skin can occur on face, legs and arms. It is one of the most common skin problems faced by millions today.

However, there are simple steps which can be followed to avoid dry skin condition or to revert back the dry skin to healthy skin. These steps are as follows

Moisturization for dry skin

When you apply a moisturizer, it seals the water content in your body and prevents the moisture from escaping. Baby oil should be used for extremely dry skin conditions. Rubbing your skin may prove harmful and increase the dryness so it is always advised to pat your skin while applying. The air of your surrounding must also be kept as moist as possible to avoid dry skin.

Bathing for dry skin

It is advised not to have bath in hot water during winter seasons. Hot water bathing can remove the oils from the skin’s outermost layer making the underlying skin lose its moisture thus making it dry. Warm water should be preferably used and your bathing time shouldn’t exceed 15 minutes as the longer you take bath the longer is the chance that oils are removed from your skin.


Soap for dry skin

The soap which you apply on your skin should contain moisturizers. This helps in combating against dry skin conditions. It is advised to try a series of soaps until you find a soap that perfectly suits your skin. Soaps that are antibacterial and those containing deodorants are said to be more harmful on the skin than compared to those which do not contain these ingredients.


Clothes for dry skin

The clothes you wear also play an important role. If you wear pants that are too tight, it may cause irritation. So it is advised to wear loose fitting clothes and which are made of natural materials like cotton or silk.

Evening primrose oil for dry skin

This oil can be applied on the skin. It is found to be very effective in fighting against many skin disorders. This treatment of evening primrose oil will definitely have a great effect on dry skin.

By following these simple day to day steps, dry skin condition can be combated easily.

Dry Skin Problems

Dry skin is the common problem with majority of the population, due to the exposure to dust and pollution in the environment. Inactiveness of oil producing glands in the skin makes the skin to lose its softness which is also another cause for dry skin.

Dry skin occurs because of various reasons which include

Harsh soaps or detergents. Frequent swimming in chlorinated water may trigger allergy for some people. This causes rashes on your skin.
Cosmetics, moisturizing creams which you use may contain very harsh chemicals that might not suit your skin leading to dry skin.
Not drinking enough quantity of water.
Seasonal changes especially during winters the dry skin problems aggravate.
Nutritional deficiencies because of poor diet.
Excess smoking, caffeine intake, alcohol intake and drugs. All these change the elasticity of the skin.
Thyroid disorders cause dry skin as it reduces the activity of sweat and oil glands.
Very rarely due to your medications taken for some other problems may induce dry skin
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Some of the problems faced by dry skin are

The skin becomes rough or looks cracked. Sometimes it may even bleed which are signs of extremely dry skin.
Skin is dull in appearance. Also wrinkles appear at a very early age.
Very itchy feeling sometimes disturbing your daily routine also.
Severe redness, inflamed or tenderness in the skin.
Other severe problems you may face are Psoriasis, fungal infection or eczema.

Dry skin can be prevented by

Avoiding hot water and using only warm water for taking bath.
Apply good moisturizer immediately after your shower while the skin is wet because moisturizers work better on moist skin.
Drinking at least 8-9 glasses of water per day. Eating a proper healthy diet.
Applying a good moisturizer during winters and using sunscreen creams during summer. You should try avoiding scented moisturizers.
Selecting proper soaps and make up things that suits your skin and also which has less chemical contents.
Avoid smoking and alcohol and also limit your caffeine intake.
Seek your dermatologist when your problems are smaller as it is better to be safe than sorry.
Use skin friendly and non irritating fabrics like cotton materials. Washing your clothes with unscented detergents may reduce your skin irritation.
Using humidifier especially in winter helps to reduce the amount of moisture lost from the skin through evaporation. Sleep for at least 8 hours a day.

Home Remedies for dry skin

Gentle massage of almond oil mixed with olive oil applied before going to bed can relieve from dry skin
Applying Aloe Vera gel is very helpful for dry skin problems

How To Brighten Dull Skin

Skin may become dull in the area where blood circulation is slow or inadequate. Over-drinking and smoking can cause dullness of the skin. If you are not taking diet with essential vitamins, it can cause dullness of the skin. Stress can change the skin to become dull. Exposing the body to extreme temperatures, staying in the sun for prolonged periods and humid conditions can affect the brightness of the skin. If you expose your body to the wind carrying dirt and dust, your skin becomes dull. However, the look of the skin can certainly be improved if it looks dull. One of the best ways to improve a dull complexion is by exfoliation. The dead skin cells are removed by exfoliation, but this has to be done regularly. At least you should exfoliate twice a week. Regular exfoliation removes the oil and dead skin cells in the skin and improves the look of the skin. The dead skin cells can also clog the pores of the skin and cause any type of acne right from blackheads. The steps for improving the brightness of the skin are as follows.

To rejuvenate your complexion, you should stay well hydrated first. The skin loses its natural glow due to dehydration. You should drink enough water every day, to say at least eight glasses of water, so that your skin tissues remain well hydrated. You should avoid taking excess alcohol, or try to stop alcohol consumption, as alcohol causes fluid loss, dehydration and many other problems that can contribute to dullness of the skin. Alcohol also causes excretion essential minerals from the body.

The next important thing is that you should stop smoking. Tobacco contains nicotine. Nicotine causes constriction of the lumen of the blood vessels. This results in reduced blood flow. Finally the skin cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore the skin begins appearing with grey undertones. It looks lifeless and dull. Particularly, if smokers had started this habit in the early stages of their life, collagen synthesis in their body reduces, causing dry skin. It is therefore very necessary to quit smoking if you are really serious about the look of your skin.

Moisture is another factor which can affect the look of the skin. During the winter and monsoon seasons the harsh climate breaks down the sebum barrier causing the skin to look dull. This leads to loss of moisture and dull skin. To tide over this difficulty, use normal water for cleansing your skin and not hot water. Instead of soap, you can use a cleansing cream. Apply moisturizer to compensate the loss of moisture. You should do this immediately following the facial cleansing. Allow the moisturizer to stay on the skin for sufficient time so that maximum absorption of the moisture can take place.

Exfoliate your skin regularly to give a healthy look to your complexion. You can also dramatically improve the look of your skin if you can undergo microdermabrasion which a dermatologist or aesthetician can do. These procedures may be costly, but give good results.