How to Deal with Skin Dryness?
Dryness
changes the skin texture from soft to rough, flaky and itchy. Moisturisers with
hydrating and calming properties can be of great help in treating dry
skin.
Skin dryness, a common problem, occurs when your skin lacks enough moisture. It causes your skin to feel tight, experience cracks, and have a rough, flaky texture. Usually harmless, dry skin only causes temporary discomfort. Notably, various factors like your age, climate and health conditions are responsible for the lack of moisture within the layers of your skin. Read on to learn the effective ways of rehydrating your skin.
What Causes Skin Dryness?
The
following are the factors that cause dry skin:
- Your
skin has moisture-producing oil glands that dry up as you age. Owing to
this, fat and collagen in your skin also dry up which leads to thinning
skin.
- A
skin problem like eczema or a medical condition, such as thyroid, can
cause dry skin.
- Your
environment can affect the hydration level of your skin. Climatic
conditions with low humidity and heavy winds can cause skin dryness.
- Certain
professions that require you to work outdoors or with chemicals may lead
to dry skin.
- Some habits
like washing hands frequently can also cause skin dryness.
Dealing with Skin Dryness
In most
cases, moisturisers can effectively smoothen and soften dry skin. They can help
prevent cracking and work to recreate the skin’s natural barrier. Available as
ointments, creams (like Prorac
Plus Cream), lotions and oil, moisturisers
include emollients that hydrate your skin. Some moisturisers also feature
hyaluronic acid, which increases the moisture level in the skin.
One such cream is Prorac Plus Cream, which not only locks in moisture but also attracts hydration to your skin (such as glycerine). You should also ensure that your moisturizer doesn’t have fragrances and/or ingredients that lead to skin dehydration, such as isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol or sulphates.
In case
of extremely dry skin that causes itching or is prone to cracking, your skin
specialist may prescribe a topical steroid to decrease the swelling or
inflammation. To treat severe cases, the doctor may also recommend oral or
injectable medication.
When to See a Dermatologist?
If your
skin does not feel better after applying moisturisers or gets worse, then it is
time to visit a dermatologist. The skin specialist will enquire about your
symptoms and family’s medical history, examine your skin or order some tests to
diagnose the cause accurately and devise the treatment plan accordingly.
How to Prevent Skin Dryness?
The following are some tips that you can follow to prevent skin dryness:
- Avoid
smoking as nicotine dries out your skin
- Apply
a mild, fragrance-free, moisturising non-soap cleanser
- Bathe
with lukewarm water
- Manage
stress, which is known to aggravate eczema and other skin conditions that
cause dry skin
- Minimise
sun exposure, which strips the skin of its natural oil and moisture
- Moisturise
as soon as you finish bathing
- Pat
dry your skin with a soft towel
- Prevent
dehydration by drinking at least 2 litres of water every day
- Use a
humidifier to add moisture to the air inside your home
Generally, skin dryness is a harmless problem that can cause temporary discomfort till the skin is rehydrated. Using fragrance- and sulphate-free moisturisers that are rich in emollients are the best to restore the skin’s moisture level to make it supple. Also, one should avoid smoking, use a humidifier and manage stress to prevent skin dryness.
