skin dryness
Arabs Weather Medical site - What is dry skin?
What is dry skin?
Dry skin is a decrease in water from the layers of the skin, especially the superficial layer of the skin. This symptom affects both males and females and the elderly are the most vulnerable to dry skin.
Human skin is characterized by a soft and supple texture, due to the presence of water in it. To keep the water inside, the outer layer of the skin contains oils that reduce evaporation and maintain moisture in the lower layers of the skin. If these oils are exhausted, the so-called dry skin occurs.
Dry skin in children:
Your child may have dry skin due to so-called atopic dermatitis, or eczema. The line of treatment here is different.
Who are the people most vulnerable to dry skin?
Dry skin is more common in the elderly than in young people, because sweat glands and sebaceous glands function less, and hormonal changes occur in the body.
Diabetics are more likely to develop dry skin.
General tips on dry skin:
- Avoid using aloe vera juicer in treatment; it may make the skin more sensitive.
- Avoid causes that may lead to dry skin, such as hot water.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Do not neglect dry skin because it may be caused by organic disease.
- Use refreshments periodically for those over forty.
What causes dry skin?
The reason for dry skin is due to the lack of surface layer oils in the skin, and often occurs due to environmental conditions, the most important of which are:
- External and environmental factors.
- Cold temperatures.
- Low humidity, especially during winter.
- Excessive washing with soap.
- Excessive use of disinfectants and detergents containing alcohol.
- Thyroid diseases.
- Diabetes.
- Malnutrition.
- Dermatitis.
- Asthma or allergies.
- Excessive use of hot water during bathing or washing.
- Bathing excessively.
- Housing in low humidity or cold areas.
- Use a towel drying with excessive force.
- Use central heating in the workplace or home.
- Not drinking enough water.
- Excessive sun exposure.
- Exposure to chlorine in swimming pools.
- Dry skin may occur as a symptom of thyroid disease, ringworm and psoriasis.
What is rheumatism "cold disease" ... and its causes, symptoms and treatment?
What are the symptoms of dry skin?
- Itching and peeling of the skin (especially in the hands and feet) are the main symptoms of dry skin, but there are other symptoms, the most important of which are:
- Pain and reddish skin areas.
- Especially tight skin after bathing.
- Peel off the skin easily.
- Cracked lips.
How is skin dryness diagnosed?
Your doctor will examine your skin carefully and also ask you questions such as: When the problem started, the doctor may ask for some laboratory tests if he thinks the skin dryness was caused by another disease.
The diagnosis of the causative agent of dry skin depends on the following procedures:
- Clinical examination.
- Some laboratory tests.
- Take a biopsy of the skin and examine it.
What is the treatment of dry skin?
The goal of dry skin treatment is to relieve the symptoms associated with it.
- Dry skin at home can be treated with regular use of moisturizers, and often uses a moisturizing oil cream instead of a water cream that can increase symptoms.
- Before this you should change some behaviors that cause dry skin, such as dipping your hands with water for long periods of time.
- A topical cream containing 1% hydrocortisone can be used.If there is excessive itching, you can ask your pharmacist to give you the right cream.
- Coconut oil can also be used to maintain skin moisture and reduce itching.
- Gloves are recommended to speed up treatment.
When should a dermatologist visit?
You may have a bacterial, fungal or allergic infection, and germs can also enter through cracks in your skin and cause infection. It is recommended to consult a dermatologist in the following cases:
- Bleeding from the skin
- Peel off in large areas of skin
- A ring-shaped rash
- Skin condition does not improve within two weeks
- Skin condition worsens despite treatment
How to prevent dry skin?
- Bath with lukewarm water instead of hot water. Because hot water removes the oily dish in the skin.
- Reduce bath time; bathing from 5 to 10 minutes increases skin moisture; if longer, bathing will leave your skin less moist.
- Apply a moisturizer to the skin within three minutes after bathing.
- Cover your mouth and hands in winter to protect them from dehydration.
- Use lip balm before bed.
- Use a humidifier to humidify your home air.
- Drink large amounts of water.
- Shave your body after a shower to take advantage of the softer hair and reduce the inconvenience caused by shaving.
- Change the razor blades after fifth use.
What are the complications of dry skin?
- Dry skin is often harmless, but if not properly cared for, it may result in:
- Atopic dermatitis, or eczema
- Bacterial or fungal infection, because it will be easy to enter the bacteria from skin cracks
Browse on the official website