Skin Dryness, Is It Dangerous?

Without exposing your skin to any chemicals, you may notice that its texture has suddenly become rough, a lot of itching, Your hands are full of cracks and stains, It is natural for you to panic because any female strives to always have her hands as soft as children’s skin and with a tidy appearance.

Do not worry, Today we will tell you about the causes of dry skin in general, not just your hands, How do you treat it and secure yourself in the future without trouble?

First, you should know what this skin problem is.

So what is dry skin or xeroderma?

It is a skin problem accompanied by itching and cracking. Dry skin can occur for several reasons, Your skin may be naturally dry but even if you have oily skin, You can also get dry skin from time to time.

These are areas of your skin that do not have enough moisture to keep them soft. They may look like rough, scaly patches of your skin. sometimes accompanied by itching, In some cases, the dry skin cracks so badly that it bleeds.

With age, the moisture content of the skin naturally decreases, and by the age of sixty, Almost everyone suffers from dry skin.

This problem can affect any part of your body but usually affects the hands, arms and legs.

Before you get to know the treatment, you must be aware of the causative factors to avoid them.

• Age: Elderly people are more likely to develop dry skin. as you grow older, Your pores naturally produce less oil and fluid, This increases your risk of dry skin.
• Certain conditions: You’re more likely to develop one of the scourges of dry skin, such as eczema or allergic contact dermatitis, if you have a history of these conditions or other allergic diseases that run in your family.
• Seasons of the year: Dry skin appears more during the fall and winter seasons. When the humidity levels in the air are relatively low. in summer, The high levels of moisture help prevent your skin from drying out.
• Wrong shower habits: For example, frequent showers or washing with very hot water increase your risk of dry skin.

And the most important symptoms that you should watch out for:

Dry skin is often temporary or seasonal, so you notice its appearance only in the summer season, Or you may need to treat it long-term. Signs and symptoms of dry skin vary depending on your age, your health condition, and the color of your skin, Your location and your exposure to the sun.

Symptoms include:

• You feel pain in the skin
• Rough patches
• Itch
• peeling of the skin, either mild or severe, Which appears particularly unbeautifully on dark-colored skin.
• Peeling may develop fissures and cracks may develop bleeding.
• If your skin is very dry, A rash may appear on your skin. The rash can have small pimple-like bumps, are itchy, swollen, or a different color than the surrounding skin, They are usually red to purple.

How do you control these symptoms and limit their exacerbation?

To treat any problem, you must treat the cause, and thus keeping your skin hydrated is the best way to deal with the symptoms of dry skin.

Therefore, a moisturizer should always accompany you

The best time of day to apply moisturizer to your skin is:

• morning after you wake up.
• before sleep.
• After showering or washing when your skin is damp.

What can you do to treat dry skin?

Here are some ways to combat dry skin that are effective if you apply them consistently:

• Shower for 5 to 10 minutes a day as a maximum. if you shower more than that, You are removing too much of the oily layer from your skin and that causes it to lose moisture. Use lukewarm water instead of hot water. Hot water can remove natural oils.
• Limit your use of soap. If necessary, choose soap-free cleansers. Stay away from deodorant soaps, scented soaps, and alcohol-based products, which can strip the natural oils from your skin.
• Apply moisturizer right after showering and after washing your hands. This helps seal the spaces between your skin cells and lock in moisture while your skin is still damp.
• If the greasy feel of Vaseline or thick creams bothers you, Rub a small amount in your hands a little, then spread it on the affected areas so that neither your hands nor the affected areas feel greasy.
• Never scratch your skin, A moisturizer can relieve itching. You can also use a cold pack or compress to relieve itching on the affected spots.
• It is also important to choose the right type of moisturizer for your skin type. If your skin is very dry, Look for a Vaseline-based product.
• Use fragrance-free laundry detergents and avoid fabric softeners.
• Avoid wearing wool and other fabrics that can irritate your skin.

Does your diet affect the moisture of your skin? Yes honey of course! Certain foods and drinks can draw water from your body and cause dehydration.

Also, foods that contain beta-carotene, zinc, vitamin H, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids strengthen the lipid barrier that keeps your skin hydrated from within.

So what should I eat or drink to treat or protect myself from dry skin?

1. Firstly, I drink more water.More than 70 percent of our bodies are made up of water including our skin. In order for your body’s metabolism to function properly, it needs an adequate supply of fluids between two and three liters of water per day and the benefits will be visible on your skin clearly.
2. Fats? surely, But the right fat.The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that you find in fatty fish like salmon, as well as in nettle seeds and flaxseed oil, can replenish the skin’s lipid reserves from the inside and form a natural moisture barrier.
3. Bright colored fruits and vegetables. The bright color of foods such as apricots and carrots as well as yellow and red bell peppers indicate high levels of beta-carotene. It is an effective precursor to Vitamin A and is effective in preventing dryness and aging of the skin.
4. Zinc rich foods. Dry, cracked skin that is accompanied by pain or itching can indicate a zinc deficiency. You can find zinc in wheat sprouts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, hard cheese, fish and meat, as well as oats and lentils.
5. Foods you should avoid. If you have dry skin, it’s best to avoid anything that saps your body’s moisture like alcohol, caffeine in coffee and tea, and salt. The harmful fats in fried or baked foods can constrict the veins and thus impede blood circulation in the deeper layers of the skin.

Skin peeling is a common occurrence that often does not require concern, but when should you see a doctor?

Most cases of dry skin respond well to lifestyle changes and home remedies. You may need help from a general practitioner or a dermatologist if:

• You take care of your skin, but your signs and symptoms persist.
• When your skin becomes inflamed or painful.
• You develop dry skin as a side effect of cancer treatment.
• Your condition makes you so uncomfortable that it distracts you from your daily routine.
• You have open sores or infection through scrapes.
• You have large areas of scaly skin.

If left untreated, dermatitis will get worse. Early treatment will help you recover faster and easier. It will also reduce the risk of serious complications, such as open wounds and skin infections.

Talk to your doctor about how to prevent and protect your skin from drying out, especially with inflammation and eczema.