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Dry or rough skin

Description

Skin dryness is a problem faced by people with naturally dry skin as well as those with an oily skin.

Dry skin is rough to feel and becomes itchy, marked or scars easily.

Causes

A person with natural dry skin will experience more dryness with weather change. Few other factors make it worse.

  • Using harsh chemicals in the form of cosmetics, creams and soaps on skin makes it dry.
  • Hot showers take up all moisture from skin leaving it dry.
  • Frequent hand and face washing.
  • Allergy to clothing or jewelry.
  • Having a job that involves working with cement and paints will affect the skin.
  • Taking medicines for cholesterol and controlling blood pressure by diuretics also make the skin go dry.
Risk factors

There is a high chance of skin dryness if:

  • There is presence of a skin disease in family like psoriasis or eczema.
  • Old age makes skin go dry due to less oil production by skin pores.
  • Having a medical condition like diabetes and its’ associated dry and poor-healing skin, vitamins deficiency with skin and nail problems and hypothyroidism related skin roughness.
Symptoms

Skin with dryness will show:

  • Itchy patches that turn red or white due to scratching.
  • Hard and Scaly skin.
  • Rough like sandpaper.
  • Flaky or cracked skin is painful.
  • Wrinkly skin giving an aged look.
  • Dry eyes and less tear production.
Diagnosis

Dry skin is noticed easily, but proper examination by a dermatologist will help to rule out the root cause.

  • You will be asked about any food or medicine that causes skin itching and dryness, if wearing jewels or specific fabric makes the skin go red and dry.
  • Diagnostic tests will help to check diabetes, vitamin deficiency or hypothyroidism that might be the reason for skin dryness.
Management

Mostly, over the counter moisturizers and eye ointments are sufficient to treat occasional dryness of skin and eyes.

Additionally, some simple tips will help you:

  1. Drinking water to hydrate skin.
  2. Eating fresh fruits and raw greens to get freshness on skin.
  3. Taking warm water showers instead of steaming hot ones.
  4. Limiting skin contact with soap and water.
  5. Using milder skin products.
  6. Moisturize the skin after a bath or wash.
When to consult a doctor?

When recommended treatment does not solve the problem, visit a skin doctor for expert advice.

Available Medicine for Dry or rough skin

Polytar 150ml

Rs.175.95

GlaxoSmithKline

Lacri-lube

Rs.220

Alere