Understanding Dry Skin

Understanding Dry Skin

Let's start with some skin basics.  Normal, healthy skin is coated in a thin layer of natural lipids, or fatty substances.  They keep in moisture, leaving the skin soft and supple.
What causes dry skin -- or xerosis, as it's known medically? Usually, something in the environment -- or something you're doing to your skin -- is stripping away these fatty oils, leaving your skin unprotected.  Less often, the cause is internal; a health condition or genetic predisposition is making your skin dry out.
While patches of dry, itchy skin can appear anywhere, it's most common on the arms, hands, lower legs, and abdomen.  Dry skin is often felt more than it's seen, but on some people it can be noticeable and embarrassing.  For many African-Americans, dry skin is a special concern, since the flakes of skin can look gray, or "ashy," says Vesna Petronic-Rosic, MD, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at the University of Chicago Medical School.
If untreated, dry skin can sometimes lead to dermatitis -- inflammation of the skin -- swelling, and infection.  The good news is that just as most causes of dry skin are external, most cures for dry skin are external.  With careful dry skin care, you can usually solve the problem.

Causes of Dry Skin in Winter

Knowing the reasons behind this ugly, painful condition will arm you for battle against Old Man Winter. Know some of the causes of drying, cracking skin so you can prevent it from worsening or spreading to other parts of your body.

• Exposure to cold weather: Cold winter winds and temperatures make winter skin worse. Wear protective clothing to shield your skin from frigid temperatures that dry out your epidermis.
• Hot water: Hot showers and baths dry out your skin's natural oils. Natural oils keep the skin lubricated and slow down painful cracking. Avoid taking hot showers or baths during winter.
• Skin disorders: Eczema and psoriasis sufferers have it worse in winter. These skin disorders weaken the skin's ability to retain moisture.
• Heating units: Heating units give us warm temperatures indoors but they can also have a drying effect on skin. Use a humidifier regularly to restore moisture to the air in your home.
• Frequent hand washing: Washing your hands frequently will make sensitive hands feel rough. Avoid using antibacterial gels and stay away from hot water when cleaning your hands.

If your skin cracks and bleeds, you should visit your physician or dermatologist for a topical prescription.

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