Have you ever suffered from dry or itchy skin in the cold season? Dry skin not only looks powdery and cracks, but it can also be so itchy that you can’t sleep.
In fact, dry skin can cause skin ailments if left untreated, and if itching is severe, it is possible that the skin illness has already progressed. This time, we will explain in detail skin problems caused by dry skin and countermeasures.
What is dry skin?
Dry skin is a condition in which the skin does not have enough water and sebum. When you touch it with your hands, the surface of your skin may be rough or it may look dry.
Especially for sneakers that are easy to dry, they may be wiped with powder or appear to be cracked like scales. Even if there is no change in appearance, if the skin is taut after bathing or washing the face, it may be dry skin.
What Causes Dry Skin?
Why do you have dry skin in the first place? Here are three possible causes of dry skin.
● Causes of dry skin ①: Deterioration of skin barrier function due to aging
Aging is thought to be one of the causes of dry skin. Originally, the skin has a “barrier function” that protects it from external stimuli and keeps the moisture inside.
However, as we get older, the amount of sebum and other secretions required for barrier function decreases, the skin cannot be protected from all kinds of stimuli, and the outermost stratum corneum of the skin is damaged.
When the stratum corneum is damaged and turned up, the water inside the skin evaporates, resulting in dry skin.
It is also said that hormonal imbalance due to aging is also a cause of dry skin. A type of female hormone, “progesterone,” plays an important role in keeping the skin moisturized.
Therefore, when progesterone decreases with aging, the skin may become dry.
● Causes of dry skin (2): Unbalanced diet and disorder of lifestyle
To keep your skin moisturized, it is important to eat three balanced meals daily.
If you continue to have an unbalanced diet, such as eating single dishes, rice bowls, and noodles, you will run out of proteins, essential fatty acids, and vitamins that are essential nutrients for your skin.
In addition, lack of sleep and stress are said to disturb the skin’s metabolism “turnover” and reduce the barrier function. Even when you are busy, try to get as much sleep as possible and relieve stress by exercising moderately.
● Cause of dry skin ③: Moisture evaporation of skin due to UV rays and dry air
It is said that ultraviolet rays and dry air are also causes of dry skin. Skin that has been exposed to UV rays for a long time becomes like a slight burn, and the stratum corneum of the skin becomes inflamed and becomes dry easily.
Also, when the air dries, the moisture on the skin evaporates and it dries. Especially in winter when the air is cold and the air is dry, it is easy to get dry skin, so be careful.
Since heating and heaters are used in the cold season, the air is dry indoors and the skin is easily deprived of moisture.
Dry skin can lead to skin ailments
Even dry skin that is a little dry at first can lead to unexpected skin disorders if left untreated. I will explain the skin troubles that may occur due to dry skin.
● Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes itchy eczema. It is a common illness in infants, but recently some have developed it in adulthood.
There are various causes, but it is thought that it is also related to heredity, allergies, and in the case of adults, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, and deterioration of barrier function due to smoking.
Dry skin, which has a reduced barrier function, is said to be one of the triggers for atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that can lead to further dryness of the skin, so consult your doctor early if you suspect it.
● Xeroderma (sebum deficiency)
As dry skin progresses, it can lead to xeroderma. Xerosis is a skin condition that can cause the skin to become dry and peel off or itchy.
Xerosis is said to be caused by a decrease in sebum and water in the skin. Initially, the skin is peeled, cracked, and the skin is stiff, but as the symptoms progress, the skin may crack like a turtle shell, causing redness and strong itching.
Xerosis is more common in middle-aged and older people because the skin tends to dry out with age. The number of men who develop xeroderma begins to increase from a slightly younger age than women.
● Dry dermatitis (sebum deficiency eczema)
If your dry skin becomes inflamed and eczema develops, you may have dry dermatitis. Xermatitis is a condition in which xerosis is exacerbated and is also called sebum deficiency eczema.
Dry skin is often itchy as it progresses, and scratching with the nails causes inflammation and further itching. This vicious cycle of itching and scratching is said to be the cause of dry dermatitis.
How can I prevent dry skin from leading to skin ailments?
In order to prevent skin diseases that are said to be caused by dry skin, it is important to take basic measures against dryness. I will explain the measures that you should take on a daily basis to prevent dry skin.
This is just an introduction to how to prevent dry skin from getting skin diseases, so if you already have symptoms such as redness or itchiness, please consult the Best Skin Specilist in Islamabad and seek the advice of a doctor.
● Perform skin care using cosmetics and moisturizers
To prevent the deterioration of dry skin, it is important to moisturize the skin with cosmetics and moisturizers.
After washing your face or taking a bath, apply plenty of lotion or milky lotion containing ingredients that can be expected to have moisturizing effects such as hyaluronic acid, ceramide, and glycerin. If you have sensitive skin, choose a mild one that does not contain fragrances, colorings, or alcohol.
If your skin is sensitive, use simple care, such as using only lotion and heparinoids. Heparinoids are less irritating than urea, so they can be safely used by people with dry skin.
If you are worried, apply it to your upper arm, wait for a while, and check for itching or redness before using it.
Also Read: Your Hands with The Best Hand Cream for Men
● Take a bath every day to keep your skin clean
It is also important to keep the skin clean so that it does not progress from dry skin to skin diseases. Every day, take a bath or shower to wash away oxidized sebum, sweat, dead skin cells, and dust on the surface of the skin.
When washing your face and body, avoid soap with high detergency and use something that is as mild as possible. Use a lathering net to thoroughly lather soap and face wash, and wash gently.
After washing your face or taking a bath, the sebum that prevents the evaporation of water inside the skin is also washed away, so be sure to moisturize as soon as possible.
● Use a humidifier to increase the humidity in the room
No matter how much skin care you take, the moisture in your skin will evaporate just by being in a dry space. If your room is dry, use a humidifier to increase the humidity.
Air conditioning causes the room to dry out throughout the year. Try to increase the cooling set temperature and lower the heating set temperature, and try not to dry the room as much as possible.
Especially from autumn to winter, it is easy to dry, so please be careful about humidity control. If you turn on the heater or heater, it will dry even more, so if you do not have a humidifier, try putting a wet towel in the room.
Skin problems is one of the causes of illness. If you have any concerns, consult a dermatologist.
At first, the skin is crisp and drier, but if left untreated, it may lead to skin diseases. It is important to take regular measures against dryness before you get itchy and painful skin illness.
Also, if you suspect a skin condition such as itching or redness, see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
