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What is dry skin?
Dry skin, also known as Xerosis, is a very common skin condition affecting more than 50 % of older adults. It is not life threatening, but causes skin to appear red, itchy, scaly, and inflamed resulting in great discomfort and embarrassment. In some cases, if left untreated, Xerosis can progress to more serious skin conditions including secondary infections. Dry skin appears most often on face, arms, hands, and legs, and is usually associated with fall and winter seasons.
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin is a result of abnormally low water content of the skin. When the skin becomes dehydrated or stripped of its protective oily coat there is not enough moisture to reach the most outer layer of the skin called stratum corneum. Dry stratum corneum starts to increase shedding of its cells causing skin to appear dry, flaky, cracked and scaly. The most common causes of this condition are environmental factors such as dry or cold air,
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wind, long hot showers or baths, use of harsh soaps, and inadequate water intake.
How can I treat/prevent dry skin?
The best way to prevent dry skin is to minimize its water lost. Most cases of dry skin can be adequately treated at home with non-prescription therapy. Before you seek help from your primary care provider try to follow those simple rules:
Stay in the shower or tub no longer than 3-5 minutes, limit tub baths to 2-3 times a week
Always shower/bath in tepid water, avoid hot water
Use mild soap with added moisturizers, avoid harsh, drying soaps
After shower or bath gently pat you body dry with towel leaving some moisture on the skin, avoid rubbing
Apply moisturizer or baby oil to the whole body within 3 minutes of getting out of the tub/shower
Increase humidity in your
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rooms with humidifier or vaporizer
Wear clothes made of skin friendly fabrics such as cotton, avoid fabrics known to be skin irritants such as wool
If not contraindicated by your doctor, drink at least six 8oz glasses of water daily
Apply body lotion to the most affected areas few times throughout the day
If itching or redness becomes bothersome try over-the-counter corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone for maximum of 7 days
If, despite living by above rules, your condition does not improve in 1-2 weeks or you notice worsening of symptoms contact your primary care provider. Your dry skin may be a sing of more serious health condition that requires treatment with prescription medications.
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