Dry skin symptoms, treatment and care

Dry skin is usually not a serious skin diagnosis. In most cases it is caused by factors such as hot or cold weather, low humidity or washing your hands too often in hot water. You can help your dry skin with moisturising creams, body lotions or a body wash for sensitive skin. You can also make small changes to your habits that may affect skin dryness.

Sometimes, however, dry skin is difficult to treat. In such cases you may need the help of a dermatologist.

Symptoms

Dry skin symptoms are usually temporary (e.g. in winter), but sometimes they can last a lifetime. The signs and symptoms depend on your age, health, where you live, how much time you spend outdoors and the cause of the problem. Dry skin can also cause some discomfort, such as:

• A feeling of tight skin, especially after showering
• Skin that feels and looks rough
• Itching
• Mild to severe scaling or peeling
• Fine cracks
• Redness
• Deep cracks that may bleed

When to see a doctor

Eubos recommends seeing a doctor if:

• Your skin does not improve despite your efforts
• Your skin is red most of the time
• Dryness and itching keep you awake
• You have open sores or infections from scratching
• Large areas of skin are scaling or peeling

Causes

Dry skin (xerosis) is often caused by environmental factors. Certain diseases can also have a strong effect on your skin. Possible causes of dry skin include:

• Weather. Skin tends to be driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity drop. But the season may matter less if you live in a drier region.
• Indoor heating. Central heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces reduce humidity and dry out the skin.
• Hot baths and showers. Long hot showers or baths can dry out your skin. Frequent swimming, especially in chlorinated pools, has the same effect. We recommend reading the Eubos article on how to protect your skin from drying out in the shower.
• Soaps and detergents that are harsh on the skin. Many popular soaps, detergents and shampoos strip moisture from your skin because they are designed to remove grease and oil. We therefore recommend body washes, creams and lotions with glycerin.
• Other skin conditions. People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are prone to dry skin.
• You have a job where your skin is in frequent contact with water, such as nursing or hairdressing.
• You often swim in chlorinated pools.

Possible complications

Dry skin is usually not a serious diagnosis. But if it is not cared for, it can lead to:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). If you are prone to such skin conditions, excessive dryness can trigger a flare-up, causing redness, cracking and inflammation.
• Infections. Dry skin can crack, allowing bacteria to cause infections.

These complications usually occur when the skin's normal protective mechanisms are severely compromised. For example, very dry skin can develop deep cracks that open and bleed, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

How to prevent dry skin

Try these tips to keep your skin from drying out:

• Use moisturising creams that protect the skin from losing water.
• Avoid hot water.
• Use a soap or body wash with glycerin.
• Cover your skin in cold or windy weather. Skin can be especially dry in winter, so always wear a scarf, hat and gloves when you go out.
• Wear rubber gloves when using chemical cleaners. If you have to put your hands in water or use alkaline cleaners, wear gloves to help protect your skin.

Our recommendation. Gently wash dry skin with Eubos Sensitive Shower & Cream for dry skin, then apply Eubos Urea 10% body lotion after washing.