In order for the skin to function normally, it must be healthy. Due to various reasons, the skin can lose its health. Skin dryness is one of them. Skin dryness is a condition that manifests itself with flaking, itching and cracking and disturbs the person. Dryness and flaking on the skin can occur for various reasons. You may have naturally dry skin, or even if you have oily skin, your skin can get dry from time to time. Dry skin can occur in any part of the body. It most often occurs in the hands, arms and legs. Sometimes you can solve this problem by using a humidifier, but sometimes you need to go to the doctor.
What Causes Dry Skin?
The causes of skin dryness are as follows:
- Weather: Temperature and humidity drop in winter . During these months, the skin tends to dry out. Dry skin is often seen in the cold.
- Temperature: The stove, fireplace, electric stove and heater used to heat the environment dries the air and causes the skin to dry.
- Hot baths and showers: Hot for a long time. Being in water can dry out the skin. At the same time, intensely chlorinated pools cause skin dryness.
- Soap and detergents: Most products used for skin cleansing reduce moisture in the skin.
- Skin diseases: In skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis The skin shows dryness and flaking.
- Age: The skin of the elderly tends to be more dry than the younger ones.
- Hand washing: Dry hands occur in those who have to wash their hands frequently due to their profession.
- Hot weather: Living in extremely hot weather
- Dry skin during pregnancy: Pregnant women may experience dry skin during pregnancy. Hormonal changes and stretching of the abdominal skin can cause the skin to lose its elasticity and moisture. As a result, itchy, scaly and dry skin lesions may occur on the abdomen and thighs of pregnant women. In order to eliminate the problem, the skin should be constantly moisturized by using a moisturizer.
Skin Diseases with Dry Skin
The diseases are often called dermatitis. Major types of dermatitis:
- Contact dermatitis: Anything that comes into contact with the skin can cause a reaction. This happens and regional inflammation develops on the skin. It could be a harsh substance that started this event, an irritating chemical or dye. As a result, the skin becomes dry, itchy and flakes.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: There is a large amount of oil production in the skin. It is especially seen on the scalp. It causes a red and scaly rash on the scalp. It is one of the causes of skin dryness in infants.
- Atopic dermatitis: In this condition known as eczema, there are dry and itchy, red lesions. It is a chronic disease and is common in young children.
- Psoriasis: This disease, the cause of which is unknown, can be seen all over the body. The lesions are dry, red and scaly.
Symptoms of Dry Skin
The main symptoms of dry skin are:
- Chapped and rough skin
- Dry skin may itch.
- Pink-red lesions
- Scaly skin
Extreme Dry Skin
Excessive skin dryness is called Xerosis cutis. It is especially common in older adults. Normally, the skin needs moisture to be smooth. As we age, the moisture of the skin decreases. Aged skin appears dry and rough as it loses moisture and oil. Extremely dry skin usually occurs due to the following reasons:
- Cleaning the skin by excessive scrubbing
- Taking a shower with extremely hot water
- Bathing too often
- Too dry with a towel after bathing
- Living in areas with low humidity
- Living in areas with very harsh winters
- Using central heating at home or at work
- Not drinking enough water and being dehydrated
- Exposing to the sun for a long time
Dry Skin Which Causes of Vitamin Deficiency?
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a vitamin that has many important functions in the body, including skin health. Vitamin D plays an important role in the formation of the skin barrier, skin cell growth and skin immune system. Studies have shown that there is a relationship between low vitamin D levels and conditions that cause dry skin, such as eczema and psoriasis. In this group of patients who were given vitamin D, skin disorders were significantly improved. It has been watched. In a study conducted on women, it was shown that women with low vitamin D levels have drier skin than women with normal vitamin D levels.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is necessary for collagen production. Therefore, it is very important for skin health. Studies have shown that skin moisture increases in those given vitamin C supplements. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A. Retinol stimulates the production of new skin cells. In the absence of retinol, the skin becomes excessively dry. Foods rich in vitamin A are salmon, liver, dairy products, eggs, shrimp, carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and green vegetables.
What is Good for Dry Skin?
If you have dry skin, you can relax with the following measures you will take at home:
- Do not use excessively hot water while showering.
- Take a bath every other day instead of taking a shower every day.
- Keep your shower time less than 10 minutes.
- Soap with moisturizing while bathing Use.
- Apply moisturizer to your skin immediately after bathing.
- Do not dry your skin by rubbing it vigorously with a towel.
- Do not scratch or rub dry skin lesions.
- Drink lots of water.
- Eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Apply moisturizer as your skin dries.
How Does Dry Skin Treat?
If you have a dry skin problem, you can use the following simple recipes that can be made at home:
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil has a softening property. The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil can moisturize and soften the skin.
- Oatmeal cures: It is a traditional treatment that has been used for years. Oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin. It is especially beneficial for itchy skin. Mix oatmeal with some lukewarm water, rub it on your skin and let it sit. Then wash and apply moisturizer.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe v era is good for dry and irritated skin. It stimulates skin growth. It is also beneficial for sunburned and irritated skin.
- Consume foods rich in antioxidants. By minimizing the damage done by toxins, you can help your body make healthy cells. Foods rich in antioxidants: Foods such as blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, beans, peas, lentils, and salmon.
- Increase the humidity: If you are heating with central heating, take measures to increase the humidity of the environment. Also, reduce the temperature of your home.
- Use a humidifier: Moisturize your skin immediately after washing it.
- Do not be dehydrated.
- Be careful with your choice of clothing: Do not wear clothes made of fabrics that irritate your skin.
Dry Skin Predicts Which Disease?
Dry skin is common in diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, hypothyroidism, kidney diseases and diabetes. . If your skin dryness does not go away with the aforementioned measures, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
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