DRY SKIN: Causes of dry skin

Many people associate dry skin with aging. However, contrary to popular belief, dry skin can affect people of all ages. Factors like medication, cancer treatment, and dialysis can also contribute to excessively dry skin.

What causes excessively dry skin?

When skin loses water too quickly, it becomes dry. This can happen for many reasons, such as:

• Using deodorant soaps and harsh cleaning products can strip oils and fats from our skin.
• Living in a cold, dry place can lead to dry skin.
• Taking long, hot showers can cause your skin to dry out.
• Exposure to wind, sun, and heat can also contribute to excessively dry skin.

You can often heal dry skin by making some changes, which includes moisturizing several times a day.

However, when the skin continues to lose water and cannot heal itself, skin can become excessively dry. Age, certain medications, and disease can also cause skin to become excessively dry.

Who develops excessively dry skin?

Certain people have a higher risk of developing excessively dry skin. If any of the following apply to you, you may be at risk:

1. Middle age or older

With age, our skin produces less sebum, an oil that keeps skin soft and youthful. By your 40s, the amount of sebum your body makes drops dramatically, and this trend continues as you age. To combat this, you can use a variety of skincare products specifically designed for mature skin.

2. People with certain skin tones

Research shows that people who have brown, black, or fair skin are more likely to develop very dry skin than people who have a medium complexion, such as people who have Mediterranean ancestry.

If you have a darker complexion, you may need to use more moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.

3. People on certain medications

Extremely dry skin is a possible side effect of several medications, including statins and diuretics. If you notice that your skin is drying out after starting a new medication, talk to your doctor about possible alternatives or ways to manage the dryness.

4. People with certain jobs

A job that requires you to frequently put your hands in water throughout the day or use harsh chemicals can strip your skin of its protective layer. Hairdressers, nurses, housekeepers, construction workers, cooks, florists, and metal workers often develop excessively dry skin.

To protect your skin, consider wearing gloves or using moisturizing hand cream while working.

5. People in cold, dry environments

When outdoor temperatures fall, the air holds less moisture. Research shows that this can lead to excessively dry skin. To combat this, use a humidifier in your home or office to add moisture to the air.

6. People with vitamin or mineral deficiencies

Skin requires nutrients to keep it healthy. If you’re not getting enough vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc, or iron, you can develop excessively dry skin.

To ensure you're getting enough of these nutrients, consider taking a multivitamin or eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

7. Smokers

Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that speed up how quickly your skin ages, leading to drier skin. If you smoke, consider quitting to improve your skin's health.

8. People with certain skin conditions

Some conditions that affect the skin, including atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, perioral dermatitis, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis, can cause excessively dry skin. If you have one of these conditions, talk to your dermatologist about ways to manage your dry skin.

9. People with itchy skin conditions

If you’ve had a skin condition that caused itchiness at some time in your life, you have a greater risk of developing excessively dry skin. Many adults who had atopic dermatitis as a child live with extremely dry skin.

To soothe itchy skin, consider taking an oatmeal bath or using a moisturizer that contains menthol or camphor.

10. People with certain medical conditions

Diabetes, thyroid disease, or kidney disease are known to cause excessively dry skin. If you have one of these conditions, work with your doctor to manage your dry skin.

11. People undergoing dialysis

Kidney disease increases your risk of developing extremely dry skin. When you receive dialysis, you have an even greater risk because dialysis removes water from your body. People receiving dialysis treatments also need to limit how much fluid they drink, consuming only 32 ounces a day.

This can further dry your skin. To manage dry skin while undergoing dialysis, talk to your doctor about moisturizing products that are safe to use.

12. People undergoing cancer treatment

If you’ve ever had chemotherapy, are receiving a cancer treatment called targeted therapy, or getting radiation treatments, you can develop extremely dry skin. To manage dry skin during cancer treatment, talk to your doctor about moisturizing products that are safe to use.

13. People with anorexia

If you’re not eating enough, you’re not getting the nutrients your skin needs to stay hydrated. To prevent excessively dry skin due to anorexia, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about ways to improve your nutrition.

14. HIV positive individuals

Excessively dry skin is common in people who are HIV positive, even those on antiretroviral treatment (ART). To manage dry skin while living with HIV, talk to your doctor about moisturizing products that are safe to use.

If you develop excessively dry skin, dermatologists recommend treating it. Treatment can prevent the condition from worsening. There are many treatments available, including over-the-counter moisturizers and prescription creams.


In addition to treating dry skin, it's important to take steps to prevent it from occurring in the first place. This includes:

• Using gentle, fragrance-free skincare products.
• Avoiding hot showers and baths.
• Using a humidifier in your home or office.
• Drinking plenty of water.
• Wearing gloves when washing dishes or cleaning.
• Wearing sunscreen when spending time outside.

By taking these steps, you can improve the health of your skin and prevent excessively dry skin from occurring. Should the dry skin worsen, you can develop permanent side effects. Your skin can itch most of the time.

Some people develop food allergies. It’s also possible to develop irritated skin every time you touch certain objects. You also have a higher risk of developing a serious skin infection.

Conclusion

Excessively dry skin can affect people of all ages and is caused by various factors. Certain individuals, such as those with specific skin tones, certain jobs, or medical conditions, are more susceptible to developing dry skin. Seeking proper treatment is crucial to prevent worsening and potential complications.

By following dermatologists' recommendations and using suitable moisturizers and creams, individuals can effectively manage dry skin.