How to derail dry skin

• A feeling of skin tightness.
• Rough, scaly or flaking skin.
• Itching.
• Fine lines or cracks.
• Redness.
• Deep cracks that may bleed if severe.
• Dry skin can be a temporary problem or it can be a long-term and recurring concern.

Causes
Dry skin results from a lack of water in the epidermis. When your skin becomes dehydrated, it loses its flexibility and becomes cracked and scaly.

Dry, scaly or itchy skin may be due to:

• Cold weather: dry skin occurs more often in winter when the cold weather outside and warm air from heating inside creates low humidity.
• Frequent bathing: too many hot baths or showers wash off the surface layer of natural oil on your skin.
• Soaps and detergents: harsh soaps and shampoos and detergents can strip the natural oils from your skin.
• Ageing: older skin holds less water.
• Skin conditions: such as dermatitis and psoriasis.

What to do
The aim of treating dry skin is to hold and preserve the moisture within the epidermis. You can do a lot on your own to improve dry skin, including:

• Minimising the amount of time you spend in the bath or shower.
• Bathing in lukewarm water.
• Using soap substitutes and emulsifying bath oil and body washes.
• After washing, gently pat skin dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing it completely dry.
• Applying moisturiser immediately after washing while skin is still damp to make the skin softer and smoother and less likely to crack.

You should seek medical advice if:

• Home care methods do not work.
• Skin is broken and you are worried about infection.
• Skin is very red and inflamed.
• White patches or silvery scales are visible.

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