6 reasons behind your dry, itchy skin – and how to prevent it

Do you typically end up continually scratching your pores and skin as a result of it feels dry and uncomfortable? Dry, itchy pores and skin is a typical situation that may make your pores and skin look scaly and cracked. This downside might be brought on by environmental elements, life-style decisions, and pores and skin problems like psoriasis. The excellent news is that there are house treatments and over-the-counter drugs that may present aid. Understanding the basis causes of dry, itchy pores and skin and utilizing these easy house treatments may also help you get prompt aid.

What’s dry pores and skin?

Dry pores and skin, also called xerosis, is characterised by tough, scaly, and itchy pores and skin. It happens due to disruption within the functioning of the stratum corneum (essentially the most superficial layer of the pores and skin). There’s an alteration of the lipid composition of this layer with epidermal differentiation and dehydration, which results in disrupted pores and skin barrier operate and a discount of pure moisturising elements (NMFs) inside the pores and skin, as present in a research printed within the journal Allergology Worldwide. This situation could cause unsightliness of the pores and skin, discomfort, itching, and might harm wound therapeutic. It could irritate the severity of different pores and skin problems, together with inflammatory pores and skin situations, and might have a bearing on the general high quality of lifetime of a affected person.

What are the causes of dry itchy pores and skin?

Listed below are some frequent causes of dry itchy pores and skin that it’s best to know:

1. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis also called contact eczema is a pores and skin situation brought on by an allergic or irritant response to substances that come into contact with the pores and skin, as present in a research printed in StatPearls. “When an individual with contact dermatitis touches an allergen or irritant, their immune system reacts, inflicting irritation and irritation. This irritation can result in dry, itchy pores and skin, typically accompanied by redness, swelling, and generally blisters, says dermatologist and cosmetologist Dr Sowmya M. Widespread allergens and irritants that may trigger contact dermatitis embrace:

• Nickel: Present in jewelry, cash, and a few clothes fasteners.
• Fragrances: Current in lots of merchandise, together with soaps, perfumes, and lotions.
  Irritants: Harsh chemical substances, soaps, detergents, and solvents.
• Latex: Present in gloves, balloons, and different merchandise.

When an individual with contact dermatitis comes into contact with certainly one of these substances, their pores and skin turns into infected and dry. This could result in intense itching, discomfort, and generally even cracking or peeling of the pores and skin.

2. Atopic eczema

Atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a power pores and skin situation that usually causes dry, itchy pores and skin. This situation is characterised by patches of purple, infected pores and skin that could be crusty, scaly, or oozing, as present in a research printed in The Journal of the American Medical Affiliation. The precise reason for atopic eczema is unknown, however it’s believed to be a mixture of genetic and environmental elements. Folks with atopic eczema are extra delicate to irritants and allergens, which might set off flare-ups and worsen the dryness and itchiness of their pores and skin. The fixed scratching related to atopic eczema can additional harm the protecting barrier of the pores and skin, resulting in a vicious cycle of dryness, itching, and irritation.

3. Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a pores and skin situation characterised by patches of purple, scaly pores and skin. It typically impacts areas with a excessive focus of oil glands, such because the scalp, face, and chest. Whereas the precise trigger is unknown, it’s believed to be associated to an overgrowth of a kind of yeast referred to as Malassezia. This yeast feeds on the pure oils produced by the pores and skin, resulting in irritation and scaling, as present in a research printed in StatPearls. The extreme scaling and dryness brought on by seborrheic dermatitis may end up in intense itching and discomfort. In extreme instances, the situation may have an effect on the eyebrows, eyelids, and behind the ears.

4. Psoriasis

“Psoriasis is a power autoimmune situation that causes the pores and skin to develop too shortly. This fast progress results in the buildup of thick, scaly patches. These patches might be itchy, painful, and generally even embarrassing. The extreme pores and skin progress in psoriasis additionally disrupts the pure barrier of your pores and skin, resulting in dryness and irritation,” says Dr Sowmya. The dryness can intensify the itchiness and make the situation much more uncomfortable. Moreover, folks with psoriasis could also be extra vulnerable to infections as a consequence of cracks within the pores and skin, additional contributing to dryness and discomfort.

5. Environmental elements

“Environmental elements play a major function in inflicting dry, itchy pores and skin. Chilly, dry climates can considerably contribute to pores and skin dryness, because the low humidity strips the pores and skin of moisture. Central heating and air-con also can scale back indoor humidity, additional drying out the pores and skin. Extreme solar publicity can harm the protecting barrier of the pores and skin, resulting in dryness and irritation,” says dermatologist Dr Nitu. Moreover, publicity to sure chemical substances and irritants, equivalent to harsh soaps, detergents, and solvents, also can contribute to dry, itchy pores and skin.

6. Way of life elements

Way of life elements can considerably contribute to dry and itchy pores and skin. “Frequent bathing or showering, particularly with sizzling water, can strip the pores and skin of its pure oils, resulting in dryness. Utilizing harsh soaps and detergents can additional irritate the pores and skin and take away important moisture. Sure drugs, equivalent to diuretics, corticosteroids, and retinoids, also can trigger dry pores and skin as a aspect impact,” says Dr Nitu. Moreover, neglecting to moisturise the pores and skin commonly can contribute to dryness and itchiness.

How one can stop dry itchy pores and skin?

Listed below are some straightforward and efficient methods to forestall itchy pores and skin as defined by Dr Sowmya.

1. Moisturise commonly

That is the cornerstone of stopping dry pores and skin. Apply a mild, fragrance-free moisturiser instantly after bathing or showering whereas your pores and skin continues to be damp. Search for moisturisers containing substances like glycerin, urea, or ceramides, which assist to lock in moisture.

2. Restrict bathtub time and temperature

Extended sizzling showers or baths can strip the pores and skin of its pure oils. Purpose for shorter, lukewarm baths or showers. Think about using a mild cleanser that gained’t irritate your pores and skin.

3. Defend your pores and skin from environmental elements

When going outdoors, particularly in chilly, dry climate or throughout sunny days, use a moisturiser with SPF. This can shield your pores and skin from dangerous UV rays and assist stop dryness.

4. Keep away from irritants and allergens

Establish any substances that is likely to be irritating your pores and skin and keep away from them. This might embrace harsh soaps, detergents, fragrances, or sure materials. Patch testing may also help you establish potential allergens.

5. Keep hydrated

Consuming loads of water helps to maintain your pores and skin hydrated from the within out. Purpose for consuming a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day to hydrate your pores and skin.

6. Think about humidifiers

In the event you stay in a dry local weather, utilizing a humidifier may also help add moisture to the air, which might profit your pores and skin. You can even ask your healthcare supplier if utilizing a humidifier is nice to your pores and skin or not.

How one can deal with dry itchy pores and skin?

Listed below are some pure methods to deal with dry itchy pores and skin, as recommended by Dr Nitu.

1. Enhance life-style elements

• Drink enough water.
• Eat a balanced food regimen that features loads of vegetables and fruit and a excessive quantity of protein, fibre, and probiotics.
• Keep away from smoking, alcohol consumption, and direct publicity to daylight for extended intervals.
• Common average train or meditation to keep up a wholesome thoughts and physique.
• For each day hygiene, use soaps which have an acid pH and include moisturisers.
• After bathing in lukewarm or chilly water, instantly apply a copious quantity of moisturiser that forestalls evaporation of water from the floor of the pores and skin.
• Keep away from friction brought on by vigorous rubbing with sponges or bathtub gloves.

2. Put on comfy clothes

• Put on free, tender hypoallergenic materials, ideally cotton.
• You need to keep away from artificial and woollen garments that irritate the pores and skin. Prohibit using aromatic lotions, colognes, perfumes, or related merchandise that include alcohol.
• Put on protecting gear to keep away from getting pores and skin dry and itchy in case you are uncovered to sure chemical substances.

These adjustments could assist you get prompt aid from dry itchy pores and skin.

Pure treatments to deal with dry itchy pores and skin

1. Oatmeal baths

Components:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• A cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer

Technique:

• Place the rolled oats in a blender or meals processor and grind them right into a high quality powder.
• Fill your bathtub with heat water.
• Pour the bottom oats into the cheesecloth or strainer and tie it securely. Place the bag within the bathtub and permit the oatmeal to infuse into the water.
• Soak within the oatmeal bathtub for 15-20 minutes.
• After soaking, gently pat your pores and skin dry with a tender towel.

Oatmeal can provide you clear, radiant pores and skin

2. Coconut oil

Apply a small quantity of coconut oil on to the affected areas and gently therapeutic massage it into the pores and skin. You should use it as a moisturiser day or evening.

3. Aloe vera gel

Gently apply the aloe vera gel on to the dry, itchy areas of your pores and skin. Therapeutic massage it in till it’s totally absorbed. Enable the gel to dry naturally earlier than making use of every other merchandise.

4. Shea butter

Components:

• 1/4 cup shea butter
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• Important oil of your selection (non-obligatory)

Technique:

• In a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, soften the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax collectively, stirring often.
• As soon as the substances are utterly melted, take away the bowl from the warmth and stir within the vitamin E oil.
• If desired, add a number of drops of your favourite important oil for perfume.
• Pour the combination right into a clear jar or container.
• Enable the cream to chill utterly earlier than utilizing.

How one can use:

• Apply a small quantity of the shea butter cream to your dry, itchy pores and skin and therapeutic massage it in gently.
• You should use this cream as a each day moisturiser.

Issues to remember!

• Keep away from house treatments when you have allergic reactions to coconut, or oatmeal, or if there isn’t any enchancment within the situation regardless of utilizing the identical.
• Search skilled assist if dryness is related to co-morbidities like diabetes, power renal failure, or thyroid problems and if dryness is related to different dermatological situations like eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, or any psychiatric problems.
• Sufferers present process radiation remedy or any medical therapy ought to seek the advice of an expert earlier than beginning pure remedy for dryness.
• If there was dryness of the pores and skin since beginning or if there’s a related historical past in relations, thorough investigations must be finished to rule out genetic problems.