What are the Common Causes of Dry Skin?

You can experience dry skin for a variety of different reasons, including:

External Factors

• Weather and climate: Exposure to the cold, low humidity, and dry indoor spaces can all lead to dry skin.
• Your occupation: People who work in jobs that require repeated hand washing or result in exposure to chemicals are more likely to have dry skin. Examples include: nurses, housekeepers, daycare workers, cooks, florists, and hairdressers.
• Lifestyle factors: Taking long hot showers or baths can dry out your skin. Similarly, many popular soaps can be harsh, stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Endogenous Factors

• Skin diseases: Patients who suffer from conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis commonly have dry skin.
• Systemic disorders: People with diabetes, thyroid disease, or kidney disease may also develop dry skin as a result of their health issues. Cancer survivors and cancer patients can also develop dry skin as a result of their cancer treatments.
• Age: As we age, our skin produces less oils and we become more prone to having dry skin.
• Medications: Certain medications such as retinoids and diuretics can cause you to have dry skin.
• Diet: A lack of water intake, along with vitamin or mineral deficiencies, can lead to the onset of dry skin.

How is Dry Skin Treated?

Setting up an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist can help. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition and recommend a treatment regimen that works just for you.

The most common treatments options that your dermatologist may recommend for dry skin include:

• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Limiting the frequency and duration of showers and baths
  • Using warm water instead of hot water for showers and baths
  • Adding a humidifier to your home
• Product recommendations: Your dermatologist can help provide a list of recommendations for mild cleansers, good moisturizers (usually creams or ointments), and fragrance-free laundry detergents.
• Treatment of underlying skin conditions which may contribute to your dry skin