The general cause or causes of dry skin and/or itchy, dry skin might seem like a no-brainer: It’s a lack of moisture. But where does that lack of moisture come from?
“Dry skin is caused by an impaired skin barrier and dysfunction or deficiency in the necessary healthy fats in the top layer of the skin,” says Dr Qaisar Ahmed, MD, DHMS, a dermatologist in private practice in Risalpur City, KPK – Pakistan.
Normally, the top layer of skin is made up of dead cells and natural oils, which help trap moisture to keep the skin soft and smooth. But if there’s not enough water in this top layer of cells, which can happen if the protective oils are diminished, dry skin could result.
In most cases, experiencing dry skin, or xerosis cutis, isn’t a big concern, it’s extremely common, can occur in people of all ages, and can pop up anywhere on the body, from the hands and face to the legs and stomach. Dr. Qaisar Ahmed says that dryness can make the skin red, flaky, or itchy, which can be uncomfortable, but beyond that, there’s usually not much to worry about.
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But sometimes the dryness will be severe and may indicate an underlying skin issue or health condition (more on that below). If the dryness is so severe that it interferes with your ability to work or sleep, if the skin is inflamed or painful, or if it appears infected, be sure to visit your primary care doctor or a dermatologist especially Homeopathic.
Your first thought when you experience dry skin may be to pile on moisturizer. And while that’ll help and you’ll likely see changes within a few minutes, that’s a temporary solution. It may be more beneficial to get to the bottom of what’s causing the dryness in the first place. You might be surprised by what you find — some skin dehydrators lurk in surprising places.
If you’re looking for remedies for dry skin, check this website first to find out whether one of these offenders may be to blame, and find out how experts suggest you combat these dehydrators. You should see improvements within one to three weeks of caring for your skin properly, if treat naturally (Homeopathic medicines).
Fragrance Has the Potential to Cause Skin Irritation
“Fragrance has a tendency to irritate dry skin or make it worse, so avoid deodorants and skin-care products that are filled with fragrance. That’s because fragrance is a common source of allergic contact dermatitis. It could take several exposures for the skin to react, or you might see a reaction the very first time.
Check the ingredients list for the word “fragrance,” and remember that “fragrance-free” is your friend. Body lotions and creams may do more harm than good when packed with perfumes. Read labels carefully. Lavender oil and other botanical oils have natural preservative properties along with pretty smell and are used in cosmetics, that natural oils are good for your skin.
Soap May Sap Moisture from the Skin and Scalp
“Many soaps, detergents, and shampoos subtract moisture from your skin and scalp, as they are formulated to remove oil,” says Dr Qaisar Ahmed.
It’s important to carefully choose face washes, body washes, and laundry detergents. Using only moisturizing body wash is better than a harsh bar soap.
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Genetics Can Affect Your Risk for Dry Skin
Chalk it up to another thing you can blame on your mom and dad: Researchers say that dry skin can be inherited. According to one study, mutations in genes that control the production of the protein filaggrin, which plays a role in forming and hydrating the skin barrier, can cause several skin conditions. People with these mutations (about 10 percent of the population, per the study) suffer drier skin and have a greater chance of developing eczema (atopic dermatitis).
If you’ve always had dry skin or if it runs in your family, it’s essential that you’re diligent with daily moisturization. “Look for ceramides and lipids in moisturizers, which help build and reinforce the skin barrier.
Hard Water Can Prevent Moisturizers from Absorbing
When tap water contains a high concentration of minerals known as hard water can leave a film on skin that causes dryness. “Heavy metals turn the oils on skin into a thick substance that plugs glands, aggravates conditions like acne and rosacea, and prevents moisturizers from being absorbed into the skin. I recommend adding skin-care products that contain vitamins A and C to your routine because they counteract the coating deposited by hard water.
Allopathic Medications and Retinol Speed Skin Cell Turnover
Salicylic acid can be great at treating acne, but it may also dry out your skin if taking it allopathically. Dryness is a common side effect of retinol, too, and it happens because retinol loosens the connection between cells on the skin’s surface. The good news is that you don’t have to give up these skin-care saviors, though cutting down on their cosmetic and/or allopathic use may deliver results without irritation. “Reduce the frequency of use from every day to every other day or so, make sure you choose a gentle cleanser that isn’t compounding the issue, and ask your dermatologist for a less drying prescription if necessary.
The best frequency will depend on your specific skin type. Take burning, peeling, and flaking as signs you need to stop using the product.
Dry Air – Causes of Dry Skin
Sometimes the air can be as punishing on your skin. Forced air, especially heat, can draw humidity levels down, making skin feel dry and itchy. You don’t need to suffer from dry, itchy skin all winter: A humidifier (sets between 30 – 50% humidity) can help restore moisture to the air in your house. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep olive or mustard oil or ghee on hands, neck and face or all body if needed. These oils reduce swelling, redness, and itching and helps soothe dry, chapped skin and speed its healing.
Zealous Handwashing Can Lead to Redness and Irritation
“Some people with dry skin just wash their hands constantly, that won’t help the dryness because washing with soap/face or body wash, your hands very frequently can lead to dry, cracked skin. This can be a big issue for people who work in industries that require frequent handwashing, such as health care. To mitigate the drying effects of your sanitary habit, use lukewarm water (hot water strips your skin’s moisture), opt for moisturizing soaps, gently dry your hands, and finish off with natural oils or at least with some type of lotion or ointment.
Long, Hot Showers – Causes of Dry Skin
It might be tempting to stand under steaming, hot water for an extended period of time, especially during the cold months. But the practice could end up creating issues with your skin. “Taking long and steaming showers or baths can dry out the moisture in your skin, limit showers to no more than five minutes and to keep the water temperature warm, not hot. Afterward, apply any natural oil or a moisturizing cream within one minute of getting out of the shower, moisturizers work best on damp skin while natural oils are best for all skin types.
Aging Can Increase Skin Dryness
Dry skin tends to become more of an issue as people get older. I (Dr Qaisar Ahmed) notes that adults ages 40 or older are at an increased risk of experiencing dry skin, and it affects about half of the individuals in this age group. “As we get older, our skin produces less oil and gets drier,” Frieling says. For women, it could also be due to the hormone changes associated with menopause.
The fix? Moisturize every day (or multiple times a day if needed), apply any natural oil or look for a moisturizer that contains ceramides, humectants (such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin), and petrolatum. These ingredients help replenish lost moisture and quickly repair the skin barrier.
Causes of Dry Skin and Certain Medical Conditions
Skin issues such as psoriasis and eczema can make your skin more prone to dryness. But dry skin could also indicate something seemingly unrelated, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney disease, malnutrition, or HIV, according to the Dr Qaisar Ahmed. So how might you know if the dryness is the result of something run-of-the-mill like the weather or something more serious? To be on the lookout for inflamed areas, crusting, intense itchiness, hyperpigmentation, and rough, flaky, or scaly patches on the skin and take those as a hint it’s time to visit a doctor. Once you’ve nailed down the root cause for the dryness, your doctor can help you determine the proper treatment, the best treatment choice is off course natural that is Homeopathic.
P. S: This article is only for doctors having good knowledge about Homeopathy and allopathy, for learning purpose(s).
For proper consultation and treatment, please visit our clinic.
None of above-mentioned medicine(s) is/are the full/complete treatment but just hints for treatment; every patient has his/her own constitutional medicine.
Dr. Sayyad Qaisar Ahmed (MD {Ukraine}, DHMS), Abdominal Surgeries, Oncological surgeries, Gastroenterologist, Specialist Homeopathic Medicines.
Senior research officer at Dnepropetrovsk state medical academy Ukraine.
Location: Al-Haytham clinic, Umer Farooq Chowk Risalpur Sadder (0923631023, 03119884588), K.P.K, Pakistan.
Find more about Dr Sayed Qaisar Ahmed at:
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https://www.drqaisarahmed.com.