Dry, itchy skin

Dry skin occurs when the skin doesn’t retain enough moisture. It can result from frequent bathing, harsh soaps, aging or certain medical conditions, and in colder climates like Edmonton, from cold, dry winter air.

Dry skin is an uncomfortable condition marked by scaling, itching and cracking. You might have naturally dry skin, but even if your skin tends to be oily, you can develop dry skin from time to time.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin is a very common condition in which the most superficial layer of the skin, the epidermis, lacks the right amount of water. Dry skin can be itchy, and it may look flaky and bumpy or have red patches. Dehydrated skin lacks water and appears dull or rough.

Who gets it

Dry skin affects males and females equally, but older people are much more prone to it. Their skin tends to have smaller amounts of natural oils and lubricants, and many older people have dry skin on their lower legs, elbows and forearms that feels rough and scaly and is often accompanied by intense, distressing itching.

About 85% of older people develop winter itch because overheated indoor air is dry. Winter itch is the common name for generalized itching in the winter. It is primarily caused by dry skin and is most common in the elderly.

What causes dry skin?

There is no single cause of dry skin. Causes are classified as either external or internal.

External factors include cold temperatures and low humidity: skin becomes drier in winter than in summer, and drier in low-humidity environments. For example, cold, dry air heated by a furnace dries the skin by evaporating its moisture. External factors that cause dry skin include:

• over-washing with harsh soaps
• overuse of sanitizers and lipid solvents (alcohol)
• cold temperatures
• low humidity

Internal factors include overall health, age, genetics, family history and a personal history of certain skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis.

Signs and symptoms

The main symptom of dry skin is itching. People with dry skin often find rough, dry, red patches on their skin, and these patches are often itchy. The itching itself may make the dryness worse.

Typical areas include the arms, hands, lower legs, abdomen and areas of friction such as the ankles and soles. As dryness becomes more severe, cracks and fissures may develop. Signs and symptoms include:

• itching
• rough, dry skin
• red plaques of eczematous skin (nummular eczema)

What can be done?

We carry a range of medical-grade SkinCeuticals skin care products that help rejuvenate dull, dry skin. They are specially formulated to strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and protect it against environmental stressors.

We also recommend a full skin assessment. Rao Dermatology provides exceptional medical, aesthetic and surgical dermatology care, and our team is committed to working with you on a synergistic approach to enhancing your skin’s health.