Have you ever taken your socks off and noticed the cloud of flakes that follow? Does your skin look dry or ashy at times? Well, then you’ve had xerosis. Sounds scary, huh? Well, xerosis is simply the medical term for dry skin and no need to fear, there are ways to treat it.
Dry skin will likely affect all of us at some point in life. For the unlucky ones, dry skin might be their norm and is likely a result of genetics or a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis. Internal diseases like diabetes or an underactive thyroid can also cause dry skin. Dry skin can also be brought on by climate cold weather, harsh soaps or bathing too long or in hot water. Even medications, both topical and systemic, can cause us to dry out. Think of that retinol you love for its anti-aging benefits but often loathe when it makes you flakey. Smoking and nutritional deficiencies also play a role in dry skin. And as if there weren’t enough wonderful things that come with aging– Dry skin is more common as we get older. Over time, our skin loses the ability to retain moisture, and our oil production goes down.
Dry skin isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Of course, it can be embarrassing to leave a trail of flakes wherever you go, but dry skin can be a sign of a more serious problem like thyroid disease. Itching is often a symptom of dry skin and can lead to sleepless nights and unproductive days at work. Dry skin can also create cracks or breaks in the skin for bacteria to enter and start an infection. Think of your skin as your barrier to protect yourself from the outside world. You want your barrier to be strong and intact, not weak and cracked, right? Hydrated skin is healthy skin.
So, what’s a dry skin person to do? Well, it starts with the basics and a little dedication. First, bathing daily is fine but keep it short and use lukewarm water. Avoid harsh soaps and add in a hydrating cleanser. Within three minutes of getting out of the bath or shower, apply a bland moisturizer. Reapply a moisturizer again so you are doing it two times a day. Keep yourself well hydrated and avoid irritants like dry indoor air and chemicals to the skin. Talk with your dermatologist and see if you have a skin issue like eczema or need a workup for other underlying causes.
Part of the challenge with treating dry skin is that it requires work. Applying a moisturizer twice a day takes effort and time, both of which we have little of these days. A pill would be so much easier, right? While we don’t have a pill that makes dryness just vanish, there is evidence that certain supplements may help. Probiotics, fish oil, collagen hyaluronic acid, vitamin D and ceramides may improve dry skin. More studies are needed to confirm the exact dosing and ideal regimen, but they are promising.
Trotter’s Take: Dry skin is a real dermatologic diagnosis and treatment can alleviate itching and strengthen your skin as the primary barrier to the world around you.
Does reading this make you itch? Join me and Dr. Diego Ruiz Dasilva as we talk about dry skin and treatment of chronic itch.
