Dry skin is a big problem for those who have it as the skin feels flaky and mostly itchy. With extreme dryness, there could be cracking of the lips, hands, and feet, or one or more of these parts. Scratching dry skin carries the risk of introducing infection-causing germs. The skin is the protective covering of the body, which means infections can affect other body parts as well, including causing sepsis. It can also induce and aggravate eczema in those who are vulnerable to it and can be very uncomfortable to scratch any part of the body when one is in the presence of other people. A hot shower is one of the most common causes of dry skin. The heat tends to deplete the moisture of the skin, causing dryness. Soap, shower gels, etc. products used during bathing also tend to cause dry skin. One may have an allergic reaction to the chemicals used in these products, which may manifest as dryness. Allergy to perfumes or other chemicals used in detergents for washing clothes can also cause dryness of the skin. Nylon or polyester clothes do not allow the skin to breathe freely and can cause dryness, and even allergy in people vulnerable to it. This can manifest as dryness, itching, eruptions, rashes, or one or more of these. Frequent exposure to heat, strong sun, cold weather, dust, or other environmental pollutants, tends to rob the moisture of the skin, making it dry. The same effect occurs with the use of central heating, room heaters, and air conditioners. Hereditary factors play an important role in determining the texture of the skin. If one or both parents or a blood relative has dry skin, a person has a higher chance of having it. Diet has an important role in keeping the body healthy, including the skin. A diet deficient in vitamin B. complex and vitamin E causes dryness of the skin as one of the manifestations. It can be due to dehydration. Among medical conditions, under-functioning of the thyroid gland is one of the underlying causes of dry skin. Chronic skin ailments like psoriasis, dermatitis, and fungal infections, cause dry skin as one of the manifestations. One can avoid dry skin through certain simple measures. Avoid taking hot showers. Lukewarm water is better than hot water. One should also avoid soaps and shower gels with strong chemicals. After a shower, apply moisturising lotion over the body while the body is still damp. Dampness helps to retain moisture. Depending on the severity of dryness, moisturising lotion should be used two or three times every day. Healthy natural oils like coconut oil, and olive oil are also good moisturising agents and can be applied over the skin after a bath, and even two to three times each day. If moving about on a hot day, apply protective sunscreen lotion over the body to prevent dryness. Similarly, protective measures should be used, when exposed to cold weather. At home, humidifiers should be used, while using central heating or room heaters. Nylon clothes should ideally be avoided altogether as they are not healthy for the body, including the skin. One’s daily diet should include lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans, eggs, etc., and natural sources of vitamin B. complex. Bread and cereals fortified with vitamin B. complex, and dairy products like curds and cheese are also useful in this regard. Drinking lots of water is also helpful to prevent dryness, as it keeps the body hydrated. If the skin remains dry after adopting these measures, medical advice should be sought. Medical consultation is also advised if the skin is very flaky or becomes very red and itchy with dryness or sores that form due to secondary infection. Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk
