Do you suffer from dry skin? This very common skin condition typically occurs in the winter time, which is how it got the name of ‘winter’s inch’. The colder months are the perfect environment for dry skin due to the low humidity and dry air from indoor heating systems.
The skin has a natural layer of moisturizing oil called lipids. Itchy clothing, hot showers, certain bath products and dry air remove the lipids from the skin leaving it without any natural protection. Dry skin can feel tight and rough, look red and be extremely itchy. It most often occurs on the legs, arms and tummy
There are a range of reasons why dry skin occurs. More often than not it has something to do with your environment and is usually easy to resolve with the right dry skin treatment. However, there are some medical conditions that can cause dry skin such as eczema and psoriasis, diabetes, hypothyroidism and malnutrition.
As far as the environment is concerned, the number one cause is dry air. Heating and air conditioning all dry out the air. One way to protect yourself is to regularly moisturize your skin. Another option is to use a humidifier in your office or home to keep the moisture in the air.
The other top reason why dry skin occurs is due to the hot water in your showers or baths. The hot water contributes to the removal of lipids from the skin. In order to treat your dry skin condition, it is a good idea to use only lukewarm water and to limit the length of your shower or bath.
While in the shower, examine the products that you are using. This includes soap and shampoos. If they are too harsh, they will worsen or even cause your dry skin condition. Other bath products that can be a concern include perfumed moisturizer, deodorant and exfoliates. Experiment with using different brands to see if they have any positive effect on your skin.
If your dry skin doesn’t improve after trying these remedies, speak to your doctor about the many natural skin treatments that are available.
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