Dry skin is a widespread condition that can affect anyone at any age. Your skin may feel rough, itchy, flaky, or scaly. Numerous factors can contribute to it, such as cold or dry weather, sun exposure, harsh soaps, and overbathing. Also known as xerosis or xeroderma, there are several ways to manage this condition, but to determine the most effective method, you need to know the root cause.
Even though it is typically just temporary, some varieties could be year-round. If you have frequently dry skin, you may have one of these types:
Anyone can develop dry skin. However, several risk factors, such as the following, increase your risk of acquiring dry skin:
Most dry skin problems benefit significantly from dietary adjustments and home care. However, in some cases, you may need to see a doctor.
If any of the following apply, you may require assistance from your primary care physician or a dermatologist:
Your body reacts chemically to stress in a way that increases skin sensitivity and reactivity. Additionally, it may hinder recovery from skin conditions.
Stress can worsen breakouts. This is because stress causes your body to create chemicals like cortisol, which instructs skin glands to produce more oil. Acne and other skin issues are more likely to occur on oily skin.
Chronic stress can lead to Adrenal Fatigue (AF), which occurs when the adrenals are no longer able to keep up with the demand for cortisol. In the later stages of Adrenal Fatigue, low cortisol levels can be connected to dry skin.
You might have Adrenal Fatigue if your skin is dry, and the explanation is not anything else, such as thyroid problems, psoriasis, dry weather, ect. It is possible to link Adrenal Fatigue with dry skin for a few different reasons.
First, the adrenal glands create aldosterone, a hormone in charge of maintaining water balance in your body. Aldosterone levels will fall if your adrenals are underactive, and you will eventually become more dehydrated, which might result in drier skin.
As the adrenals weaken, a drop in thyroid activity is another potential. Although the thyroid and adrenals are different organs, they can work together to control metabolism. The thyroid may become weakened if the adrenals do, as both are connected through the Hormone circuit. This could result in dry skin.
Stress also often means that you don't have enough time for rest or sleep because of a fast-paced lifestyle. Additionally, the poor nutrition brought on by a hectic and stressful lifestyle can also do damage to the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response system.
The body's global response to stress is known as the NEM stress response. The NEM is composed of six circuits of related organ systems, all of which work together to cope with stress. One key component of this system is the adrenals. As noted above, the adrenals are part of the Hormone circuit, which can eventually deteriorate due to the constant demand to produce cortisol to cope with stress. This causes other hormones to dysregulate, leading to hormone imbalances that can also lead to dry skin.
Clinical investigations in healthy individuals have shown that psychological stress can impair the epidermal barrier, the top layer of the skin that seals in moisture and shields us from hazardous bacteria. This can also delay its recovery. Healthy skin requires an intact epidermal barrier; when damaged, it can cause sores, eczema, psoriasis, and other chronic skin conditions.
Stress is probably impossible to eliminate, but there are things you can do to manage it better. Here are some ideas:
Common skin irritants include liquid soap, deodorizers, and cleaning supplies. These creams dehydrate and irritate the skin, removing the moisture in your skin. Avoiding them can help prevent it. Some people may get eczema or dermatitis due to dry skin.
You must safeguard your hands from abrasive home cleaners and detergents known to irritate the skin. When it's time to scrub, put on non-latex rubber gloves. Or even better, put up two barriers of defense - before touching a bucket or sponge, put on a pair of rubber gloves over a covering of thin, soft cotton gloves.
When searching for a moisturizer for your dry skin, you want to look out for the following ingredients:
You want to moisturize your skin at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. If you shower in the morning, ensure your skin is dry before you apply your moisturizing product. If the product contains oils, they will not get absorbed into the skin correctly.
If you have dry feet, apply your moisturizer and then place socks on your feet for 30 minutes. This will help the product absorb into your skin quicker.
You may want to try to avoid materials that can irritate your skin and cause your skin to itch, such as wool and spandex. Cotton-based clothing is gentle on the skin, and it absorbs sweat.
When you are at the beach or out in the sun, wearing long-sleeved clothes with UV protection will help protect your dry skin from the rays of the sun and prevent your skin from burning.
Lowering stress levels should aid in reducing some skin problems, although there is little research available on the efficacy of therapies to reduce stress. Some evidence suggests that regular meditation practitioners may generally experience reduced catecholamine levels and no significant spikes in epinephrine levels.
This shows meditation may effectively reduce stress response. Your stress response is linked to anxiety and depression, chronic stress, and more. Likewise, there is evidence that relaxation exercises and meditation benefit psoriasis.
If you've been swimming in a strongly chlorinated pool, it’s important to rinse your body in clean water to remove the chlorine and then apply a moisturizer once your skin is dry.
To help maintain all of your body's healthy tissues, particularly your skin, stay well-hydrated, and consume enough non-caffeinated beverages every day. Caffeinated drinks can actually worsen dehydration.
Babies often only need to be bathed once every two to four weeks. If not, simply wash them in water. Clean their diaper area thoroughly after each diaper change, though. Applying a thin coating of diaper cream can also help to lock in moisture.
Food is a crucial component of healthy skin. A nutritious, balanced diet may help a person's skin perform its protective duties more effectively. This gives your body the nutrients it needs to deal with stressors effectively, lowers inflammation, and keeps hormones balanced. Some foods may even assist in moisturizing and protecting the skin.
The following vitamin deficits can manifest as dry skin:
Including these vitamins and minerals in the diet can help maintain good skin. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help prevent dry skin.
Dry skin is typically not harmful. However, if it is neglected, can result in:
These issues are most likely to happen when your skin's defenses are seriously weakened. For instance, dehydrated skin might result in deep fissures or fractures that can open and bleed, creating a pathway for invasive microorganisms. This is why it’s important to address dry skin by applying appropriate moisturizers and avoiding aggravating factors as soon as you notice it.
Everyone experiences dry skin occasionally. Drinking more water and using moisturizers are easy strategies to address the skin issue. There are factors we cannot control, such as age and environment, but there are several modalities to help you manage it. Do note that it is important to address so that it does not lead to painful cracked skin or infections.
The Dr. Lam Coaching team is eager to be of assistance if you need help understanding how to improve your skin care regimen and overall health. Call us at +1 (626) 571-1234 for a no-obligation, free phone consultation, where we will discreetly discuss your symptoms and your alternatives. By clicking here, you can also ask a question via our Ask The Doctor page.
Skin dryness can be caused by a variety of factors, for instance, dry and cold weather, too much exposure to the sun, harsh detergents, and overbathing. These factors, combined with age and medical conditions, can lead to a loss of moisture in the skin.
