10 lesser known causes of dry skin

Dry skin is not just because of the weather. Here are a few factors that make your skin dry.

Dry skin is quite common in the winters but many people have dry skin throughout the year. There are numerous reasons why this may happen. Many a times, you may be making your skin drier by following the wrong skincare routine. Dry skin could also be an indication of an underlying skin condition. Read to know 10 such lesser known causes of dry skin.

#1 You use harsh soaps

One of the reasons that your skin’s getting drier by the day could be due to the usage of harsh soaps or detergents. Washing clothes, utensils with them takes out the moisture from your skin and makes it very dry. Also, if you have dry skin and you wash your hands or face too many times with face wash/liquid soaps, it can further irritate the skin and make it itch.

Tip: Wear gloves while washing pots and pans and use mild soaps to wash your face/hands. Keep a hand lotion next to your soap and moisturise them after you wash them. Here are some more tips to manage dry skin.

#2 You may have diabetes

One of the earliest symptoms of diabetes is dryness in the skin. High blood sugar levels lead to poor circulation and frequent urination further dehydrates the body. Detecting type 2 diabetes at an early stage can help you bring it under control with diet improvement and medication.

Tip: If you are experiencing dryness particularly in your hands and feet without any reason, it is a good idea to get yourself tested for diabetes.Here are 10 ways to control diabetes naturally.

#3 Your skin is sun-damaged

If your skin is exposed to the sun too much then the harmful UV rays can cause skin damage, leaving it dry and scaly. This is because the UV rays penetrate below the top layer of the skin and affect the collagen which is responsible for the upkeep of the skin. This leads to wrinkles, sagging and also dryness.

Tip: Always apply a good sunscreen before stepping out in the sun and wear a hat or carry an umbrella with you to protect your skin from sun’s harmful rays.

#4 You swim for a long time

Swimming is good for your health but not so much for your skin and hair. The chlorine present in the water isn’t the main culprit if it is added according to the set norm but over-chlorinated pools can cause harm. Long hours in the pool remove the oily layer of your skin which locks in moisture.

Tip: Apply a good moisturising lotion or cream before and after you swim. Try to limit your swim time to 40 minutes. Read expert tips to protect your skin and hair from swimming damage.

#5 Your skin is ageing

Women nearing 40 will often find their skin getting drier than usual. This is because the skin starts losing its elasticity, in other words, it starts to mature. You can also find the appearance of other ageing signs – fine lines, wrinkles etc. Even women with oily skin will feel their skin getting dry.

Tip: In order to control this, opt for hydrating creams/lotions. Start using anti-ageing serums and pick products that are water-based as it will ensure that your skin remains hydrated.You could also try these anti-ageing potions.

#6 You are on medication

If you suffer from an illness and are on strong medications, you could feel your skin getting itchy and dry. This is due to the strong dose of your medicine. In order to cure this kind of dryness, you need to improve your diet.

Tip: Eat raw fruits and salads, drinks lots of water and avoid junk food. You also need to moisturise your skin well in order to stop the itchiness. Here’s how you can moisturise your skin naturally.

#7 You suffer from a skin condition

Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema occur more often in people who have dry skin. If your skin is too itchy and sore and you see patchy red spots, you could be suffering from a milder form of psoriasis. Eczema is a term broadly used for various skin conditions with symptoms like flaky, dry, blistered skin.

Tip: Go to a dermatologist if you have dry skin and rashes too often to understand your skin condition. Use fragrant-free and odourless skin products. Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of psorasis.

#8 You take frequent hot showers

If you are into taking long, hot showers, your skin is prone to getting dry as the hot water affects the epidermis (top skin layer) which has keratin and a layer of oil which helps retain moisture. The heat of the shower mixed with soap strips this layer and moisture escapes your skin leaving it dry. The longer and hotter the shower is, the drier your skin will get. If you already have dry skin, the shower will worsen it.

Tip: Bathe with lukewarm water and once you pat dry yourself, apply moisturiser on damp skin. This will help it absorb better and lock in the moisture. You could also try these home remedies for dry skin.

#9 You suffer from hypothyroidism

You could be suffering from hypothyroidismwhich can cause your skin to become dry. In this condition, the thyroid glands produce less thyroid hormones which lessen the activity of the oil and sweat glands which lead to dry skin.

Tip: Keep your skin well-moisturised at all times, especially in the winter. Make sure you take your medication on time regularly.

#10 There is less humidity

When the weather gets too cold or too hot with low or no humidity, it causes the skin to become dry. The condition is aggravated when there are radiators and heaters indoors. The moisture is completely lost and the constant hot and cold blow irritates the skin even further.

Tip: The solution is to moisturise the skin as often as possible. Keeping a bowl filled with water near the radiator to make the room more humid is also a good idea. Follow these 7 tips to prevent your skin from looking dull.

Are you making these 7 dry skin mistakes? Here are tips to avoid them. Click on the image to know more:

Know healthy India

Tuesday, 15 December 2015