What Makes You Itch? 11 Causes of Dry Skin Problems

For many, dry skin is not a sign of a skin condition or disease, but is simply caused by harsh soaps, itchy clothing, misusing moisturizer,lack of hydration and long, hot showers. But the medications you take -- and even medical conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and malnutrition -- can also cause severe dry skin. Read on to understand how and why these problems dry out your skin.



Let's begin by understanding dry skin.



Some skin basics. Normal, healthy skin is coated in a thin layer of natural lipids, or fatty substances. They keep in moisture, leaving the skin soft and supple.

What causes dry skin -- or xerosis, as it's known medically? Usually, something in the environment -- or something you're doing to your skin -- is stripping away these fatty oils, leaving your skin unprotected. Less often, the cause is internal; a health condition or genetic predisposition is making your skin dry out.

While patches of dry, itchy skin can appear anywhere, it's most common on the arms, hands, lower legs, and abdomen. Dry skin is often felt more than it's seen, but on some people it can be noticeable and embarrassing.



If untreated, dry skin can sometimes lead to dermatitis -- inflammation of the skin -- swelling, and infection and mild acne. The good news is that just as most causes of dry skin are external, most cures for dry skin are external. With careful dry skin care, you can usually solve the problem, and as I mentioned in a previous post don't forget to drink plenty of water. Start a water regimen this week and less caffine, see how beautiful your skin looks in a few days!



If you've been contending with dry skin, you've probably already tried a moisturizer -- if not dozens. But while moisturizers are a crucial part of dry skin care,most people don't always use them very well.

The biggest mistake we make is applying moisturizer on dry skin, when it's least likely to help. " You have to put on moisturizer when your skin is still damp," says Kenet, author of How to Wash Your Face. "That way, the moisturizer is trapping the moisture still on your skin." Your skin shouldn't be sopping wet -- just pat yourself dry with a towel and put it on. Let it soak in for a few minutes, and then towel off the excess, Kenet says.



Problem #1 Misusing Moisturizers.



You've also got to get the right type of moisturizer. Not just any old lotion will do! Ask any of my customers who use the lotion bars all over their bodies and not just on their heels, elbows and knees. The moisturizer must also be thick and greasy in order to seal in the moisture needed for good dry skin care. Put some of your lotion in the palm of your hand and flip your hand over, If it runs or drips, it's not thick enough for dry skin.



Problem #2 Dry Air



Dry air is probably the most common cause of dry skin, especially during the winter, it draws the moisture right out of the skin. Dry skin during winter even gets its own name: winter itch or winter skin.



While cold, harsh weather does dry your skin, another big problem in the winter lies indoors -- the dry heat churned out by your furnace. (During the summer, air conditioning can have a similar effect.) To counteract the dry heat, start with a moisturizer. Turning down the thermostat a bit in the winter can also help.



Try using a humidifier in your bedroom, and bundling up -- with hats, scarves and gloves, when you're outside, and wear socks to bed to prevent your feet from drying and cracking.



Problem #3 Long Hot Showers and Baths



Prolonged exposure to water -- especially hot water -- can wash away the natural oils that protect your skin. If you get out of the bath or shower and your skin feels tight, it's dried out.

So what should you do? First, choose showers over baths. But that's not all. If you're accustomed to waking up in the morning with a long, languid shower, dermatologists have some brutal advice: limit showers to a few minutes and skip the hot water. That doesn't mean you have to take a cold shower, but turn it down a notch and take a warm shower. Don't forget the to properly moisturize after you have pat your skin dry while you're still damp to retain that moisture. :) Try Pioneer Soap Works Body Butters and Lotion Bars after your showers and you'll see amazing results.



Problem #4 Manufactured Soap (surfactants)



I know you guys hear me preach on this one constantly! Nothing has changed with my views on this one, but don't take just my word on it --

"One of the biggest problems people have with dry skin stems from their soap," says Burton. Soap can quickly strip away your skin's protective oils, and we tend to use way too much of it.

"The average person who goes to school or work just doesn't get very dirty during the day," says Petronic-Rosic. "But [in the shower] many people scrub at their skin like it's the bottom of their shoes." Unless you're a child or a ditch digger, the only parts of the body that need any soap or cleanser at all are the face, hands, feet, groin and underarms. The rest of the body can usually just be rinsed off with water.

While our doctors -- and our mothers -- always told us to wash our hands frequently, that can also lead to trouble. Ironically, while done in the quest to rid ourselves of germs, excessive hand washing can dry out the skin and cause it to crack and bleed, making infection much more likely.

Many of us choose unwisely when we're in the soap aisle of the supermarket. We go for harsh soaps, such as deodorant or antibacterial soaps, that generate lots of lather and leave us feeling squeaky clean. "The bubbling and lathering from soap removes the oils from the surface of the skin and dries it out," says Petronic-Rosic.

For dry skin care, look for milder, "fragrance-free" and true natural soaps like Pioneer Soap Works. The surfactants in super market soaps also dry your skin out considerably! Pioneer Soap Works Natural Soaps do not contain any chemical surfactants and are made with moisture rich olive oils, exotic butters, milk and honey.

Whatever you do, don't use any harsh implements to wash yourself. "People will get these incredibly abrasive sponges and brushes," says Burton. "Sanding your skin is not a good idea." It can strip away that thin layer of natural oils that keeps our skin moist and healthy.



Other causes for dry skin can be caused from skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis. Medications can also play a role in dry skin problems. Acne medications are famous from causing dry skin! Malnutrition and Dehydration will also cause your skin to be dry. A balanced healthy diet and plenty of water will help this. Diabetes is also a cause for dry skin Fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to dehydration, and that dries the skin out. Given that diabetes can also slow healing and increase the risk of infections, it's especially important for people with this condition to keep their skin healthy. Low levels of thyroid hormone can reduce the amount of oil produced by your skin. As a result, skin becomes dry and rough and moisturizer is unlikely to help.



Itchy Clothes! Yep, that can do it too! As much as you might love that sweater, if it's making you itch, it's damaging your skin! Also consider it may not be the material your wearing, but the detergent you're using. Look for laundry detergents that are color and perfume free. It's hard to find a good laundry soap on the market that won't eat you up if you have extremely sensitive skin. Pioneer Soap Works is working diligently to design a natural laundry soap that will clean your clothes but be gentle to your skin and not cause the itchies. Look no further for a natural laundry soap that really cleans your clothes but is kind to your skin, Pioneer Soap Works offers both Laundry Soap Powder and Natural Soap Nuts!

Posted in: Skin Care Tips