How To Treat Dry Red Skin

Treatment for dry out, itchy skin varies, depends on cause of itchiness

Treatment for dry, itchy pare varies, depends on cause of itchiness

Dry, itchy skin is no fun. In fact, it'southward irritating. You lot crawling. You scratch. The wheel repeats itself. You long for relief.

Most cases are mild and become away — with or without treatment. But when information technology persists for more than a couple of weeks, should you lot be concerned? If it's keeping you up at night, should you get information technology checked?

The answer is yep. Fortunately, your doctor can help you place the problem and provide you with whatever necessary treatment to bring you relief. Treatment for dry, itch skin varies. It depends on the cause.

What causes itchy peel?

"Itchy pare tin can result from a wide diverseness of weather condition," says Reza Jacob, MD, a dermatologist at Scripps Clinic Liberty Station.

"It could be due to something as simple every bit dry skin, which is mutual," he says. "It could be a symptom of a skin disease, such every bit psoriasis or dermatitis. It could also be the issue of an allergic reaction. Information technology could even be a side event to medication y'all might be taking."

Your primary or family doctor can aid you get to the root of the trouble. They would ask y'all about your symptoms and examine your pare. They would refer yous to a dermatologist or peel specialist if necessary.

"It'due south ever best to bank check with your doctor if you have concerns. Most causes of dry, itchy peel accept specific treatments that your doctor can help you with," Dr. Jacob says.

Dry out skin

Many peel atmospheric condition cause itching. Dry skin is 1 of the most common. Information technology is also one of the easiest to address. It is marked by scaling, itching and nifty, usually in the easily, arms and legs.

Dry out peel occurs for a variety of environmental reasons. It is more common during fall and wintertime months when humidity levels are relatively low.

Dry out pare occurs too for a diversity of internal reasons. Older adults are more decumbent to develop dry pare. Equally we historic period, our skin gets thinner and drier. Frequent bathing or showering with hot water or frequent hot tub use also raises the take chances of dry skin.

What are common treatments for dry skin?

The most common way to relieve dry pare is by using moisturizers, which come in the form of creams and lotions. They help restore moistness into the pare. Thicker moisturizers tend to exist more effective for dry itchy, peel.

"A moisturizer might be all you need to save itching. If a moisturizer does not help enough, you can try an anti-crawling cream or ointment," Dr. Jacob says.

Home remedies can aid address dry, itchy sensitive skin and restore moisture, including:

Avoid bathing or showering in hot water; use warm water
Go on bathing or showering to 10 minutes or less
Apply a moisturizing soap
Apply moisturizer right afterward bathing or showering
Pat, not rub, wet skin dry out with a soft towel
Avoid scratching dry out skin patches
Use a humidifier at abode in your bedchamber

What is dermatitis?

In some cases, dry, itchy skin can exist a sign of dermatitis, which is treated with medication.

Atopic dermatitis is the almost common grade of this skin disease. It is often referred to as eczema. Eczema as well refers to a grouping of conditions that crusade the pare to go red, inflamed and itchy.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis ofttimes runs in families with a history of eczema, asthma or hay fever. It usually occurs in infancy or early babyhood, just it can besides strike adults. Virtually frequently it affects the face, neck, hands, feet, inner elbows and back of knees.

Flare ups occur when the immune organisation overreacts to an allergen or irritant within or outside the body.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is marked past a red, skin rash. It happens when the skin touches something that irritates it or causes an allergic reaction. The nearly common types are irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

Common triggers for allergic contact dermatitis include metals, such equally nickel in costume jewelry, fragrances, safety or latex ingredients.

Common triggers for irritant contact dermatitis include laundry detergents, soaps, anti-acne creams or anti-aging creams, cleaners and chemicals.

Treatments for dermatitis (eczema)

Treatment for eczema may include over-the-counter remedies, prescription topical medications, including corticosteroids, calorie-free therapy, immunosuppressants and biologic drugs.

According to the National Eczema Clan, managing flares should include:

Knowing your triggers so y'all can avoid them
Implementing a daily bathing and moisturizing routine
Using over-the-counter topical ointments and prescription medications consistently and as directed

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes crimson, scaly and oftentimes itchy patches on the skin. The allowed system and genetics play major roles development of psoriasis. It occurs when an overactive allowed arrangement targets healthy skin cells, causing a buildup of lesions.

Plaque psoriasis is the almost common type. It appears equally raised, scaly patches of inflamed skin. Triggers include infections, stress, dry out weather conditions, certain medications, cuts, scratches and sunburns.

Treatments include topical creams, light therapy (likewise known equally phototherapy), and oral and injectable medications, including biologics. Treatment can also include complementary and alternative approaches, such as supplements or probiotics.

When dry, itchy pare is a sign of serious illness

Though much more rare, dry, itchy pare tin be a symptom of a more than serious illness. It can exist a sign of liver or kidney illness, diabetes or a trouble with your allowed arrangement. "If the itch is a symptom of something serious, the best arroyo is to treat that underlying issue," Dr. Jacob says.

Dr. Jacob says dry, itchy skin is usually treatable and not a sign of a serious affliction. "But, if the itch lasts for more than than a couple of weeks, pay observe. If it becomes your primary focus or affects a large expanse of your body, see your doctor."