Dry skin is characterised by redness, itching, and scaly skin which can flake. It mainly affects the face, hands, arms and legs, but may also spread to other body parts. Dry skin tends to be a natural skin type that you are born with. That said, it can be developed from time to time, changing with age, season and environmental factors.
Dry skin is caused by a lack of natural oils. It is commonly mistaken for being caused by insufficient water, but this is known instead as dehydrated skin. Exposure to dry weather conditions, heat, hot baths and showers, chemical and detergents can also cause dry skin, as well as underlying medical conditions.
Extremely dry skin may be diagnosed as dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, causes red, itchy skin that flares up inside the elbows, behind the knees and on the neck. Seborrheic dermatitis causes scaly patches and dandruff, whereas contact dermatitis develops as a result of the skin coming into contact with a skin irritant.
To determine a suitable treatment plan for your dry skin, we would advise attending an in-depth consultation with one of our specialists here at Harpenden Skin Clinic.
If you relate to this condition but still feel unsure, at Harpenden Skin Clinic we are always here to help and advise patients on the best possible treatment journey performed by experienced clinicians.
