Women and Dry Skin: What You Need to Know

Dry skin is a reality for many women, including me. Sometimes it seems like there is not enough lotion in the world to tame my skin. However, after talking to my dermatologist, I learned some tricks and tips to keep my skin smooth and silky all year long -- and I will share these with you.

If these tips and tricks fail to help you or if your skin is severely dry, make an appointment with your doctor; your dry skin may be something more, like eczema or psoriasis.

What Causes Dry Skin?

If a medical condition is not the cause of your dry skin, it is likely your environment, lifestyle or a combination of both. If you live in an area where humidity is low, your skin will need to be moisturized more often. A good example would include the desert areas of the United States. If you often use the air conditioning or heat in your home, this can dry your skin out as well.

If you are like me and take a lot of hot showers, this too can pull the moisture right out of your skin, to put it simply. I find that moisturizing right after a shower is a great way to help combat shower-related dryness. Make sure to be generous with your moisturizer and massage it into your skin well after patting, not rubbing, your skin dry.

Home Treatments for Dry Skin

I know how badly dry skin can itch, but resist the urge to scratch. This can damage your skin, making the situation worse and putting you at risk for infection. Instead, use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to tame the really itchy areas and an oatmeal lotion several times a day on your entire body. If the itching does not respond to these home treatments, give your doctor a call so she can help you find a stronger remedy for your itching.

Another remedy I swear by for my legs is petroleum jelly. My legs tend to be the driest part of my body, so what I do is slather my legs in petroleum jelly, put on a pair of cotton jogging pants and head to bed. In the morning, take a shower and rinse off the petroleum jelly and moisturize as normal. I usually do this on the nights that I shave because shaving really dries out my skin.

The petroleum jelly can definitely feel a bit icky, but this remedy definitely works. It also works well for your feet if you use it with a thick pair of cotton socks. Just make sure to thoroughly rinse your feet and get all of the petroleum jelly off before stepping in the shower, or else you could slip and fall.

When is it Time to Call a Doctor?

If your skin does not respond to the above methods within a week or two, call your doctor. If your itching is severe, call your doctor. If you have other symptoms in addition to dryness, call your doctor. If you ever think, "should I call my doctor?," call your doctor. It is always better to be safe than sorry and sometimes dry skin can be the symptom of an underlying disease, especially when severe and persistent.

Resources

WebMD: Dry Skin and Itching