Dry skin is the most common issue nowadays. The crystal clear reason behind dry skin is the scarcity of moisture. But what causes moisture-deficient skin? Well, there are a plethora of reasons behind this. Experts say that skin dryness occurs due to the insufficiency of essential healthy fats in the uppermost layer of the skin cells.
The topmost layer of the skin is composed of natural oils as well as dead cells. Natural oils aid in keeping skin smooth and soft. However, if protective oils are not present in the uppermost layer of cells, skin dryness and itchiness can occur in any part of the body.
Although little dryness due to seasonal or water change is quite common, it’s a matter of concern if it aggravates and makes skin flaky and red. Proper medical attention is needed in such cases. Moisturizer is the first-line treatment for this condition. Also, there are several benefits of iron capsules for some victims as iron deficiency also results in Pruritus. However, there could be other causes of skin itchiness. Hence, you must visit a dermatologist to get the right treatment.
Here we will discuss ten key causes of severe skin dryness and itchiness.
1. Use Of Harsh Soap
If your skin is dry, the first thing you should do is stop using harsh soaps. Some soap contains chemicals that can strip away natural oils from your skin, causing it to become dry and itchy. So, avoid using any soap with a strong fragrance or coloring to preserve the natural oils on your skin.
2. Genetic Disorder
Some people are born with genetic disorders that cause them to produce too much oil or not enough oil. If you have a genetic disorder, you will need to use moisturizers regularly in order to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
3. Hard Water
Hard water contains high minerals such as magnesium and calcium that can build up on your shower walls and pipes over time. These minerals can irritate the skin and cause irritation, itching, and dryness even after bathing, with no soap in it at all!
4. Allergies
Many people experience allergic reactions that lead to itchy skin. Some of the most common allergens are dust mites, pollens, and grasses. Apart from this, few individuals have an allergy from animal dander and mold spores. If you suffer from allergies, you may find that an itchy rash accompanies symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and congestion on your legs, arms, or face.
5. Deficiency Of Iron
Iron helps the body form hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to each and everybody tissue. Without a sufficient amount of iron, your body cannot make enough RBCs. This means you won’t have enough oxygen in your blood and tissues. Your skin may feel itchy and dry because there isn’t enough moisture in the body to keep it healthy. Doctors recommend taking the best iron capsules to overcome iron deficiency.
6. Aging
As you get older, your skin loses its elasticity and doesn’t produce as much oil as it used to. This can make your skin feel dry and itchy when exposed to sunlight or other irritants like alcohol or soap. The loss of elasticity leads to itching on an area with loose skin, such as your elbow or knee. Those areas will become red and inflamed because they are irritated by the scratch marks left by your fingernails.
7. Certain Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. These conditions can cause an itchy rash on the skin, which will often be accompanied by flaking or scaling of the top layer of the skin.
8. Acne Medication
Acne products like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can cause dry and itchy skin. If you have used these types of products and your skin is dry, you may want to stop using them for a few days and see if the itching goes away.
9. Hormonal changes
Hormonal imbalances can also introduce dry patches on the skin if there isn’t enough oil being produced for hydration.
10. Liver Disease
Liver disease reduces blood flow through our veins and arteries throughout our bodies, making us feel itchy all over our bodies, including our scalp hair follicles which leads them to become inflamed and causes an itching sensation.
That was all about the causes of itchy and dry skin. Hope you like the information!