Severe Dry Skin Symptoms &
Dermatologist Treatment Tips

Some rough skin can usually be characterized as Eczema: it can be discolored, scaly, and, for example, can even sometimes gets caught on fabrics. "This can often look like a dry rash and can appear on any part of the body. Also, Keratosis pilaris can also be red in color and have a sandpaper/rough-like texture, which can get caught on and sometimes scratch fabrics," says Dr. Todd Besnoff of Ultimate Image Cosmetic Medical Center.

Stay away from hot showers as this will make dry skin even drier and increase the itchiness. "Thick, heavy products have more staying power and will keep water from evaporating from your skin.  When the skin has lost a lot of moisture it causes that itchiness," says Dr. Jaliman. "Once you rehydrate and moisturize you will feel the itchiness start to lessen."

If your skin is starting to shed in large flakes, or you see flakes of skin on your black clothing, that is a reliable sign that your skin is severely dry and needs some additional care.  "Flaking is definitely a symptom of very dry skin. To prevent this from happening we need to keep the skin hydrated. Drinking at least 7-8 glasses of water can help with keeping your body hydrated. Making sure your skin is always moisturized is very important," says Dr. Jaliman.
Dermatologist Tip: To lessen the occurrence of flaking it's important to wash well when we come from outside to remove any dirt or pollution from the surface skin. "Gently exfoliate with a washcloth. It is important that you do not scrub too hard but rather rub lightly. Even the best skin in the world will look dull if it is not exfoliated," says Dr. Jaliman.

"Skin fissures are another way of saying tiny cracks on the skin. If not treated they can become much larger cracks," says Lisa Adam, Head of R&D at Curel. "When your skin is severely dry your skin will have tiny cracks, also known as skin fissures. When skin is very dry the moisture barrier has been compromised and breaks in the skin occur" says Dr. Jaliman.

Cracking happens when skin loses its ability to hold moisture and the skin barrier is compromised. When this happens, due to the lack of moisture, skin loses its elasticity, and with stress such as stretching or moving the skin can actually break," Adams explains. Cracks on the heels or knuckles, in particular, can become especially deep and if not treated, can become infected.
 
Areas prone to skin cracking:

• Knees
• Elbows
• Ankles
• Knuckles
• Nose
• Heels of the feet

Severe dry skin is caused when no or very little sebum is naturally produced by the skin, leaving the skin severely lacking in moisture. Various factors can lead to a decrease in sebum production, from genetics to an increase in a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Read on to learn what our experts have to say about why these factors contribute to extremely dry skin.

“Environment can play a significant role in the condition of the skin," says Adams. For example, extremely cold or very dry climates have less humidity in the air—which means less natural moisture for your skin—and can ultimately lead to skin drying out harshly and quickly. In these types of environments, lotions and moisture rich creams are necessary to keep essential hydration from escaping into the environment. Moisture-rich creams will keep your skin supple and hydrated while keeping water from escaping.
The sun also plays a huge role in causing severely dry skin: Too much exposure to its UV rays causes the skin’s top layers to lose moisture and eventually turns into a sunburn. The most effective way to avoid sun damage is to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and to wear protective clothing such as hats, lightweight long-sleeve shirts, and lightweight pants. “When you don’t protect your skin from UV rays, the rays can damage skin cells. The damage done to skin cells can cause dryness and uneven skin color which can be referred to as pigmentation" says Dr. Jaliman.

Every individual's genetic makeup is different, and specific markers determine the health of the skin barrier function.For example, atopic eczema is thought to be linked to a genetic mutation. “This shows up on a lot of infants in the first few months of life. The likelihood of childhood eczema is two to three times higher in children whose parents have it. With skin barrier function, changes in the Epidermal lipids, which are often caused by loss of water, allowing cracks and openings to develop in the stratum corneum,” says Dr. Besnoff. “This allows irritants to trigger inflammation. Lipids are important to the skin’s barrier function. The lipid barrier minimizes water loss and is essential for strong, healthy, hydrated skin. Lipids, in general, are like molecules that are not soluble in water --- things like Ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol, waxes, and steroids.,” says Dr. Besnoff.

Eczema is a common skin condition that can affect people of all ages. Overall, it is when patches of skin become extremely dry, itchy, red, and irritated.

Psoriasis is a noncontagious long-lasting autoimmune condition that makes skin cells replicate faster than normal. This appears on the skin in the form of red, raised skin with silvery scales. Although this can be genetically inherited other factors can also increase flare ups. These factors include sunburns, smoking and excessive drinking of alcohol. Psoriasis often appears on the knees and elbows, but can also show up on your face, scalp, neck, and feet. “High-stress levels, along with infections and certain medications, can also cause flare ups,” says Dr. Besnoff.

Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects the body’s ability to naturally produce insulin. When dealing with diabetes, it is important to take care of skin- especially where dryness is more common, such as hands and feet to make sure that it stays healthy and full of moisture. Insulin keeps you’re your blood sugar level from getting too high. Blood sugar changes in response to food, medications, illness, alcohol and more. When your blood sugar gets too high, yellow, red or brown patches can form on your skin. “A lot of people also develop a dark patch of itchy skin on the back of their necks or armpits, which is an indicator that you have too much insulin in your blood. Blisters, shin spots, and itchy skin can also form. It is extremely important to keep the skin hydrated and healthy when experiencing any of these signs/symptoms,” says Dr. Besnoff.

It’s also possible that severely dry skin is a side effect of a newly started medication. “Certain diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide, Retin-A, a topical medication prescribed for acne, and certain cholesterol or acne medications can all cause skin redness, burning, excessively dry skin, and itching. When you first use the previously mentioned medications, you actually have a reversed effect and get worse acne, initially. If you’ve noticed any sudden change in your skin following a new medication, immediately consult your doctor,” says Dr. Besnoff.

Harsh soaps & detergents to clean your clothes can leave skin feeling irritated, scratchy and dried out. If you are experiencing these symptoms, look for gentle, fragrance-free soaps and detergents to help alleviate the dryness and irritation. After taking warm showers with a gentle cleanser, pat dry and use a deodorant specifically for dry and sensitive skin. Additionally, deodorants can aggravate sensitive underarms while cleaning agents can leave skin feeling dry or hot. If using such chemicals, it is best to wear gloves to protect your skin.

As we've explained in our article about dry skin, the most effective ways to treat dry skin is through a combination of ingredients. Similarly, treating extremely dry skin requires the inclusion of nourishing ingredients plus a few modifications to your skincare routine. We've asked Dermatologists to share their top tips to soothe severely dry skin and here's what they recommend:

Chlorine and other swimming pool chemicals can dry your skin very quickly, leaving skin feeling tight and uncomfortable. After spending time in the pool, hop in a warm shower for a quick rinse, use a gentle body cleanser, and pat skin dry.

In the shower, the water causes skin cells to expand, which provides the optimal time for hydration. Dr. Besnoff recommends applying a body lotion as soon as you get out, a wet skin moisturizer is a perfect option because they are specially designed to work straight out of the shower, before toweling off. “When you get out of the shower and the skin is still moist it’s important to put your moisturizer on because this binds the water molecules to the outer layers of the skin,” says Dr. Jaliman.

If you live in a low humidity area, or harsh seasonal humidity, consider purchasing a humidifier to add moisture into the air and your skin. "When it’s dry in the environment, the moisture on your skin can evaporate in the air. Humidifiers are great for soothing cracked or itchy skin,” says Dr. Besnoff.

If nothing else seems to be helping the dryness and itch of your skin, an oatmeal bath may be a lifesaver for your skin. “Simply blend some good ole’ oatmeal in a blender, sprinkle it in a warm bathtub, and soak for about 15-20 minutes,” says Dr. Besnoff. The blended oatmeal releases soothing beta-glucans into the bath to help soothe dry, itchy skin. “Oatmeal contains antioxidants that are great from treating most skin disorders. Oatmeal is great for cleansing your skin and locking in moisture – it also normalizes your skin’s pH,” says Dr. Besnoff.

Oils such as flaxseed and fish oil are high in essential fatty acids to help keep your skin healthy and glowing. Take as a supplement or add them to your favorite meals. “Fish oil and flaxseed vitamins help your skin maintain a smooth, flat and desirable structure,” says Dr. Besnoff.

Glycerin is a humectant and is super hydrating, we recommend incorporating an ultra healing lotion that contains glycerine into your daily skincare regimen. “Glycerin works to moisturize the skin by drawing water from the air into the skin's outer layer. It generates a protective layer that helps prevent moisture loss,” says Dr. Jaliman.

Your hands are also easily subjected to getting dried out by harsh chemicals. So when cleaning around the house, make sure to wear a pair of gloves to help your hands avoid all of those chemicals.

Hyaluronic acid is used for moisturizing. “It’s super hydrating and has anti-aging properties. When used in peels and cleansers it helps to retain the skin’s moisture,” says Dr. Jaliman.

If symptoms are continual, you may want to consider a visit to your dermatologist. If you have never been to a dermatologist, there is no need to be nervous, just make sure you have a few questions for your dermatologist prepared. Here is what you can expect during a visit with your specialist:

1. Skin check to identify any new moles or freckles
2. Questions regarding your diet, products you use, exfoliation habits and sunscreen usage
3. Skincare routine recommendations
4. If necessary, prescription ointments and creams

Now that you know how to identify the signs of severely dry skin and the best ways to treat it, lets recap.