If you have chronic dry, itchy skin that lasts more than six weeks, it may indicate an underlying illness like liver disease, asthma, lymphoma, or hepatitis. Dry, itchy skin can also be caused from eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, or an allergic skin reaction. After receiving a diagnosis, if your dry and itchy skin is coming from a skin condition, a dermatologist can often help mitigate the symptoms. A dermatologist can also point you in the right direction if he/she thinks your response is related to something internal.

To help manage your dry skin, FLDSCC suggests the following:

• Moisturize daily with a thick, rich cream to help seal in moisture and repair your skin.
• Limit the time of your shower or bath to no more than 10 minutes, and opt for lukewarm water over hot.
• Use gentle soaps and cleansers without dyes, fragrances, parabens or alcohols.
• Pat and blot your skin dry after a shower, rather than rubbing.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Avoid scratching any affected areas of dry skin.
• Use sunscreen daily to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
• Consider using a humidifier in your home to increase moisture levels.
• Avoid wearing fabrics that easily irritate the skin, like wool. Choose cotton instead.

If you have dry skin, it’s also important to remember not to scrub or exfoliate your skin too often, as doing so can lead to exacerbating dry skin issues. Having diabetes, or if you are age 65 or older, you are likely to be more at risk for developing dry and irritated skin, especially in the winter months.

A board-certified dermatologist can help you properly diagnose and treat dry skin. Call Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers today for more information.