When to worry about your dry skin condition.

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In my country right now, we are experiencing harmattan and this season is what we otherwise call, the dry season where everywhere feels dry and scaly, including the skin. Extra lotion and extra care are applied during this period to help keep the skin moisturized.

For some people, however, their dry skin is an all-year-round thing, it is not just limited to the harmattan season alone, and it could get so serious that the dry skin becomes a worrisome thing. Dry skin always makes the skin look flaky or scaly, and of course, it feels rough too, this dry skin condition can affect people of all ages.

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For the skin to consistently do a great job, it requires water and naturally occurring oil to help it maintain its supple, soft, and stretchy nature. In the absence of oils and moisture, the skin can dry out.
Also known as xerosis or xeroderma coming up suddenly could simply be due to a change in climate conditions but it could also happen due to a variety of other reasons;
Eczema or allergic contact dermatitis is a possible reason for the development of dry skin, it's occurrence is highly possible if there has been a previous recurrence.

It could be a result of age, older adults are more prone to dry skin than young people, as we advance in age, the pores would naturally produce less oil, therefore raising the chances of having dry skin.

Dry skin is more common during winter like what we are currently experiencing in my country, right now the humidity levels are relatively low. During summer, the humidity levels become relatively high, preventing the skin from drying out.

Constantly bathing with very hot water and excessive baths, increases the chances of a person developing dry skin. When dry skin begins to affect a person, it is marked by certain symptoms; skin burns or stings, infections, flaky or rough texture of the skin, peeling of the skin, and excessive itchiness.

Dry skin can also cause acne, it is not so right to think that, it is only oily skin that causes acne as blemishes sometimes occur when there is general damage done to the skin, and also can be caused by dry skin.

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The treatment for dry skin is greatly dependent on the cause, there are situations when you may need to seek the help of a dermatologist, but there are some lifestyle changes that can easily be applied to make the skin condition better;

Use a humidifier in your home.
Ensure to take lots of water.
You may need to change your skincare routine based on advice from your doctor.
Reduce your shower time to less than 10 minutes.
Use warm water and not hot water.
Use a moisturizing soap and lotion.
Cover up as much as you can during cold or windy weather.
Be careful about bathing babies.
Rinse and moisturize after swimming.

While it may be nothing to worry about when you have dry skin, the dryness of your skin may become something you need to rush to the hospital for, but that is when; you have tried the self-care tips but symptoms persist, the dryness of the skin becomes inflamed or painful, the dryness makes you so uncomfortable that you are losing sleep, you are having open sores and of course when your skin begins to peel, then rush straight to the hospital.