Dry Skin - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

 

When my son was born, he was almost two weeks overdue.  His skin was paper thin and extremely dry. The midwives at the hospital recommended I massage his skin with moisturising lotions every day. 

 

He loved the massage, I didn’t love the baby lotions and instead I used olive oil!

 

For weeks, I massaged his skin until the dryness was gone, but it’s not just overdue babies that can suffer from dry skin.  At some point in our lives, whether it’s due to the environment or age, our skin can feel tight and dry.

 

Dry Skin Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

 

Dry skin is an uncomfortable condition marked by scaling, itching, and cracking and whilst often temporary, you get it only in winter for example — it may be a lifelong condition for some and is a common problem, especially in older people. While it usually only causes mild discomfort, in some cases it can lead to complications and may also be a sign of other conditions or diseases.

 

The medical names for dry skin include xerosis, xeroderma, and asteatosis with dermatitis being the medical term for extremely dry skin. There are several different types of dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, Irritant Contact, Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Seborrheic dermatitis and Atopic Dermatitis (also known as eczema). Other conditions, such as psoriasis and type 2 diabetes, can also cause your skin to dry out.

 

Harvard Women's Health Watch report that dry skin becomes much more common with age with at least 75% of people over the age of 64 have dry skin. This results from years of sun exposure causing thinner skin unable to retain moisture. The skins production of natural oils also slows with age in women, possibly as a result of the postmenopausal drop in hormones that stimulate oil and sweat glands and substances in the dermis (below the epidermis) that attract and bind water molecules also decrease with age.

 

Causes of Dry skin

Some risk factors raise your chances of developing dry skin, including:

 

• Age - As you age, your pores naturally produce less oil, raising your risk of developing dry skin
• Medical history - You’re more likely to experience eczema or allergic contact dermatitis if you have a history of these conditions or other allergic diseases in your family
• Season - Dry skin is more common during Autumn and Winter months, when humidity levels are relatively low. Heaters, fires and air conditioners reduce room humidity. Humidity helps stop your skin from drying out
• Bathing Habits - Bathing frequently or washing with very hot water raises your risk of dry skin
• Soaps and Detergents - Using certain soaps and detergents when you wash (especially those that are heavily perfumed, or antibacterial can dry and irritate your skin
• Sun - Exposing your skin to the sun will cause dryness
• Occupation - Working in a job that means your skin is often wet can cause skin irritations and severe dryness

 

Symptoms of Dry Skin

The signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on many factors, including the cause, your age, and your general health. If you have dry skin, you may notice your skin:

 

• Looks dull (not shiny)
• Has small lines or cracks in it
• Feels rough and dry to touch
• Feels tight (especially after its been wet)
• Looks scaly
• Flakes off in tiny bits

 

Treatment of Dry Skin

Simple lifestyle changes can help prevent and relieve dry skin. Try to:

 

• Drink plenty of water
• Wear natural fibres such as cotton or wool
• Avoid using hot water to bathe or shower
• Shower every other day instead of every day and keep your shower time to less than 10 minutes
• Use a moisturising soap when you bathe or shower
• Apply Kadee Botanicals Body Lotion immediately after bathing or showering.
• Pat dry, rather than rub, wet skin with a soft towel
• Regularly exfoliate to remove any dead skin cell build-up
• Use a natural moisturiser on your face like Kadee Botanicals Hydrating Day & Night Cream
• Avoid itching or scrubbing dry skin patches
• Use a humidifier in your home

 

Kadee Botanicals skincare allow you to experience the luxury of Australian Native Botanicals that can soothe dry, dehydrated skin and leave your skin looking and feeling softer and more moisturised.  Our products incorporate ingredients such as:

 

• Jojoba Oil, a multi-purpose oil that is packed full of omega fatty acids, vitamin B complex and E along with anti-ageing benefits, plumping the skin and leaves it looking moisturised and youthful

 

• Macadamia Oil which contains a perfect balance of essential fatty acids (oleic, linoleic & palmitoleic), aiding in the regeneration and softening of the skin

 

• Organic Rosehip Oil, high in naturally occurring antioxidants, beta-carotene and lycopene, help to reduce free radical damage in the skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

 

• Kakadu Plum, found only in Australia, contains the highest vitamin C of any fruit, which helps to slow down the aging process by promoting the creation of collagen

 

• Lilly Pilly, brightens and firms the skin with its potent anti-aging properties, neutralising free radicals found in everyday environmental stress.