 Re: Dry skin | |
Risk factors
Dry skin is a nearly universal problem, but certain
factors make you more likely to develop tightness,
flakiness and fine lines. These factors include:
Your age. A healthy diet, consistent exercise and
stress reduction can help you stay younger longer. Yet
in spite of your best efforts, your skin is likely to
change over time. As you age, your skin tends to
become drier because your oil-producing glands are
less active. And because cells move more slowly from
the basal layer of the epidermis to the stratum
corneum, your complexion can appear rough and dull.
The slowed sloughing also causes cells to clump
together in flakes or scales. Eventually, as the
epidermis becomes thinner and more fragile and the
subcutaneous layer of fat diminishes, your skin loses
its strong protective function along with its youthful
contours.
Sun exposure. Like all types of heat, the sun dries
your skin. Yet damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation
penetrates far beyond the epidermis. The most
significant damage occurs deep in the dermis, where
collagen and elastin fibers break down much more
quickly than they should, leading to deep wrinkles and
loose, sagging skin (solar elastosis).
Your sex. Although everyone's skin changes with age, a
man's skin tends to stay moist longer than a woman's
does. Men experience a relatively small decrease in
oil production until well into their 80s, whereas
women's skin tends to become much drier after
menopause.
Diabetes. Diabetes can damage small blood vessels and
nerves, increasing the likelihood of dry skin and of
serious complications such as infection, cellulitis
and gangrene.
Winter weather. The combination of cold outdoor
temperatures and dry indoor air takes a tremendous
toll on your skin. Windy conditions and high altitudes
only add to the problem.
Hot baths and showers. Many people find long, hot
showers and baths luxurious, but there's nothing
glamorous about what they do to your skin. Strong
soaps or soap-based cleansers, no matter how expensive
or beautifully packaged, strip away even more oil and
moisture.
Smoking. Tobacco use doesn't cause dry skin per se,
but it does accelerate wrinkling, especially around
your eyes and upper lip. People who smoke tend to have
more wrinkles than do nonsmokers who are the same age
and have similar histories of sun exposure. The amount
of skin damage increases with the number of years and
cigarettes smoked.
When to seek medical advice
Most cases of dry skin respond well to self-care
measures. See your doctor if:
Your skin doesn't improve in spite of your best
efforts
Dryness and itching keep you from sleeping
You have open sores or an infection from scratching
You have large areas of scaling or peeling skin
Screening and diagnosis
Your doctor is likely to conduct a thorough physical
exam and to question you about your medical history,
including when your dry skin started, what factors
make it better or worse, your bathing habits, your
diet and how you care for your skin.
You may have certain diagnostic tests if your doctor
suspects that your dry skin is the result of an
underlying medical condition such as hypothyroidism or
diabetes. In addition, genetic tests can help identify
some, but not all, of the more than 20 types of
ichthyosis. If tests reveal a more serious condition,
you may be referred to other doctors, including a
dermatologist, who specializes in skin disorders |