Dry and itchy skin can be caused by a number of different things, including dehydration, excessive sun exposure, and even some medical conditions. While severe dry and itchy skin needs to be evaluated by your healthcare professional, there are some things you can do while you are waiting for your medical appointment to help keep you comfortable. Here are some skin care treatment options for your dry and itchy skin.
Use Water Wisely
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can replenish moisture in your skin and alleviate dryness and itching. It is important to note, that while drinking water helps prevent dryness and itching, other liquids such as those containing caffeine, and acidic juices can actually worsen your symptoms.
Caffeine increases urination and can lead to mild dehydration, especially if you drink it in large amounts. Juices such as orange juice and grapefruit juice can also irritate the skin, especially in those with sensitive skin or certain allergies. Another cause of dry itchy skin is bathing and showering with hot water because it can strip your skin of its natural oil. Instead of using hot water for your showers and baths, use warm, or even cool water if you can tolerate it. Further, when you finish showering or bathing, liberally apply moisturizing lotion to your skin while it is still damp.
Check Your Thyroid And Liver
Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, is another cause of dry and itchy skin. It can lead to severe itching and dryness, and in addition to dry, irritated, and itchy skin, low thyroid function can also affect the skin on your scalp. If your hypothyroidism has affected your scalp, you may experience excessive scaliness, itching, and hair loss, however, using a moisturizing anti-dandruff shampoo can help.
Taking your prescribed thyroid hormone medication will help keep your hypothyroid-related skin problems at bay, however, if they persist, your endocrinologist may refer you to a dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment.
As part of your skin care treatment plan, your doctor may also recommend nutritional interventions such as eating more fish such as salmon and sardines because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may play a role in promoting healthy skin. In addition to hypothyroidism, liver disease can also cause dry and itchy skin because it can raise your bilirubin level. When the yellow-pigmented bilirubin gets too high, you may become jaundiced and develop severe itching. If your dryness and itching are related to liver disease, treating the offending condition will most likely help your skin.
If you have dry, irritated, or itchy skin, see your healthcare provider and consider the above skin care interventions. Your skin is your body's first line of defense when it comes to preventing infections, and because of this, it is essential that you take steps to keep it healthy.
