Dry skin, caused by environmental factors, eczema, or dermatitis, is unpleasant. For some people, it can be painfully itchy and tight. To know how to alleviate the unpleasantness, first we must understand what is causing the dry skin. Continue reading to find the roots, then I'll tell you how to alleviate your problem.

Dry skin:

To begin with, normal healthy skin is coated in a thin layer of natural lipids, or fatty substances. They keep in moisture, leaving the skin soft and supple. Usually, something in the environment, or something you're doing to your skin, is stripping away these fatty oils, leaving your skin unprotected. Less often, the cause is internal; a health condition or genetic predisposition is making your skin dry out.

Eczema:

Eczema is term for a group of skin conditions that cause it to become inflamed or irritated. It can be the result of allergies, asthma, or hay fever. Symptoms include extreme itchiness, dryness and redness. Eczema is often treated with ointments, steroids and antihistamines, depending on the severity of the symptoms. It tends to run in families and is a chronic condition. The area often becomes infected due to scratching, and the eczema can crack, causing oozing and weeping of the area.

Factors that can lead to eczema include foods that the person may be unknowingly allergic to, like sugar and coffee. Also, deficiency of specific vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids can cause it. Vitamins A, C, E, B are especially important for preventing eczema.

Dermatitis:

Dermatitis is a general term that describes an inflammation of the skin, accompanied by redness and itchiness. The differences between dermatitis & eczema are not always easy to spot since the conditions are very similar. Dermatitis is an allergic reaction to a substance, such as a chemical in soaps or makeup, that comes in contact with the skin. Eczema, on the other hand, is often the result of allergies, asthma or hay fever.

Contact dermatitis results from direct contact with one of many irritants or allergens. Common irritants include laundry soap, skin soaps or detergents, and cleaning products. Possible allergens include rubber; metals, such as nickel; jewelry; perfume; cosmetics; weeds, such as poison ivy; and neomycin, a common ingredient in topical antibiotic creams.

How To Alleviate Dry Skin

Now we understand what we are dealing with! To alleviate all three problems, try applying moisturizer immediately after a bath. This will seal in the moisture from the bath. For dry skin in general, one tip is to apply natural skin care balms to your skin as soon as you get out of the shower to trap the water moisture that is already there.

And, limit the shower time. Long showers will steal the lipid layer from your skin, causing dry skin. The temperature of the water in the shower also matters. When you shower with extremely hot water, the lipid layer that keeps in moisture on the skin is depleted. And so, the key here is shorter and colder showers. These two factors dry out the natural lipid layer from your skin, causing dryness.

Clothing can also be a factor for dry skin, as itchy wool can also lead to it. And a big plus is a humidifier in the home, especially in the winter time when the thermostat dries out the air. The humidifier will replace the atmosphere's moisture, helping your skin in turn.

Don't scratch at the eczema! This will cause more oozing and more dryness later. As for dermatitis, the allergen has to be found. Try not wearing jewelry for a few days, and try taking a shower with a new soap free of perfumes and other allergens.

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