11 main causes of dry skin (and what happens)

Dry skin is a very common change that in most cases happens when you stay too long in a very cold environment, or you take a bath with very hot water for a long time, for example, which ends up dehydrating it. skin dejándola more dry.

However, the recurrence of the skin can be a sign that indicates changes in the production of estrogen or appear as a secondary effect after taking diuretic drugs. In these cases, in addition to dry skin, other symptoms such as headache, seas, dry mouth and eyes or moments of confusion can arise.

To find out what is the cause of dry skin, it is important to consult a dermatologist who evaluates the symptoms and recommends the most appropriate treatment, which can be carried out using moisturizing creams, taking a healthy and balanced diet or taking medications that replace the hormones that are missing. .

The main causes of dry skin are:

1. Temperature changes

Staying too long in the cold, as it happens in the winter, can dry the skin because when the temperature drops, the skin loses its hydration. However, this can also occur in summer, as due to high temperatures, the sebaceous and sweat glands produce more grease and sweat, leaving the skin more dry.

what to do: to treat dry skin it is important to use moisturizing creams and protect the skin from areas that are more exposed, such as hands and face, using gloves, hats or caps.

2. Take a bath with very hot water

Taking baths with very hot water is another common cause of dry skin, since the high temperature of the water removes the natural grease from the skin, leaving it dry. In addition, the use of soaps that have not been dermatologically tested or have a pH that is not adequate, can also eliminate the greasy layer of the skin, making it more dry.

what to do: it is important to take a bath for a maximum of 5 minutes, using tibia water and avoiding the use of sponges, as it weakens the skin protection and the dejan more sensible. The soap must be slightly acidic, with a pH between 5-6, and the skin must be hydrated with moisturizing creams after the bath, when the pores are more open, making this process more effective.

3. Do not eat fruits and vegetables

Having a low diet in fruits and vegetables can make the skin look drier, as these foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that help protect skin layers, keep it healthy and beautiful.

what to do: it is important to maintain a healthy and varied diet, including fruits, vegetables and good fats that are found in fish, meat and oilseeds because they help to maintain the skin’s oil, preventing it from drying out.

4. Drink a little water

Drinking little water can be a reason for dry skin, as the lack of hydration makes the skin rougher and less elastic, which can cause flaking.

what to do: It is important to drink at least 2 liters of water a day to guarantee good skin hydration and healthy skin.

5. Practice swimming or hydrogymnasia

Sports in which the skin is in constant contact with chlorine, as in the case of swimming or hydrogymnasia, can take the skin to dry, as the chemicals present in the water, even though they are safe for health, outside the water time can go attacking the skin, leaving it more dry.

what to do: it is recommended to take a bath with tibia water after being in the water of the pool and use a soap with a slightly acid pH, between 5-6 to remove excess chlorine and prevent the skin from continuing to dry.

6. Wear synthetic material clothing

The frequent use of synthetic material, such as polyester or elastane, prevents the skin from sweating properly, leaving it rougher and dry.

what to do: the ideal material for clothing should be natural, such as cotton, wool or linen, which prevents the emergence of allergies and allows the skin to breathe, preventing it from drying out.

7. Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a disease that makes it difficult to retain water in the skin, and prevents the skin from producing the grease needed to maintain its hydration, which is why it becomes drier. In addition, other symptoms with comezón and red lesions can appear on the skin that appear, especially on the wheels, elbows, back of the hands, feet and genital area.

This disease usually appears in childhood and tends to decrease until adolescence, and can appear again in adulthood.

what to do: it is important to maintain skin hydration with the use of moisturizing creams. In addition, in some cases, it may be necessary to consult a dermatologist to initiate a specific treatment for atopic dermatitis.

8. Advanced age

Aging is one of the natural causes of dry skin, since the skin is losing elasticity and oiliness, in addition to hydration throughout the years. This happens with more frequency in the face, hands, elbows and rods, although it can also appear throughout the skin.

what to do: it is important to maintain skin hydration care, drink around 2 liters of water daily and eat healthy foods, as they help to hydrate the skin and provide the nutrients necessary to keep the skin healthy and beautiful.

9. Decreased estrogen production

When estrogen levels drop, sometimes it happens during menopause, the skin dries up because the amount of water and oil retained in the skin drops.

Estrogen is an important hormone in skin hydration, and it stimulates the production of fat through the sebaceous glands, keeping the skin smooth and healthy. In addition, estrogen stimulates the production of collagen, making the skin more elastic and firm.

what to do: it is important to consult a dermatologist to indicate the best treatment, which can be carried out with medications that increase estrogen levels. On the other hand, it is necessary to moisturize the skin with moisturizing creams because they help to replace the grease in the skin, preventing it from drying out.

10. Diabetes

The loss of the skin can also be a sign of diabetes, as it can cause damage to the nerves that control the production of skin grease and sweat, reducing its oil and hydration, leaving it dry.

In addition, diabetes can cause an increase in appetite and thirst, dry mouth, easy tiredness and desire to urinate more frequently, causing the body to have less water and the skin to become more dry. See other complications of diabetes.

what to do: it is important to maintain good skin hydration through the use of moisturizing creams to prevent scaling and the development of herids, as they heal with greater difficulty when suffering from diabetes. Food must be healthy and guided by a nutritionist, who will indicate the best foods for each person, thus being able to maintain stable levels of sugar in blood.

11. Use of some medications

The use of diuretic drugs, such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, causes the excessive elimination of water in the body, which can cause the skin to dry out. In addition, other medications that can also cause dehydration and skin dehydration are medications for allergies, high blood pressure and statins used in the treatment of high cholesterol.

what to do: While some medications can resecar the skin, they must not be interrupted without medical indication. Therefore, it is important to inform the doctor about this alteration, so that the possibility of changing the medication or adjusting the dose can be evaluated.

How to properly hydrate the skin

Some tips to hydrate dry skin are:

• Use jabón suitable for the type of skin. It is not necessary to apply the jab all over the body, the ideal is to apply soil in the intimate region and in the armpits;
• Take quick showers, less than 5 minutes and with tibia water, es decir, ni fría ni caliente;
• Apply moisturizer for dry skin throughout the body for 3 minutes after bathing;
• Drink at least 2 liters of water a day, with fruit or tea;
• Only use medication under medical advice, and if there is an involved illness, treat it in an appropriate way;
• Use specific creams for regions such as manos, pies, codos and rodillas. See how to prepare a homemade moisturizing cream for dry skin.

It is important to point out that aging is one of the natural causes of dry or dry skin and against this cause in the specific treatment, only hydration in a correct way and maintenance of a good water intake are indicated.