A complete guide to dry itchy skin with DIY home remedies

Dry Itchy Skin: Causes, Symptoms, Preventions, and DIY Home Remedies

Dry skin also known as Xeroderma is a skin condition causing extreme dryness on the skin. It occurs normally on the scalp, legs, arms, hands, knuckles, abdomen, and thighs. It happens normally in the winter season because the outer temperature falls down due to which the air holds less moisture, resulting in dry and itchy skin. In this article we will cover the causes, symptoms, prevention and home remedies for dry skin. 

Symptoms of dry itchy skin

• Lack of moisture in the skin
• Itching and rashes
• Scaly rough skin
• Peeling/cracked skin

Causes of dry itchy skin

It happens mostly during the winter season because of cold air which causes the skin to lose moisture resulting in cracked and peeled skin. There are several other reasons for dry skin such as:

• Washing or bathing frequently with harsh soaps.
• Weather: When the outdoor temperature falls the air holds less moisture.
• Dehydration: Lack of water intake also raises the problem of dry skin. 
• Aging : After 40s, the skin produces less sebum resulting in dryness.
• Deficiency of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, zinc 
• Skin problems such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis etc.
• Diseases like diabetes, thyroid and kidney problems
• Smoking
• Severe sunburn
• Side-effects from medications
• Irritant from detergents like washing powder or dishwasher liquid.
• Swimming pool: Chlorine in the pool water contains chemicals that cause dryness.

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Dry Itchy Skin : Prevention(s)

Dry skin can be prevented by maintaining proper skin care and keeping skin moisturized. Natural products that are best moisturizers for skin are as follows:

• Petroleum Jelly 
• Coconut Oil
• Sesame Oil
• Aloe-vera gel
• Glycerin
• Shea butter
• Avoid using skin cream that includes fragrances, parabens and lanolin. 
• While bathing use lukewarm water and don’t rub your skin too harshly.
• Apply moisturizer immediately after the bath.
• Wear lip balm to avoid lip chapping.
• Wear gloves in your hands

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Dry Itchy Skin- DIY Home Remedies 

Raw Milk Remedy

• Take a half bowl of raw/lukewarm milk
• Dab a cotton swab in the milk 
• Apply it over your face, neck, hands, and body. You will observe how dirty the cotton will become.
• After 20 minutes, wash it with cold/lukewarm water.

Milk bath turns the skin supple. Daily use of milk clears acne, pigmentation, dark spots, wrinkles, and dry skin which leads to glowing and fairer skin. 

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During winters 

• Take warm milk and apply it slowly with a cotton or woolen cloth. 
• After some time, wash it with warm water. 

It will make your skin supple and soft.

FAQs

Q. What is the best treatment for itchy skin?

As mentioned in the above article, we would suggest keeping your skin nourished by following a nutritional diet and following homemade DIY remedies to get quick results in skin dryness.

Q. What is the best oil for dry skin to stay hydrated?

Coconut Oil is the best oil for treating dry skin because it contains fatty acids that keep the skin hydrated and nourished. 

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Q. Which kind of sanitizer is best for skin hydration?

Water-based sanitizer is best for skin hydration, whereas alcohol-based sanitizer quickly dries up the skin. 

Q. How is smoking responsible for making your skin dry?

Cigarettes contain many harmful chemicals that speed up the aging process which leads to drying up of the skin. It is advisable not to smoke or take alcohol as it deteriorates the skin condition.