Dry Skin Causes & Treatment

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Eddie Roche - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

Dry skin can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing problem, but you don’t have to suffer in silence.

Whether it’s a sore patch that you’re finding it impossible not to scratch, or visibly flaky skin affecting your confidence, there are ways you can treat the issue.

Medical conditions

Dry skin is often just one of the symptoms associated with a medical condition. Here are some of the more common problems that can cause dry skin:

Eczema - Your skin struggles to retain moisture, resulting in dry patches. Most commonly found in the hands, elbows, knees, face and scalp.
Psoriasis - Your skin producing new cells too quickly, leaves you with a dry, silvery layer of skin in the affected areas. Usually occurs in the elbows, scalp and knees.
Athlete’s foot - This fungal infection can cause the skin between your toes and on the soles of your feet to become cracked and dry.

Lifestyle factors

Your skin is a delicate thing and sometimes, you can mistreat it without even realising. For example, your dry skin could be caused by using a particular kind of soap or laundry detergent that leads to an allergic reaction.

Scrubbing too vigorously when washing could also lead to dry skin, as this can take away the natural oils found in the skin that help to keep it soft. Regularly taking long, hot showers is also associated with dry skin.

Drinking too much alcohol is a bad idea for lots of reasons, and you can now add dry skin to that list. Alcohol causes you to become dehydrated, which can cause the skin to dry out. Using an alcohol-based skin moisturiser can have a similar effect, so make sure you always read the label.

Skin problems are usually fairly straightforward and a doctor will be able to determine the cause of your dry skin and how best to treat it relatively quickly.

Many skin conditions are instantly recognisable just by looking at them and your treatment will vary depending on the type of condition you have.

Our GPs will be able to examine the affected area, discuss possible causes and with the correct diagnosis, get you the medication or specialist treatment you need to tackle your skin condition.

Simply hit the button below to book your appointment and talk to a doctor online about your skin condition right now.

DRY SKIN

Dr Eddie Roche - Medical Officer

Whta is dry skin?

What causes dry skin?

Dealing with dry skin