Dry skin

What causes dry skin?

Triggers that can cause dry skin include:

• Heat – this could be from portable or central heating or fireplaces

• Seasonal change – during the winter months, humidity levels drop which can make skin drier

• Soaps or detergents – which remove the natural oil from your skin

• Hot showers and baths

• Swimming pools – chlorine can dry the skin

• Medical conditions – such as eczema or psoriasis

• Age – the skin pores naturally produce less oil as you get older

Symptoms of dry skin

• Cracked skin

• Red skin

• Flaking or peeling of the skin

• Skin can feel rough to the touch

• Itching or soreness

How to treat dry skin

An emollient (moisturiser) cream from a pharmacy will be enough to help most cases of dry skin. A pharmacist may be able to help with what suits your skin type best.

When to see a GP

• If you’ve tried a variety of over-the-counter products are are still struggling to control your dry skin

• If you skin is cracked, sore and painful

• If dry skin is affecting your daily activities

• If there are any signs of skin infection (discharge from the skin, or hot and swollen patches of skin)