Nobody wants irritating, itchy, scaly, peeling, patchy, cracking, dry and flaky skin on their body common during winter. The article provides detailed information on this problem and ways on how to combat it.
You will also know reasons the itchy, red or white flaking skin that may be on your face, legs, hands, and so on.
Flaking usually appears when the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands begins to dry up due to excess water loss from the body compared to the intake.
As the skin loses both oil and water, it begins to dry out and its topmost surface dies and begins to peel away.
Causes
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Having a flaking skin is nothing to be happy about, to know why it happens; we have some of the common causes that including:
Weather changes
During cold spells, the humidity level increases making the air dry making it dry rapidly due to a combination of dry air outside and cold air inside the house. But the season may not matter as much if you live in desert regions.
Prolonged exposure to heat
When you set your showers too hot during bathing and thinking that you are soothing your body, instead it dries out your skin making it flaky. Also, continuous exposure to wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces can reduce humidity and dry it out.
Harsh soaps and detergents
Many soaps, detergent, and shampoos we used at home may trip moisture from your skin as they are formulated to remove oil thus leaving it extremely dry flaky skin due to the chemical substances they contain.
Cosmetic Effects
This can occur from makeup or foundation. Your eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow or the tools used for applying them may have accumulated bacteria over time. This will irritate your skin, dry it out and perhaps cause it to flake.
Skin diseases
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis can cause it to dry and flake, and scales may cover your body. Also, Seborrheic dermatitis may occur on your body resulting in a red, scaly, itchy rash, typically due to oily skin.
Eczema can occur anywhere on the body and result in severe dry patches that can get very itchy, red and inflamed. Blepharitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the eyelids, due to malfunctioning oil glands.
Aging factor
As hormone levels change over the years, it normal to have a very dry flaky skin due to appearances of wrinkles and old sebum glands that provide less oil. You may need a moisturizer.
Scrubby sponge during showers
The notion whereby most of you believe that scrubbing your body up and down with rough spongy assists to remove dirt but it also causes it to dry due to that friction exerted on it. “Friction strips the skin and enhances the dryness,” says Nanette Silverberg, MD, a dermatology professor at Columbia University.
Contact dermatitis
It is a common ailment resulting from an allergic reaction to certain irritants touching your skin, according to the Eye Care Source website. It could be the fabric sweater, fabric softener, or the detergent you’re washing it in. Lots of everyday fabrics and products can irritate it from dryer sheets to perfume.
On face
What causes the dry flaky skin on face? This is the common rhetoric quizzes that always you ask yourself any time you look in the mirror and see those disgusting flaky scales around your face. Such patches on the face can create an area of easy entry for bacteria. Seek prompt medical care if you notice this problem on the cheek, around nose, eyelids, chin, neck and even spreading towards your back.
The facial skin can also exhibit signs such as cracks or breaks around red, swollen areas that are hot and tender; infected sores inside or around your mouth.
The following are some of the factors that can lead to this problem on forehead, nose, mouth, on chin or cheeks:
- Weather
- Hot baths and showers
- Harsh soaps and detergents
- Heat
- Other skin conditions such as psoriasis
On hands
If you are allergic to certain irritants you come in contact with, then you have no option but to keep away from them such as harsh soaps and detergent chemical substances they contain. This can make your hands be itchy, development of a series of blisters and even become scaly or flaky.
Some of the other irritants include:
- Nickel bracelet or watch
- Poison Ivy
- Latex
- Fragrance in Cosmetics and Skincare Products
- Formaldehyde
On legs
What causes it on legs? If you happen to have flaky skin on legs, don’t worry anymore because there are several things you have to keep off from if possible and if goes to the extreme end then you have no choice but seek medication.
Some of the causes include; eczema or bathing too frequently, according to The New York Times Health Guide. Other factors include aging, living in an arid or cold temperature and the amount of time you spend outdoors.
Also, during winter months when cold temperatures and low humidity reduce the amount of moisture available, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
White flaky skin and causes
When on face, hands or legs, it is commonly caused by the following:
Halo Nevus
It is a pink- or brown-toned mole surrounded by very light flaky or white flakes.it is advisable to visit a dermatologist to check out your body skin if there are some abnormalities.
Hypopigmentation
It can be caused by vitiligo, anemia or tuberous sclerosis, among many others underlying conditions.
Lichen Sclerosis
It usually assumes the groin region where it manifests its symptoms which include thinning skin and white patches on it. The patches may be localized or the plaques may spread over a wider area.
Morphea
It usually makes the skin to begin hardening and thickening which in turn leads to the formation of red or purple patches to appear on. The patches eventually change to a yellow tint and develop a white center. They may eventually turn brown before finally becoming white.
Pityriasis Alba
This is a disorder that can cause round or oval white patches, which are sometimes flaky.
The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology explains that these patches usually appear on the face, upper arms, neck, and torso and are most prevalent in children and teenagers with dark skin.
Tinea Versicolor
It is caused by a fungal infection that has similar characteristics with that of yeast infection that leads to athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm, but unlike those conditions, it is not contagious.
Vitiligo
This is due to a genetic condition whereby the skin loses melanin making the white flaky patches to spread throughout the body. Anyone can be affected, but it usually manifests most often in people with darker tones. While there is no cure, active treatment can slow the loss of pigment.
Red and flaky causes
The dry red flaky skin on face, hands, and legs occur due to the failure of the sebaceous glands to produce natural oil thus leading to invisible cracks that allow moisture to escape causing it to be dry, and flaky. Also, irritants will enter more easily making even sensitive skin products cause a stinging, irritating sensation.
Some of the common causes of failure of the oil glands include:
- Age,
- Hormones,
- Genetics
Itchy flaky skin
Dry itchy flaky skin is a symptom of conditions such as; People with allergies, including hay fever, asthma and eczema, People with diabetes, People with HIV/AIDS and various types of cancer, Pregnant women, and Elderly people.
Conventional approaches include prescription topical corticosteroids; vitamin D analogs (medications based on vitamin D); and controlled UV therapies that are performed in the dermatologist’s office in order to combat this issue.
How to get rid of flaky skin – remedies and treatments
The following are natural remedies on how to get rid of this problem on the face, hands, legs, or the whole body:
Precious Milk
It’s mild, has anti-inflammatory properties, and it removes dead cells from your body that has dry flaky skin by using a soft washcloth soaked in the milk and finally rinse the region with lukewarm water.
Yogurt
It can also work well due to lactic acid which can remove the bacteria that causes itchiness.it is done by applying the yogurt on the dry area then leave for some time then wash it off, and feel its freshness.
Avocado Masks
Avocado among a group of most useful fruits when it comes to beauty and skin care, mostly because of the fatty acids and vitamin A. And exactly this is the reason why you should try it for anti-dry effect.
Olive Oil and Sugar
Olive oil gives your skin a proper care while sugar exfoliate. Be extremely careful while doing this, and follow how it reacts. It should feel like a soft and pleasant massage.
Oatmeal
It is used for maintaining the hydration, oatmeal is more than welcome. It successfully prevents water loss and has a high level of proteins. Its overall benefits are amazing for dry skin treatment.
Glycerin
Glycerin has so many benefits for the skin in general: its great support in fighting acne, it’s absolutely non-toxic, it can be used even as a sunscreen, it’s excellent for sensitive skin too.
References
- http://skincare.lovetoknow.com/White_Spots_on_Skin
- https://www.scripps.org/news_items/4568-what-causes-dry-white-patches-on-skin
- http://www.dermstore.com/blog/why-you-have-red-itchy-flaky-skin/
- http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty/5-common-skin-symptoms.aspx
- http://blog.reneerouleau.com/my-cure-for-red-sensitive-extremely-dry-flaky-skin/