Dry
skin patches are a bane, especially when they show up on the face.
Characterized by flaking, peeling, and rough skin, these patches can rob your
skin of the luster, and lead to formation of early wrinkles and lines. Although
the change in the texture and appearance of the skin can be a cause of cosmetic
concern, dry, flaky skin can also make one susceptible to other skin
conditions. For instance, one may be tempted to scratch the affected skin due
to intense itching. This can aggravate the condition and may increase the risk
of secondary bacterial infections. One of the common questions among people is
why do these patches appear on the face despite moisturizing and caring for the
skin. Although you might religiously follow a good skin care regime, the itchy,
dry patches on the skin, also known as xerosis, can still flare up. Factors
like dehydration, overexposure to the sun, chemicals, and side effects of
particular medications, may rob the skin moisture, leaving it dry and flaky. In
case of women, hormonal changes during pregnancy could be the culprit. Certain
medical conditions could also give rise to the development of flaky patches on
the face. Causes of Dry Patches on the Face Normal healthy skin is filled with
moisture along with natural lipids or fatty substances that keep the face
supple and beautiful.
When environmental factors or certain health Nouveaulift concerns
lead to this moisture being lost, it can signal the advent of extremely
embarrassing and visible dry skin patches. Cosmetic Woes Overload of chemicals
in cosmetics as well as soaps and face cleansers can strip away the natural oil
from the skin, leaving it extremely dry and irritated. Most of the facial cleansers
contain a surfactant known sodium laureth sulfate, which is a foaming agent and
is also one of the main causes of dry skin. Moisturizers with perfumes or other
scented cosmetic products can be extremely bad for the skin as well, and should
ideally be replaced with thick, creamy face creams that lock the moisture in
the skin. Toners can also leave the skin dry. Quick Fix Remedies Switch to a
non-foaming gentle cleanser. Look for a non-comedienne, hypoallergenic
moisturizer to keep away the skin dryness. To boost the skin's hydration, use
milk to clean the face. Dip a soft washcloth in a cup of milk and use it to
clean the skin. The lactic acid in the milk gently cleans the skin while the
fat hydrates it. You can also use olive oil or sweet almond oil to moisturize
and hydrate your skin. Warm the oils a little bit and gently massage a small
quantity on the face. This works very well in restricting dry patches on skin.
Use a natural dry skin mask to restore moisture to the skin. Aloe vera masks
are great for dry skin. Break open an aloe vera leaf and take some of the clear
jelly-like substance inside. Rub it on the face and leave it on for some time,
before washing it off with cold water. Environmental Hazards Changes in the
weather can wreak havoc on the skin.
The skin tends to dry out during the
winter months with the low levels of humidity caused by the drop in
temperature. The skin is then often aggravated by the usage of heating systems
like thermostats, which tend to further lower the humidity levels indoors. It
is not just the winters. Staying in cold, air-conditioned rooms for the greater
part of the day can worsen the problem and lead to white flaky patches on one's
face. Prolonged exposure to the sun can also damage the skin and rob it off its
natural oils. Quick Fix Remedies To keep the air inside the room moist, install
a humidifier in the room. Protect the face and other body parts when stepping
outdoors with protective clothing. Always apply sunscreen containing SPF 30
before stepping out. The UV rays of the sun can break down the collagen and
elastin fibers in the dermis, leading to fine lines and dry skin patches.
Medical Conditions Red, scaly and dry skin patches on the face, that appear
suddenly and remain persistent, can indicate some sort of skin disorder or
medical condition. Atopic Dermatitis: The occurrence of dry skin on the face
can be caused by a condition known as atopic dermatitis. This chronic,
long-term skin disorder is characterized by the development of rashes, which
can be extremely itchy and scaly. Besides the facial skin, the elbows, wrists,
knees and ankles could also be affected by this inflammatory condition.
The
condition often worsens when the skin is exposed to dry and cold air, or comes
into contact with certain irritants. Sudden temperature changes, fragrances in
soaps and perfumes, pollen dust and other allergies, or too much stress can
trigger off atopic dermatitis. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a chronic,
non-contagious, autoimmune disease, resulting in red scaly patches on the skin.
The disease affects areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. As the
skin rapidly accumulates at these infected sites, it takes on a silvery-white
appearance. Factors such as stress, withdrawal of systemic contortionists,
excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, can trigger the condition and result
in dry skin patches on the face and body. Diabetes: The sudden fluctuations in
blood glucose levels can lead to dehydration and drying up of the skin.
Hypothyroidism: A condition that is marked by the reduction in the production
of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism can lead to the slowing down of the
activity of the oil and sweat glands. This in turn causes rough and dark
patches on the skin. Other medical conditions that lead to dry patches on the
face are skin allergies, ichthyosis, kidney diseases, myeloma, and cancer.
Certain medications like diuretics for high blood pressure and prescription
retinoids to treat acne can lead to skin dryness. Quick Fix Remedies If an
underlying medical condition is causing dry patchy skin, treating it with
appropriate drugs and other medical treatment options would certainly help.
Topical application of steroids is usually prescribed for treating inflammatory
skin conditions. In case of skin allergies, antihistamines like
diphenhydramine, chlor-trimeton, or loratadine (Claritin, Claritin RediTabs,
Alavert) may be recommended. Using anti-itch creams containing camphor,
menthol, pramoxine or diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may relieve itchy skin. Aging
The term 'transepidermal water loss' refers to the amount of water or natural
oils that are lost through the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) through
the process of evaporation or diffusion. If the water loss is more than normal,
the skin may turn dry and dull. The natural oils that keep the skin lubricated
prevent an excessive loss of water through the epidermis. However, as we age,
the production of the natural oils by the sebaceous glands decreases. As a
result, the body is unable to hold water. This makes the elderly susceptible to
dryness of the skin. Besides dry skin, wrinkles, under-eye bags, dark circles
and sagging skin, are the skin problems that appear in old age due to the
decrease in production of proteins like collagen and elastin. Quick Fix Remedies
Using a rich anti-aging face cream with retinol (a natural form of Vitamin A)
and alpha hydroxy acids can help in dealing with dry skin due to aging. The
alpha hydroxy acids strip away the dead skin cells from the face, leading to
smoother and brighter skin, while retinol increases the elasticity of the skin.
Natural products like glycerin and Vitamin E oil can help in restoring the glow
to the face. Vitamin E will enrich the skin with moisture from within, and help
in getting rid of rough patches or the dry spots.
You can also consult a
dermatologist to know more about the products that might work for you.
Dehydration While it is necessary to have foods that are rich in vitamins and
minerals, it is also essential to drink adequate amounts of water everyday.
Failure to take in enough water can dehydrate one's skin and result in dry
flaky skin on the face. Excessive consumption of caffeinated products such as
coffee or tea can also result in dehydration, thereby causing dry skin patches.
Quick Fix Remedies Drink lots and lots of water. Avoid tea, coffee, sodas and
other caffeinated drinks Dry skin patches that are red, itchy and flaking, can
cause a lot of embarrassment. Try to find out the cause behind this skin
problem and take appropriate steps to get rid of it. Despite the best care, if
this dry skin condition persists, a visit to a dermatologist is advisable to
combat the problem.
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