If you're like me, your skin changes with the season. In the summer, I'm pretty sure I get sunburnt just from walking past a window; in the winter, my skin is so dry that it feels like it's going to crack and fall off. And no matter what time of year it is, I get really itchy skin all over my body. You might be wondering: what's causing this? The good news is that there are lots of possible causes of itching and dry skin—and most of them are pretty harmless and easy to fix!
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a condition that affects the outermost layer of your skin. It's characterized by a lack of moisture, which can make your skin feel tight and itchy.
There are many possible causes for dry skin, including:
- A lack of water in your diet (for example, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol)
- A lack of humidity in your environment (such as if you live somewhere with low relative humidity and heat)
- A lack of oil on your body (caused by aging or certain medical conditions)
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of itchy skin, and can be caused by a lack of iron in your diet. Iron deficiency is also linked to anemia, which happens when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced. Anemia can make you feel tired and weak, so it’s important to treat iron deficiencies as soon as possible!
Iron supplements are available over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies without a prescription. However, some people may need to see their doctor before taking these supplements or before knowing the benefits of iron capsules because they can interact with other medications or cause side effects like nausea or constipation if taken incorrectly. You should always talk with your doctor before taking any new medication or supplement — even if that medication or supplement is available OTC!
If you think that you might have an iron deficiency due to an underlying medical condition such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (UC), ask your doctor about getting tested for low ferritin levels so that we can help treat them properly.*
Thyroid Hormone Imbalance
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- How to treat thyroid hormone imbalance
Age
Older people are more likely to have dry skin. As we age, our skin becomes drier and thinner. This increases the risk of developing wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer.
Allergies
Allergies can cause itchy skin, and allergy symptoms are caused by an immune response. Allergies are the body's overreaction to something you're exposed to that your body thinks is dangerous—like pollen or dander (tiny pieces of dead skin), for example. They're especially common during springtime and fall when plants start releasing their pollen into the air, causing seasonal allergies like hay fever. But they can also be year-round if you're sensitive to something like pet dander or dust mites.
If your doctor suspects that allergies might be causing your dry skin, he or she will probably ask about any symptoms you may be experiencing: sneezing, congestion around your nose and mouth; itchy eyes; stuffy nose; hives; rashes on some parts of the body but not others; coughing up mucus from time to time; headaches—and most importantly: how often do these happen? If they do so more than once per month then consider seeing an allergist who can help determine what exactly has triggered them this time around so that next time won't make things worse!
Eczema
If you're one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from itchy and dry skin, you already know that even the most seemingly benign actions can result in a rash or scratch. Eczema is a common skin condition that causes reddened, itchy, dry or cracked skin. While not contagious, eczema can be hereditary; therefore if your parents have itchy skin they probably gave you their genes. It's also associated with allergies—in fact one study found that 72% of people with eczema have allergic symptoms in their lungs (1).
While there is no cure for eczema yet, treatment does exist to help reduce its symptoms. The most common treatment options include creams or ointments applied directly onto the affected area and moisturizers to keep moisture locked into your skin so that it doesn't become irritated as easily by external irritants such as heat or sweat (2).
There are lots of reasons why your skin might be itchy.
If your skin is itchy and dry, you might be wondering what's causing it. There are a number of factors that can cause dry and itchy skin, including eczema, allergies, thyroid problems, age-related changes in the body (including aging), or taking certain medications.
If you're concerned that your dry skin may be caused by something more serious than just being older or having an allergy to the laundry detergent you use at home, talk with your doctor about what options are available for treatment.
Conclusion
If you’ve checked for any of the above conditions, and still can’t figure out why your skin is itchy and dry, then it might be a good idea to see a doctor. Don’t feel self-conscious about asking questions or speaking up—it could be something serious! In any case, if you find that you have one of these conditions, there are plenty of treatments available to help ease your symptoms. If not, there are still lots of ways to tackle your dry and itchy skin without medication or special creams. You know your body best, so trust yourself and stay alert for anything that seems strange; after all, the better you know yourself, the better prepared you’ll be if something goes wrong!
Originally Published at 10 Causes of Itchy & Dry Skin
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