Dry Spots on Skin

Our skin is the first defense of our body against external elements. But at times, the external conditions can be so strong that it can damage the skin to some extent. Winter plays an important role in drying up the skin due to less humidity in the environment.

Extremely cold weather or overexposure to sun-rays can lead to cracked skin. On the other hand, dehydration and aging are also common culprits behind withered skin. Apart from these there are other factors that also lead to this condition.

Things like harsh soaps or cosmetics, medications, taking long hot showers, etc., result in moisture-loss and can make skin flaky even in the summers.

Medical conditions like eczema can cause dry white patches on the skin. Eczema is a skin problem where the epidermal layer of the skin swells up and reddens. You might also experience itching and crusting of these dry spots.

Psoriasis can be another cause of dry spots accompanied by flaky skin. This is difficult to cure and needs to be diagnosed by a dermatologist immediately.

You can try the following treatment for dry spots at home itself. If you do not see any improvements in 1-2 weeks, it is best to visit a dermatologist.

• First, find out whether you are drinking enough water or not. If no, then you need to gulp down more water to stay fresh and hydrated.

• Fresh juices are a good way to keep up your skin texture. But stay away from aerated drinks and caffeine.

• Normally, people are recommended to drink 8 glasses of water every day. However, it also depends on your health and location.

• People living in dry or cold area might not feel the need to drink a lot of water, but make it a point to consume the necessary amount of water daily without fail. Similarly, people who do exercises and are sick with fever or diarrhea need to increase their daily water intake.

• Protecting your skin from harsh weather is also essential. Wearing hats and using sun protection umbrellas are necessary to prevent sun damage that can cause dryness on the skin.

• Use a sunscreen lotion and a moisturizer from quality brands depending on your skin type and climate.

• Stay away from harsh cosmetics and also skip the use of your regular soap. Opt for a herbal or a homemade body scrub for a few days.

• In case, your profession demands application of make-up everyday, you can choose natural or non-comedogenic products to avoid skin problems.

• Vitamin E is known to be one of the best solutions for dry skin and eczema. It stabilizes and firms the skin and gets rid of fine wrinkles too.

• Anti-oxidant properties of vitamin E shield the skin cells from sun damage or overexposure to air-conditioned environment. You can apply the vitamin E while your skin is wet in order to seal in the moisture.

• You can apply honey over the spots directly to cure the problem. You can also use a mixture of ½ tsp of honey and an egg yolk for this problem. Add 1 tsp dried out milk powder to this mixture. Mix well to form a paste and apply over the affected area. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

• Application of olive oil over the dry spots is one of the safest and effective remedies. Apply it at least 2-3 times a day and massage gently in the area. Do not wash it off if possible. Else, you can just cleanse it after an hour.

Dry skin is an annoying problem which increases tenfold if it starts itching too. That's why keep in mind to avoid long hot shower even though it's quite tempting. Indulge in 20-30 minutes of exercise everyday to regulate the blood circulation in the body.

Use humidifiers in the winters which will reduce the loss of moisture from the air. Lastly, regular skin care especially cleansing should not be missed.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.