![]() If the dryness is so severe that it interferes with your ability to work or sleep, if the skin becomes cracked or bleeds, or if it doesn’t seem to be responding to prescription treatment, be sure to visit your primary care doctor or a board-certified dermatologist, suggests Harvard Health. RELATED: The Skin-Care Glossary Every Woman Needsīut sometimes the dryness will be severe and may indicate an underlying skin issue or health condition (more on that below). Marchbein says that dryness can make the skin red, flaky, or itchy, which can be uncomfortable, but beyond that, there’s usually not much to worry about. According to MedlinePlus, it’s extremely common, can occur in people of all ages, and can pop up anywhere on the body, from the hands and face to the legs and stomach. ![]() In most cases, experiencing dry skin, or xerosis cutis, isn’t a big concern. But if there’s not enough water in this top layer of cells, which can happen if the protective oils are diminished, dry skin could result. ![]() Normally, the top layer of skin is made up of dead cells and natural oils, which help trap moisture to keep the skin soft and smooth, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. But where does that lack of moisture come from? “Dry skin is caused by an impaired skin barrier and dysfunction or deficiency in the necessary healthy fats in the top layer of the skin,” says Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Downtown Dermatology in New York City. ![]() The general cause of itchy, dry skin might seem like a no-brainer: It's a lack of moisture.
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