Dry skin: Signs and Symptoms
Dry skin can manifest itself in a variety of ways, but some common symptoms include: (2)
- Itching or a feeling of tightness on the skin: Dry skin can cause a persistent feeling of discomfort, such as itching or tightness, due to the lack of moisture.
- Flaking or scaling of the skin: Dry skin can cause the skin to become flaky, scaly or peeled, particularly in areas such as the face, scalp or hands.
- Rough, uneven or dull skin texture: Dry skin can make the skin feel rough or uneven and cause a dull, lackluster appearance.
- Redness or inflammation: In some cases, dry skin can cause redness or inflammation, particularly noticeable on the face or hands.
- Cracks or fissures in the skin: Severely dry skin can cause small cracks or fissures to develop, particularly on the hands or feet, which can be painful or prone to infection.
- Fine lines or wrinkles: Dry skin can exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles, particularly on the face.
- Gray, ashy or white-colored skin in some areas: Dry skin can cause the skin to take on a gray, ashy or white appearance in some areas, particularly on the legs, arms or hands.
- Chapped or cracked lips: Dry skin can cause the lips to become chapped or cracked, which can be painful or uncomfortable.
These symptoms may be more severe in certain body areas, such as the hands, feet, elbows, or knees, where the skin is naturally drier. It is important to note that other skin conditions can also cause similar symptoms, so it is always best to consult a skin specialist or dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.