Causes of Dry and Sensitive Skin
Skin dryness can occur for many different reasons.
External factors which remove moisture retaining factors from the skin:
- Very cool or very hot weather (dry air/low atmoshperic humidity)
- Central heating
- Air conditioning
- Excessive bathing or showering
- Prolonged immersion in water (leisure or occupational hazards)
- Frequent use of soap and detergents
- Exposure to UV light (sunburn)
- Dehydration due to inadequate fluid intake
- Exposure to solvents/chemicals.
Intrinsic factors affecting the skin’s ability to retain moisture:
- Certain skin diseases, e.g. eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis
- Ageing - dry skin is very common in the elderly
- Some bodily diseases, e.g. low thyroid function, adrenal disease