Dry skin is a condition that is usually nothing to worry about and can be resolved by using moisturizer. However, there are certain circumstances that would indicate you need to see a doctor or a dermatologist, someone who specializes in skin care.
The signs and symptoms you experience from dry skin will vary from person to person and depend on your age, health, location, how much time you spend outdoors, and the underlying cause of the problem. You should be concerned if you experience any of the following:
- Your skin will not improve no matter how many remedies you have tried
- Your dry skin comes on very suddenly
- Your dry skin is accompanied by itching
- Your dry skin is accompanied by redness
- Your dry and/or itchy skin is interfering with your ability to sleep
- Your dry skin has cracked open and is bleeding
- You have open sores or infections from scratching
- You have large areas of peeling or scaling skin
If you experience one or more of the things on this list, you should call your doctor to set up an appointment as soon as possible. This will allow your doctor to determine if there is an underlying cause to your dry skin that can be treated and resolved.
Preparing for Your Appointment
If this is your first problem with dry skin, you will probably see a family doctor at first. However, depending on the severity of your skin problem, your doctor may refer you to see a dermatologist. It can be helpful to prepare a list of questions for your doctor before your appointment so you don’t leave anything out. You shouldn’t hesitate to ask your doctor about any questions or concerns that you may have.
Your doctor is likely to ask you some questions as well that will help in making a definitive diagnosis. These may include:
- What are your symptoms?
- Are your symptoms continuous or sporadic?
- What makes your skin feel better?
- What makes your skin feel worse?
- How often do you bathe or shower?
- Do you use hot water when you shower?
- What kind of shampoos and soaps do you use when you shower?
- Do you use moisturizing creams? How well do they work?
Diagnosis
Aside from asking you questions about your condition, your doctor will also probably ask you some questions about your medical history, your diet, and your overall health. Your doctor will also likely conduct a physical exam to determine if there appears to be an underlying condition that is causing your dry skin. If this seems to be the case, your doctor will probably order some diagnostic tests, such as blood tests to see if you are being affected by another medical condition, such as an underactive thyroid.
Your dry skin also might be caused by dermatitis, which can be categorized into four different types: allergic, atopic, contact, and seborrheic. Your doctor might recommend further testing to determine which type of dermatitis is causing your dry skin.
