Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDry Skin and ShoweringOther Causes of Dry SkinRemedies and PreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Dry Skin and Showering
Other Causes of Dry Skin
Remedies and Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Hot showers may feel good, but they can also leave your body feeling dry and itchy. This is because hot water pulls moisture and oils from yourskin.Itching is a common reaction to showers, but if you notice your skin peeling or see a rash, it may be time to see adermatologist.
Read on to learn how to preventdry skinafter showering.
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Though it can be uncomfortable, the itch that can develop after showering is completely normal.
Some reasons why you may feel itchy after a shower include:
Other Causes of Dry, Itchy Skin
Certain skin conditions can either lead to dry, itchy skin or develop because of it. Long hot showers can aggravate the following skin conditions:
Damaged skin is more prone to infection and irritation, so if you see signs of a possible skin condition, don’t ignore it and contact your healthcare provider.
Remedies
If you find your skin is feeling tight, dry, and itchy:
If your itching becomes very uncomfortable, or if your skin develops a rash or peels, see a dermatologist.
How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated (and Why It’s Important)
Prevention
Some ways to help keep your skin healthy and hydrated include:
What Is the Skin Barrier?The skin barrier is the outermost layer of tissue on your body, called thestratum corneum. When it’s intact, it forms a watertight seal that protects you from damage from irritants and infection. If your skin is dry, the barrier can break down and allows even more water to escape from your skin and body.
What Is the Skin Barrier?
The skin barrier is the outermost layer of tissue on your body, called thestratum corneum. When it’s intact, it forms a watertight seal that protects you from damage from irritants and infection. If your skin is dry, the barrier can break down and allows even more water to escape from your skin and body.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou may be dehydrated. Try drinking more water during the day. Also apply moisturizer when your skin is warm and damp, which will make it absorb better.Dry skin can look rough, patchy, or flaky. It shows more lines and may crack if it’s severe. Older dry skin may look loose as well as rough.If your skin feels tight, itchy, or flaky, you have dry skin. If it gets shiny or feels greasy, you have oily skin. A person can have a combination of the two and both types can get dehydrated, so be sure not to confuse that with dry skin.It depends. If your work, exercise, or sports routine makes you sweaty, you may well need to shower every day. If your activities are more moderate, a shower every other day or so should do it, and is less likely to strip your skin of moisture. You can clean your face and areas prone to odor with a gentle cleanser.Learn MoreHow Often Should I Shower?
You may be dehydrated. Try drinking more water during the day. Also apply moisturizer when your skin is warm and damp, which will make it absorb better.
Dry skin can look rough, patchy, or flaky. It shows more lines and may crack if it’s severe. Older dry skin may look loose as well as rough.
If your skin feels tight, itchy, or flaky, you have dry skin. If it gets shiny or feels greasy, you have oily skin. A person can have a combination of the two and both types can get dehydrated, so be sure not to confuse that with dry skin.
It depends. If your work, exercise, or sports routine makes you sweaty, you may well need to shower every day. If your activities are more moderate, a shower every other day or so should do it, and is less likely to strip your skin of moisture. You can clean your face and areas prone to odor with a gentle cleanser.Learn MoreHow Often Should I Shower?
It depends. If your work, exercise, or sports routine makes you sweaty, you may well need to shower every day. If your activities are more moderate, a shower every other day or so should do it, and is less likely to strip your skin of moisture. You can clean your face and areas prone to odor with a gentle cleanser.
Learn MoreHow Often Should I Shower?
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Utah Health.Hot showers can dry out your skin.American Academy of Dermatology.Dry skin: overviewAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Dry skin: tips for managing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.Kanwar AJ.Skin barrier function.Indian J Med Res. 2018;147(1):117-118. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.232013
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Utah Health.Hot showers can dry out your skin.American Academy of Dermatology.Dry skin: overviewAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Dry skin: tips for managing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.Kanwar AJ.Skin barrier function.Indian J Med Res. 2018;147(1):117-118. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.232013
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Utah Health.Hot showers can dry out your skin.American Academy of Dermatology.Dry skin: overviewAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Dry skin: tips for managing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.Kanwar AJ.Skin barrier function.Indian J Med Res. 2018;147(1):117-118. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.232013
University of Utah Health.Hot showers can dry out your skin.
American Academy of Dermatology.Dry skin: overview
American Academy of Dermatology.Dry skin: tips for managing.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.
Kanwar AJ.Skin barrier function.Indian J Med Res. 2018;147(1):117-118. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.232013
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