What Are the Dangers of Dry Skin?

Dry skin is not usually serious. The loss of water increases inflammation. The itch can cause you to scratch and that can cause an infection. Avoid hot showers and use emollient washes and lotions.

Dry skin develops microscopic cracks which can cause more water loss from the skin. These cracks also allow irritants and bacteria to get into the skin. Also, dry skin is itchy.  Scratching escalates the amount of itch there is and can also deposit bacteria that is under our nails into scratched skin increasing the chances of infection. Plus: Dry skin looks wrinkly and doesn't have as much elasticity, so it looks older than normal. All these are great reasons... more