What causes a dry skin rash? A rash does not always accompany dry skin, but sometimes a rash accompanies the redness, flaking, and itching that go along with dry skin. Sometimes, too, dry skin can look like a rash even if it isn’t really, especially if you scratch it because then the area can become red and develop a rough or bumpy texture. If you are experiencing both a rash and dry skin, you may have a condition called atopic dermatitis.
Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis
Also known as eczema, symptoms of this condition include:
- Itching, which may be worse at night
- Small raised bumps, which may ooze fluid and may become crusty, especially if you scratch them
- Reddened, thickened skin which may look painful
- Cracked, dry, scaly skin
- Pain and swelling from scratching
- Excessive scratching may lead to infection
Experts aren’t certain what causes atopic dermatitis but the condition is associated with dry, easily irritated skin. There may be a genetic component. There often seems to be environmental factors, as well, and you may find exposure to various allergens or other substances (cigarette smoke, soaps with dyes or perfumes, laundry detergents with dyes or perfumes, pollen, air pollution, etc.) makes your dry skin rash worse.
It can be difficult to resist the urge to scratch, but you should try because scratching can break the skin, leading to infection.
Treating Dry Skin
Dry skin can usually be treated at home, with home remedies. If you have atopic dermatitis, though, especially a severe case, you may need to see a doctor. If you have any questions about your skin condition or your treatment options, we suggest making an appointment with a dermatologist, a doctor that specializes in treating skin problems.
To treat dry skin, without or without a rash, use warm water (but not hot water), when you bathe and stick to short baths or showers. Use a soap that is specially formulated for dry skin (read about our top recommended dry skin soap). Make sure you avoid harsh soaps or cleansers, which can make skin even drier and more irritated.
Pat your skin dry with a towel after washing your face or bathing. Don’t rub too hard with the towel, because that can irritate your skin. It’s best to pat your skin dry gently and leave some moisture on your skin.
After washing your face or bathing, apply a good moisturizer. Again, we recommend one that is specially formulated for dry skin. A good moisturizing helps seal in moisture and helps prevent moisture from evaporating from your skin. Apply your moisturizer immediately after bathing so that moisture is trapped in the surface cells of your skin.
If you’ve got dry skin, we recommend choosing only those skincare products that are specially formulated for your skin type. Many skincare products, including things like sunscreen and makeup, contain ingredients that strip away the naturally-occurring oils in your skin and make dry skin even worse. Many also clog the pores, which can irritate and inflame the skin, so look for products labeled non-comedogenic.
If you’re got atopic dermatitis, common ingredients in many skincare products, including dyes and perfumes, can irritate skin and make dryness and itching worse, so look for products labeled hypoallergenic or non-allergenic and read product labels carefully to make sure they don’t include unnecessary ingredients that may make your condition worse. In addition, if you have atopic dermatitis, you may notice certain things make your condition worse, such as exposure to certain allergens, use of certain soaps or skincare products, or even wearing certain fabrics. Pay attention to these triggers and avoid them whenever possible.
For more tips on how to care for dry skin, just follow the link. Of course, you can talk with your doctor or dermatologist for more information about dealing with dry skin and atopic dermatitis, as well.
Recommended Products for the Treatment of a Dry Skin Rash
The products we like best for dry skin are those offered by Eucerin. Eucerin offers a number of products designed to relieve dry, itchy skin, including face cream, hand cream, foot cream, body lotion, body wash, cleanser, moisturizer, and even products specially designed to relieve the itching and discomfort of eczema. Eucerin products are recommended by the Mayo Clinic for the home treatment of dry skin and they are highly rated by people that have tried them, as well. To learn more, just follow the links.