Moisturize Me! What Your Skin Is Telling You

The following article appeared in SheKnows on April 30, 2014.

MOISTURIZE ME! WHAT YOUR SKIN IS TELLING YOU

BY MOLLY CERRETA SMITH

IF YOUR SKIN COULD TALK

Your skin is like a suit of armor — it protects you. You should give it the same courtesy. But how do you know what your skin is saying? Dermatologists interpret what your skin is drying (ahem; we mean dying) to tell you.

Your skin looks flaky, ashy or powdery and is itchy

Jennifer Lee, M.D., of REN Dermatology, says that signs of dryness on the body may be caused by not moisturizing enough immediately after showering, before putting on your clothes. She says flaky, ashy, powdery and itchy skin are signs of atopic dermatitis, often called eczema.

Your skin is peeling

Dr. Purvisha Patel, owner of and dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates says that sensitive skin can peel, itch, sting and burn as a result of a reaction to products that are too harsh for it. She advises, “People with sensitive skin may need to use medicated soaps or other products.”

Your skin has round, red patches

Other signs of dry skin are round patches of reddened skin on the body, almost in the shape of coins, which can vary in size from a dime to a quarter. Dr. Janet Prystowsky, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, says, “This is called nummular eczema and will respond slowly to over-the-counter treatment with products like Aquaphor. But for faster relief and a definitive diagnosis, consult your dermatologist.”

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