Where your dry skin is located says a lot

When dry skin occurs, most will apply lotion and not think much of it. However, did you know that you could learn what is going on within your body by paying close attention to where dry skin is located? Sure oftentimes when the seasons change, if you have exposed yourself to harsh chemicals, or if you have tried a new perfume, it is not uncommon for you to get some form of dry skin irritation on your body. However, if you are having trouble clearing up the red, sore, or flaky areas with common over-the-counter treatments, you may have a more serious condition that needs to be looked at. Here are some areas where paying attention to dry skin is important.

Chest

The symptoms of an itchy chest may be visible to you in the forms of spots, dry patches, blisters, bumps, and red patches, along with a cracked or leathery texture. You may also not see any signs of it at all. There is an assortment of reasons why you may get this including a lack of moisture, an iron deficiency, thyroid problems, or cancer. Pregnant women often get an itchy chest as well. Allergies to perfumes, soaps, shampoo, and foods can similarly cause the problem.

Upper arms

The skin on your upper arms may feel tight and look red, shrunken, rough, and red. In severe cases, you may even see deep cracks and bleeding or inflammation. In most instances, this is caused by too much exposure to hot water or dry air. Keratosis pilaris is a health problem that may also be the reason for your irritation.

Stomach

Stomach dry skin will look like a scaling, red rash. There are plenty of causes for this problem that include allergies, a change in the temperature, sensitivity to certain types of clothing, or an underlying disease like celiac disease, liver disease, kidney issues, iron deficiency, problems with the thyroid, cancer, or anemia.

Legs

If your legs are itching, flaking, or appear tight, red, or start to peel, you are more than likely suffering from dry skin. This can be a result of too much heat to the area. Mild forms can be controlled with over-the-counter medications, while more severe forms should be examined by a physician.

Hands

Temperature and frequent hand washing are common reasons why your hands will be itchy. You will see redness, cracks, scales, and flaking if you are experiencing this form of dry skin. More serious reasons to watch out for when dealing with dry hands include physical causes like eczema and dermatitis. See a doctor if you have a dry hand irritation, such as psoriasis or hypothyroidism, that you cannot treat easily with common remedies like fragrance-free hand lotions or moisturizers.

The first course of action is to always change your habits when experiencing dry skin. Get rid of fragrances and perfumes, wear gloves when cleaning, and keep yourself out of extremely dry environments. If these alterations do not alleviate your symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to make sure you do not have a more serious issue going on with your body.