Living in Canada means having to deal with harsh, dry winters which can cause dry skin or make already dry skin even worse. Dry skin is common for everyone regardless of age; however some people are more prone to it than others. There are many products out there, it’s hard to know what will work best and is safe for you and your child.

What is Dry Skin? 

Dry skin is the uncomfortable, itchy, scaly feeling that we’re all familiar with. It can affect any part of your body, most commonly hands, arms, and legs. Dry skin occurs when oils and moisture are lost from the skin barrier. This happens for many different reasons including exposure to extreme cold or hot temperatures, excessively frequent bathing or handwashing, harsh soaps and cleaning products. 

Identifying Different Dry Skin Conditions  

There are many different skin diseases that cause dry skin. Sometimes it can be tricky to figure out the cause, but this is important so that the right treatment can be used. 

Contact and Irritant Dermatitis

Contact and irritant dermatitis occurs when something touches your skin and causes a blistering, burning, and scaling rash. This is a type of allergic reaction and can be caused makeup, jewelry, chemicals, and much more. 

Atopic Dermatitis 

Atopic dermatitis is more commonly known as eczema. This is a skin condition that does not allow your skin to retain moisture, causing itchiness and patches of dryness. Infants and children are more prone to eczema.  It is estimated that up to 1 in 5 children can be affected by eczema.  

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a skin condition that mainly effects your scalp but can affect other areas of your body too. It can cause patches of inflamed, dry, flaky skin on your scalp, and even dandruff in adults and cradle cap in infants. This condition occurs when there is an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast, which is normally found on the skin. 

Psoriasis 

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes patches of redness and itchy skin. Common affected areas include the knees, elbows, and the scalp. Psoriasis is often confused with dry skin and eczema. Generally, dry skin is temporary and easy to treat, whereas psoriasis requires more intensive treatment. Psoriasis tends to cause mild itching, and eczema can lead to intense itching and redness. 

Treatment for Dry Skin 

In severe and chronic cases, it can be hard to successfully treat and may require prescription ointments and creams. Being proactive and preventing dry skin is important. Prevention methods include: 

• Avoid long hot water baths and showers 
• Use gentle cleansers 
• Introduce a beta-glucan bath treatment into your bath 
• Use beta-glucan skin products to retain moisture in the skin barrier
• Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing and showering
• Use a moisturizer throughout the day, especially after washing your hands
• Stay hydrated