What Are the Causes of Dry Skin?

QUESTION: I have extremely dry skin and I wonder what causes it. I could use
creams and lotions all day, but I still wind up with itchy, dry, rough and
scaly skin. What can I do?
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ANSWER: You may have "atopic eczema" or a condition called "ichthyosis", but
in either case this is just an educated guess on my part since skin conditions
must certainly be seen to be diagnosed properly. Eczema is a superficial
inflammation that causes itching, with a red rash that amy be accompanied by
small blisters. Eczema is often treated with local applications of
corticosteroids. Ichthyosis is a congenital condition, in which the skin is
dry, rough and scaly because of a defect in the way the body processes a
protein called keratin.
Another frequent cause of dry skin is excessive exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) light, leading to thin, inelastic, dry scaling skin. Until you can get
an appointment with your family physician or dermatologist, you may help
yourself by using a lubricant over your entire body after you bathe or shower,
while your skin is still moist. The lubricant helps the hydrated skin to
retain water, resulting in softer skin. Ask your pharmacist for a
recommendation, since many over-the-counter products are very effective.
People with dry skin should use superfatted soaps such as Dove and Tone.
In cold Northern areas, some dermatologists suggest patients with
extremely dry skin limit the use of any soap to only the necessary areas, such
as the armpit and groin.