When the outer layer of skin is not able to maintain its natural oils and moisture, dry skin can occur. Getting rid of dry skin on the legs often depends on eating right and drinking plenty of water. Using moisturizers and lotions may also work well when caring for irritated, dry, cracked skin. When treating dry skin, it is also helpful to avoid things that may harm the skin even more.
Dry skin on the legs often occurs as the result of the skin being exposed to hot water, rough chemicals, or the sun’s rays. Certain disorders can also cause dry skin on the legs. Keeping the skin hydrated can be an important step in treating this condition. This often means drinking plenty of water and eating foods that keep skin healthy. Vegetables, fruits, and other foods that contain vitamin E, vitamin A, beta carotene, and fatty acids are considered by some experts to be skin-healthy foods.
Hot water may remove the protective oils on the top layer of a person’s skin. For this reason, taking hot baths or showers can cause dry skin on the legs. Using lukewarm or even cold water can help to prevent this problem. Immediately after taking a bath or shower in lukewarm water, it may also be helpful to use a moisturizer to treat dry skin.
There are several different types of moisturizers that may help with treating dry skin on the legs. Oil, cream, lotion, and ointment moisturizers may all be effective, although each kind has a different consistency which may sometimes affect the number of times it needs to be applied during the day. Before these moisturizers are used, check to make sure that they do not contain ingredients that may negatively affect the skin, causing it dry out more.
Environmental factors like dry air, the sun’s rays, and harsh weather can affect the amount and quality of moisture present in the skin. Wearing sun screen and protective clothing can help to protect the skin from the sun and from the dry weather that occurs during winter and summer months. Dry skin on the legs that occurs because of dry air can be treated through the use of a humidifier, which adds moisture to the air.
Certain skin conditions can result in dry skin on the legs. Dryness that does not go away with home treatments or is accompanied by other symptoms like excessive irritation, extreme thirst, changes in weight, or frequent urination may indicate a skin problem. These problems will most likely need to be evaluated and treated by a medical professional.
