Before you determine the right treatment for your dry skin patches, you first need to determine the cause of it.

For example, your dry skin patches could be caused by an actual skin condition that requires professional treatment. On the other hand, your dry skin patches could also be caused by something as simple as a dry environment. In any case, it’s important to consider your symptoms and potential causes before you move on to the treatment phase.

Here are some common causes of dry skin patches that involve lifestyle or environmental factors rather than actual skin conditions:

• Climate: One of the biggest causes of dry skin relates to the climate. Those who live in cold or dry climates can easily develop dry skin patches due to the lack of moisture in the air.

• Sun exposure: While the sun may mean more humidity in the air, the sun can do some damage all on its own. The sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays can zap moisture from your skin, leaving you with dry skin patches.

• Poor diet and hydration: We are what we eat, and your diet has a huge effect on your skin. It’s important to eat a healthy diet filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Specifically, dry skin can be caused by a lack of calcium, vitamin D, or vitamin E.

• Poor hydration: Water, on the other hand, is another important component as it makes up 64% of our skin. Not drinking enough water can dehydrate the skin and lead to the formation of dry patches. To ensure your body is getting enough water, try to consume at least 15.5 cups per day if you’re a man and 11.5 cups per day if you’re a woman.

• Smoking: Smoking cigarettes can create a ton of problems for your body inside and out. On the outside, smoking cigarettes can contribute to dry skin that can then lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull skin tone.

• Aging: Aging is an unavoidable part of life. As we age, our skin produces less oil and tends to dry out. As a result, dry skin patches can occur in places like the lower legs, lower arms, and elbows.

• Irritating ingredients: Dry skin could actually be caused by irritating ingredients in your soaps, detergents, or cosmetic products. We recommend utilizing gentle products with natural ingredients that are free of potentially irritating ingredients such as deodorants, detergents, fragrances, and alcohols.

Dry skin patches can also be caused by various skin conditions that may require expert treatment from a medical professional.

If any of these conditions seem to match your symptoms, it’s a good idea to set up an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns. If the cause isn’t immediately obvious, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for treatment. A dermatologist may conduct skin biopsies to provide you with a definitive diagnosis and get you on the path to treatment.

• Contact dermatitis: This condition is an allergic reaction that occurs as a result of coming into contact with an irritating substance. You can develop a red rash, itchiness, and scaling as a result of contact dermatitis. This condition can be treated with steroid creams or oral medications and is not contagious.

• Atopic dermatitis: This condition is also known as eczema and is a chronic skin condition that isn’t well understood. Atopic dermatitis commonly affects children and may be caused by genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis usually occur on the cheeks, arms, and legs and can include a rash, itchiness, cracked skin, scaly skin, and dry skin patches that have a reddish-brown color. Atopic dermatitis can be treated with creams, drugs, and light therapy.

• Seborrheic dermatitis: This condition occurs when the sebaceous glands on your skin produce too much oil, or sebum. As a result of seborrheic dermatitis, you can develop patches of white, itchy, or crusty flakes on the scalp, face, chest, and back.

• Psoriasis: This condition is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to multiply too quickly, contributing to symptoms like dry patches, red patches, scaly patches, itchiness, pain, peeling, and discoloration of fingernails and toes. Common sites of psoriasis activity include the scalp, face, palms, soles of the feet, knees, elbows, and lower back. Doctors are unsure of the exact cause of this chronic condition, although it may relate to genetics and the immune system. Psoriasis can be managed through the use of topical creams, light therapy, and certain medications.

• Ichthyosis vulgaris: This condition is a genetic skin disorder that leads to dry, itchy, flaky, scaly, and thickened skin. Ichthyosis vulgaris commonly appears in childhood, but it can still be acquired as an adult. Although there is no known cure, this condition can be managed through the use of topical creams, ointments, and oral medications.

• Athlete’s foot: This condition is caused by a fungal infection that typically occurs around your toes and feet. Symptoms of athlete’s foot include iching, stinging, burning, and a scaly rash. This condition is quite contagious and is easily spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. Athlete’s foot can be treated with antifungal ointments and creams.