Most cases of dry skin respond well to lifestyle changes and home remedies. You may need help from your primary care doctor or a doctor who specializes in skin conditions (dermatologist) if:
- You’ve tried self-care steps but your signs and symptoms persist
- Your skin becomes inflamed or painful
- You develop dry, thick skin as a side effect of cancer treatment
- Your condition makes you so uncomfortable that you’re losing sleep or are distracted from your daily routines
- You have open sores or infections from scratching
- You have large areas of scaly or peeling skin
You’re likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. Sometimes, you may be referred directly to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist). Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For dry skin, some basic questions to ask include:
- What’s the most likely cause of my dry skin?
- Do I need tests?
- Is it likely the condition will clear up on its own?
- What skin care routines do you recommend?
Your doctor is likely to ask you several questions, such as:
- How long have you had dry skin?
- Do you have other symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- What, if anything, makes your skin better?
- What, if anything, makes your skin worse?
- What medications are you taking?
- How often do you bathe or shower? Do you use hot water? What soaps and shampoos do you use?
- Do you use moisturizing creams? If so, which ones, and how often do you use them?
