Flaky skin can be caused by various factors, including skin infections, chronic diseases, allergens, dehydration, and excessive exposure to heat. It can be a symptom of a serious health condition, but more often, it is a response to mild skin conditions or adverse environmental factors. Moisturizing and avoiding irritants can help alleviate symptoms.
Flaky skin is a common health problem that can have many different causes. While rarely a dangerous condition in itself, flaky skin can sometimes be a symptom of a serious health condition. More often, however, the appearance of dry, flaky skin is in response to a mild skin condition or exposure to adverse environmental factors.
In some cases, peeling skin can be a sign of a skin infection. Fungal, yeast, and staph or strep infections can all present with peeling skin. These infections usually have other symptoms, including red spots on the skin, discoloration, or blisters and pimples. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may want to see a doctor for further tests.
Some chronic diseases may also include flaky skin as a common symptom. Patients with autoimmune diseases, such as AIDS, can sometimes develop patches of dry, scaly skin. Chronic skin conditions, such as psoriasis, can also cause large flakes of skin and scaly patches of skin to appear all over the body. Medicated ointments may be helpful for those who have a chronic condition, but the flaking may not be fully treatable or may recur regularly.
One of the most common causes of flaky skin is exposure to allergens. Contact dermatitis is a very common rash that occurs when the skin is exposed to an irritant that causes an allergic reaction. Irritated skin may initially become red, swollen, and itchy, but it can also dry out and flake over time. If your skin flakes immediately after using a new skin product, such as lotion, soap, or makeup, consider stopping use of the product for a few days to see if the flaking subsides.
Another major cause of flaky skin is dehydration caused by dry air. In dry winters, the sebaceous glands that keep skin hydrated can become prone to dryness, leading to dry, itchy, or flaky skin. One way to combat this is to use a stronger moisturizer during the winter months. For best results, moisturizer should be applied immediately after bathing, when pores are open.
A final common cause of flaky skin is excessive exposure to heat. People who take very hot baths or showers or those who spend a lot of time in saunas or hot tubs may be more prone to dehydration of the skin. This particular cause can also contribute to dry skin outbreaks during the winter, when people are more likely to use hot water as a means to keep warm. Taking lukewarm showers or baths and using a moisturizer can help reduce dry, flaky skin caused by exposure to hot water.
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