Causes of Female Dry and Itchy Skin. Menopause & HRT Treatment
No one enjoys having dry or itchy skin. Unfortunately for women this is a common problem. There are several factors that can cause dry or itchy skin, and the cause will dictate the best solution. If you’re a female dealing with dry or itchy skin, here are some common causes and what you can do about them.
Menopause
First, depending on your age, the cause could be menopause. Menopause starts happening usually between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can also happen much sooner. When going through menopause, women may experience symptoms such as hot flashes, chills, trouble sleeping, weight gain, or dry and itchy skin. If you’re experiencing any of these other symptoms along with your dry skin, and you’re around the right age, menopause could be the reason.
One of the best treatments for menopause symptoms is HRT. HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy, is a treatment in which a doctor will introduce more estrogen into your system. This is done via either a patch, a pill, or through injections. The added estrogen helps to balance out your hormones and reduce some of the symptoms associated with menopause. To learn if an HRT treatment is right for you, you should talk to your doctor.
Skin Conditions
Another possible reason for your dry and itchy skin is a skin condition. Skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema can dry out your skin and lead to itching. Talking to a dermatologist will help you figure out if you have one of these skin conditions, and if so, then can prescribe some medications. Most skin conditions that dry out your skin are manageable, so make an appointment with a doctor as soon as you can to start getting relief.
Dry Weather
Sometimes our skin becomes dry and itchy because of the environment around us. In particularly dry weather, such as during the Winter, skin can become dried out. The simple solution in this case is typically some lotion on the affected area. You may also want to consider the humidity inside your home, and if it’s too dry, adding in a humidifier.
Hygiene Routine
Next, the source of your dry and itchy skin could be the result of your hygiene practices. For example, if the water during your showers is too hot, it will dry out your skin. Or you could be using a soap or shampoo that is too harsh on your skin. Try switching up the products you use and turning down the temperature a bit when you shower. Also consider applying some lotion after you shower to reintroduce some moisture into your skin.
Dehydration
Finally, to keep your skin from feeling dry and itchy it’s important that you drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to several issues, one of which is dry skin. The recommended amount of water to drink each day is about 64 fluid ounces. Grab yourself a water bottle that has measurements on it and start keeping track of your fluid intake. If you find that’s it low, you may have found the source of the problem.
Dealing with Your Dry and Itchy Skin
Don’t suffer through dry and itchy skin any longer. If basic home remedies don’t work, like drinking more water or adding in a humidifier, you should talk to your doctor. They can diagnose the cause – such as menopause or a skin condition – and recommend a course of action that will help you manage the problem.