5 signs of dehydrated skin and ways to fix it

Do you ever feel like your skin will remain dry, itchy, or sensitive no matter what you do? Well, these may be the signs of dehydrated skin. Please take note that dry skin and dehydrated skin are two different problems. In case you’re confused, we are going to today discuss the tell-tale signs and symptoms of dehydrated skin so that you can cure the problem effectively.

Health Shots got in touch with Dr Rashmi Ravindra, Consultant Dermatology and Cosmetology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, who listed signs of dehydrated skin.

Dr Ravindra says, “There are different signs that show skin is lacking hydration. That means dehydrated skin. This occurs when a person loses more water than they take.”

Here are 5 signs that show your skin is lacking hydration:

1. Dry skin

Dehydrated skin can result in dryness. Dr Ravindra says, “There may be a general dryness of the skin, or a patchy dryness, or scaly lesions with or without itching. ” This is due to the lack of moisture content in the skin, which happens from within.

You need to take proper care of your dry skin. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Dullness

If your complexion looks dull, uneven, and tired, this may be a result of dehydrated skin.

3. Dark circles and wrinkles

When your body is not properly hydrated, dark unde-reye circles can be seen along with sunken eyes. In fact, there will be more fine lines and wrinkles, which means skin has become less elastic.

4. Itching

This is a very common symptom of dehydrated skin. If you’re experiencing patches, scaly and itchy skin, that clearly means your skin is lacking moisture and hydration.

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5. Dry eyes, lips and mouth

Dehydrated skin also involves symptoms such as dry eyes, dry mouth, and dry lips as well.

Side effects of dehydrated skin also include:

• Breakouts or acne: Dry skin increases the likelihood that your pores may enlarge, allowing acne-causing germs to penetrate deeper into your skin.
• Redness: Dry skin is typically not dangerous. But if it’s neglected, dry skin can lead to skin dehydration, which can lead to rashes, cracked skin, and redness.
• Inflammation: Skin inflammation and rashes can lead to redness, discomfort, itching, and dryness. They can also be difficult to identify and treat.
• Congestion: Dead skin cells, sweat, pollutants, and sebum accumulate in the pores, causing congestion.
• Increased skin sensitivity: Dehydration makes your skin more sensitive and prone to inflammation. Raised skin sensitivity is characterised by rashes, dry areas, and redness.

What’s the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?

Yes, here is a difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. In the case of dry skin, the natural oils in the skin are relatively less. It can be seen in conditions associated with eczema or psoriatic skin or due to the natural, frequent washing of the skin or unnaturally dry skin. Whereas in dehydrated skin, there is insufficient water content that is due to insufficient water consumption.

Dry skin can become acne-prone skin. Image courtesy: Pixabay

How to hydrate your skin?

1. Drink water: To keep your skin hydrated well, an adequate amount of water intake is a must. Preferably, taking at least three to four glasses of lukewarm water in the morning is of great importance.

2. Antioxidants: Consume an adequate amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet which have antioxidant action. This will keep your skin soft and supple.

3. Facial oil: If you have a dry skin tendency you can apply facial oil before and after bath.

4. Keep bath short: Proper bathing is essential to avoid dry skin. But do not spend a long time in the shower. Taking a short quick bath with lukewarm water will be helpful.

5. Moisturizer: Do not forget to apply a good amount of moisturiser and especially apply it immediately after bath. This is for regular hydration and to keep the skin supple.

Takeaway

In the case of dehydrated skin, adequate water intake, a good amount of fruits and vegetables, and topically using a gentle cleanser followed by a moisturiser and applying sunscreen if you’re going out are all ways to hydrate your skin. So, follow these tips.

Symptoms, causes, treatment, and more

Dehydrated skin is different from dry skin. It is a symptom of dehydration throughout the body. If a person uses and loses more water than they take in, they will become dehydrated.

In this article, we look at the common symptoms and causes of dehydrated skin. We also outline treatments and suggest when to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.

The human body is 55–65% water. Every cell, tissue, and organ within the human body needs water to function properly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the body needs water to:

• sweat to prevent overheating
• avoid constipation
• lubricate and cushion joints
• protect the spinal cord
• protect sensitive tissues
• remove waste from the body via urination and bowel movements

The body is using up water constantly. People need to replace the water they lose by drinking water and other fluids.

If people use more water than they take in, they can become dehydrated. Dehydration can affect all parts of the body, including the skin.

Dry skin and dehydrated skin are similar. However, although they can look the same, they are due to different factors.

When dry skin occurs, it means that the skin is not producing enough natural oils it needs to maintain itself. This can happen for a few reasons.

A person may have a skin condition, such as dermatitis or eczema. Frequent washing can also cause dry skin by stripping the oils present in the skin. Additionally, some people naturally have drier skin than others.

By contrast, dehydrated skin is a result of insufficient consumption of water.

Examining the other symptoms a person is experiencing can help healthcare professionals tell the difference between dry and dehydrated skin.

Mild dehydration is common. One of the symptoms of dehydration is dry skin patches.

The patches might be rough, scaly, or itchy. People may also have more noticeable fine lines in the skin or a dull complexion. They may also find that their skin is less elastic, or stretchy, than usual.

Dehydration in adults

In adults, other symptoms of dehydration include:

• thirst
• dry lips
• dry mouth
• urinating less than usual
• sweating less than usual
• tiredness
• dizziness
• sunken eyes
• dark urine with a strong smell

Dehydration in infants, toddlers, and children

Symptoms of dehydration in infants, toddlers, and children can include:

• dry mouth
• dry tongue
• not producing tears when crying
• high fever
• unusual sleepiness or drowsiness
• irritability
• sunken eyes
• dark, strong-smelling urine

A person becomes dehydrated when they use or lose more water than they take in.

Common causes

There are numerous causes of dehydration, including:

• not drinking enough water
• sweating too much
• losing fluids through diarrhea or vomiting
• having a fever
• having a sunburn

It is worth noting that some people are at higher risk of dehydration than others.

People often lose their sense of thirst as they age. This means that some older adults do not drink enough water or other fluids.

Infants, toddlers, and children can also be more at risk. This is because they are more likely to experience diarrhea and vomiting than adults.

Certain health conditions

Some health conditions can contribute to dehydration. For example, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney dysfunction can make people sweat or urinate more often.

Some medications

There are several medicines that can affect the balance of fluids in the body. Some of the medications that can contribute to dehydration are:

• diuretics
• laxatives
• antacids
• antihistamines
• blood pressure drugs

Treatment will depend on the severity of dehydration.

To treat mild dehydration, a person should drink lots of water. Drinking sports drinks that contain electrolytes may also help.

Children who are dehydrated might benefit from oral rehydration solutions. These are available to buy over the counter in most drug stores.

Severe cases of dehydration can be very dangerous. A doctor will treat severe dehydration in the hospital. Usually, healthcare professionals will give a person fluids via an intravenous drip.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, to avoid dehydration, a person needs to:

• drink plenty of water every day
• drink plenty of water when exercising
• avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks
• drink more water in hot weather
• drink more water when sick

Mild cases of dehydration are common. People can treat themselves by drinking plenty of water.

However, sometimes dehydration can be very serious. It can lead to a drop in blood pressure and prevent major organs from working properly. Severe dehydration can affect the:

• brain
• heart
• kidneys
• immune system

Anyone who experiences mild symptoms of dehydration along with any of the following signs should seek emergency medical attention:

• fainting
• confusion
• lack of urination
• quick breathing
• quick heartbeat

The body needs a constant supply of water to maintain itself and carry out essential physiological functions. If a person uses and loses more water than they take in, they will become dehydrated.

A common symptom of dehydration is dry skin. People might notice patches of rough, scaly, itchy skin. These might co-occur with some of the other symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, tiredness, or dark urine.

Drinking plenty of water daily is the most effective treatment for mild cases of dehydration. Severe cases can be dangerous and need urgent medical attention.

Rash after fever in children. Treatment of rash in children. – FxMed

Young children often get viral infections accompanied by high fever. Some common childhood illnesses, including roseola and scarlet fever, which appear after a fever has passed, are accompanied by a rash.

Fever is not a disease, but a sign that the body’s immune system is fighting infection. The body raises its temperature to fight invading bacteria or viruses.

Children aged 1-3 often get sick because:

• their immune system is not yet fully developed
• they constantly come into contact with a large number of viruses, especially in school and preschool institutions
• they often put dirty hands or other foreign objects into their mouths

What are the most common illnesses in children that are accompanied by a rash after a fever?

Several common childhood illnesses may be accompanied by a rash after a fever. Most of them have a favorable course, but some require medical treatment, so it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.

Roseola infantum or sixth disease

Roseola infantum, also called roseola or sixth disease, is a viral infection. Babies and toddlers transmit the virus through saliva, coughs and sneezes.

Roseola can cause a sudden high fever of 38-39°C that lasts 3-6 days. Most children are active and have no other signs or symptoms at this stage of the illness, but some children may experience:

• decreased appetite and refusal to eat
• eye swelling or conjunctivitis
• cough
• runny nose
• stool disorder
• swollen lymph nodes
• drowsiness or irritability.

As a rule, body temperature returns to normal on the third or fourth day of illness. After that, a rash appears.

In most cases, the rash of roseola:

• consists of small pink spots, about 2-5 mm wide (mm)
• can be slightly raised or flat
• starts on the body and may spread to the arms, neck and face
• does not itch, does not hurt
• disappears when

is pressed

• resolves on its own in 1-2 days

The incubation period for roseola is 7-14 days, meaning that symptoms may appear up to 1-2 weeks after infection. For treatment, antipyretic drugs and a large amount of liquid are used. Antibiotics for roseola are not used.

The virus that causes roseola has a neurotropic effect, so children often become irritable, whiny and sleepy.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is a highly contagious disease that spreads from person to person.

Scarlet fever results from infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria. This type of bacteria can also cause oropharyngeal infections and specific skin infections such as impetigo.

Infected children can shed the bacteria through:

• coughing and sneezing
• sharing meals or drinks
• touching infected areas of the skin of a sick person

Symptoms of scarlet fever may include:

• fever of 38 or more
• a red rash that starts on the neck, armpits, or groin area and spreads throughout the body
• red “burning” throat, sore throat
• white coating on the tongue
• redness in skin folds, e. g. under the arms and inside the elbows and inner thighs
• headache
• body aches
• nausea, abdominal pain or vomiting

Rash in scarlet fever rough, skin feels like sandpaper. It usually appears 1-2 days after the onset of fever, but may appear on the 7th day.

The area around the mouth usually remains pale, even if the rest of the face appears red. After the rash has gone, the skin may peel off.

A child with symptoms of scarlet fever should see a doctor as soon as possible. Rarely, group A streptococcal infections can cause serious complications, such as heart or kidney problems.

Most cases of scarlet fever are treated with antibiotics.

Hand-foot-mouth disease

Hand-foot-mouth disease is common in children under 5 years of age. Several different viruses can cause this disease, but the most common are enterovirus infections, such as Coxsackievirus and children can become infected through:

• saliva
• coughing and sneezing
• vial liquid

Hand-foot-mouth disease often begins with fever, but may also present with sore throat, anorexia, and malaise.

Approximately 1-2 days after the onset of the disease, ulcers and a rash may appear.

Characteristic signs of the rash include:

• mouth sores that are initially small but develop into painful blisters
• flat, red patches on palms or soles
• flat, red spots or blisters on the buttocks or groin

Although most enterovirus rashes resolve spontaneously, ulcers can be painful. If a child cannot eat or drink, there is a risk of dehydration. Children who do not eat or drink, are lethargic and drowsy, should be examined by a doctor immediately.

Fifth disease

Fifth disease, or erythema infectiosum, is a viral infection that usually occurs in children in the first 3 years of life. Parvovirus B19 is a virus that is spread through the air through sneezing or coughing.

Symptoms of the fifth disease may include:

• fever
• headache
• runny nose

Redness of the cheeks is a characteristic symptom of this disease. In a small percentage of children, a red, patchy rash can be seen on the chest, buttocks, arms, and legs a few days after the cheeks turn red.

The rash may be itchy, tends to form a lacy pattern, and may last for several weeks.

The fifth disease goes away without a trace in most children. However, complications can develop in children and adults with weakened immune systems.

Since this is a viral disease, antibiotics are not effective. Plenty of fluids, rest, and antipyretic drugs are treatments that have proven effective.

How to treat diseases that are accompanied by a rash after a fever?

When giving medicine to a child:

• be sure to consult a doctor
• always follow the instructions on the package

carefully

• do not exceed the maximum age dose of the drug

Encourage your child to drink enough fluids.

In most cases, the child will recover without any complications. However, it is important to monitor symptoms closely.

If symptoms worsen or do not disappear, do not postpone a visit to the pediatrician or family doctor

Dehydrated skin – what it looks like, what to do and how to care for it

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How to tell if your skin is dehydrated

Dehydration of the skin is a disease most often associated with a lack of moisture, and anyone can experience it, regardless of skin type – including people with oily or combination skin.

Signs of dehydrated skin:

• loss of skin elasticity,
• high skin sensitivity,
• skin tightness,
• small, well defined wrinkles,
• peeling,
• irritations,
• dark circles under the eyes,
• dull skin color,
• itching.

A good way to tell if your skin is dehydrated is to do a pinch test on your face and body. Although it is not definitive, its results will be quite demonstrative.

Beauty test

1. Grasp the skin on the cheek, stomach, chest or back of the hand like a pinch and hold for a few seconds.
2. By how quickly the skin returns to its normal state, one can judge its elasticity – if it takes up to a minute to return to normal, the skin may be dehydrated.
3. You can repeat this test on different skin areas.

What is the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin

It is important to distinguish between skin that is deprived of moisture (and therefore becomes dry) temporarily, under the influence of various circumstances, and skin that is dry from birth. Although dry skin and dehydrated skin are quite similar in appearance, they are actually two completely different problems. And each requires its own special approach on the face or body.

Dry skin is a type of skin that a person acquires from birth, it is inherited. The most common reason for persistent dryness lies in the fact that the skin does not produce enough sebum. At the same time, the amount of water from dry and oily skin is not so different, the problem is in a weak lipid barrier. Dry skin loses moisture too quickly. Hence – the same increased sensitivity, lack of elasticity, peeling, and with them – an increased risk of dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema. You can’t change your skin type, but you can improve its appearance by adding oil-rich cosmetics to your daily skin care routine.

On the other hand, dehydration of the skin is not a skin type, but only a temporary condition. And the key difference from dry skin is that dehydration of the skin of the face or body causes a lack of water, not oils. Therefore, even oily skin can be dehydrated. To help it recover, the skin needs to be moisturized. But not only that – sometimes it is enough to eliminate the causes of dehydration.

Why the skin gets dehydrated

There can be several reasons why the skin on the face or body becomes dehydrated.

External factors

These are not only weather conditions, such as the hot summer sun, but also dry air in the room – especially if the air conditioner or strong heating is constantly working there.

Unhealthy diet

Lack of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as foods high in fatty acids (especially fish and seafood) can also contribute to dehydrated skin.

Lifestyle

A lot of coffee in the morning, a regular trip to the bar in the evening, constant stress and lack of sleep – all this deprives the skin of the moisture it needs. The result on the face will not be long in coming.

Improper cleansing

Primarily aggressive cleansing, such as scrubs with large hard particles. But improperly selected cosmetics in general can also cause damage to the skin.

Age-related changes

Nothing can be done, with age the skin loses its natural elasticity, becomes thinner and prone to inflammation. Tightness of the skin of the face after water is one of the clear signs of aging. You need to take care of such skin with special care – the lack of collagen and elastin can be compensated by properly selected cosmetics.

How to help dehydrated skin

Drink more water

Water consumption (as well as its lack) affects not only the skin, but also the functioning of the body as a whole. In order not to worry about dehydration of the skin, it is enough to follow three simple rules: make water your main drink; drink it whenever you’re thirsty; drink it with meals.

Choose a cool shower

Warm and even hot water is good for relaxing and pleasant to the touch, but it dries the skin and can cause dryness, itching and even a rash. Try lowering the temperature of the water when you shower so as not to dry out your skin. An alternative option is to reduce the time spent under water, if you are not ready to give up a hot shower at all.

Buy a humidifier

Oddly enough, most often dry skin occurs not in summer, under the hot sun, but in winter, when the heating is at its maximum. The air in the room becomes dry, and this immediately affects the skin of the face. The solution to the problem is a humidifier.

Rethink your diet

To keep your skin supple and hydrated, it needs fatty acids, especially omega-3s. Include in your diet more oily and semi-fat fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna), walnuts, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, spinach and egg yolks. Also add more water-rich foods to your diet, especially watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers and celery.

Avoid alcohol

It can’t be helped, drinking too much alcohol also causes skin dehydration. Try to drink less wine, or at least alternate glasses with glasses of plain water – this, by the way, will also relieve a headache the next morning.

Give up coffee

Another violator of the skin’s water balance is coffee. But don’t be afraid: if you can’t live without a latte in the morning, it’s not scary – experts assure that nothing terrible will happen from one cup of coffee a day.

Use gentle facial scrubs

Exfoliation is a good way to restore a natural glow to dull skin. Scrubs remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, accelerate the renewal of new cells, but for the skin to return to its natural state, it needs time, and dehydrated skin – from 25 days or more. And don’t forget about sensitivity: dehydrated skin is more prone to irritation itself, and harsh scrubs will only increase this effect.

Avoid alcohol-based cosmetics

Also avoid alcohol-based tonics and cosmetics with a high content of salicylic acid – they will dry out the skin even more. Alcohol-based products also include almost all perfumes (with the exception of oil-based perfumes).

Cosmetics for dehydrated skin

Cosmetics for dehydrated skin should perform two functions. First, nourish the skin, give it the necessary moisture, and secondly, seal moisture by creating a thin breathable film on the surface of the skin. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera are responsible for the first. For the second – nourishing oils and vitamin E.

How to care for dehydrated skin

To cure dehydrated skin, you need to take care of it not only from the inside, but also from the outside. We show you how to achieve this in several steps.

Mild Cleansing

The best way to cleanse dehydrated skin is with a mild cleanser and warm water. The main thing is that cosmetics should not contain aggressive chemical additives and artificial flavors. They will only aggravate the sensitivity of the skin. And in no case do not use ordinary soap – it further disrupts the natural pH balance of the skin and destroys its natural barrier.

EO Laboratorie moisturizing facial wash (for dry and sensitive skin) Botavikos Moisturizing & Care facial cleansing gel (for dry and dehydrated skin) Hada Labo Gokujyun foam wash with super-hyaluronic acid

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Moisturizing

The fastest way to moisturize your face is with sheet or gel masks. At the peak of an exacerbation of the disease, they can be used daily (best before bed to allow the beneficial ingredients to calmly do their job throughout the night). After two weeks of regular use, switch to a regimen of 1-2 times a week.

Swiss Image face mask basic care absolute hydration (deep action)Eveline Facemed face mask + moisturizing with aloeEveline Q10plusr face mask (deeply moisturizing)Orjena face mask moisturizingVaseline face mask with hyaluronic acid (super moisturizing)

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After the mask, you can apply a night moisturizer to your face. It is generally denser than its daytime counterpart and works harder. By retaining moisture inside the cells, it contributes to their rapid and effective renewal of the skin of the face. Nourishing ingredients soften and firm the skin.

Nivea moisturizing face cream (for all skin types)Hada Labo Gokujyun moisturizing face creamAlfredo Feemas moisturizing face creamEveline Bio Hyaluron Expert 30+ deep moisturizing face creamEnough moisturizing face cream with collagenAqua-fluid for face L’Oreal genius moisturizing for normal to combination skin

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Retinol

Another way to quickly restore the skin of the face is to include products with retinol in your skincare routine. Retinol (in fact, it is a form of vitamin A) is a kind of panacea for skin care. It accelerates the process of cell renewal and brings it closer to the physiological norm, actually returning the skin to its natural freshness. It also improves skin firmness and elasticity and regulates the sebaceous glands.

L’Oreal day face cream age expert lifting anti-wrinkle care 45+ (with retino-peptides) Sea Of Spa Alternative Plus night nourishing face cream (for normal and dry skin) Hada Labo Gokujyun Alfa face cream moisturizing

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Pay attention to the packaging of a cosmetic product: if it says that you should avoid the sun after using a cream or serum, then the retinol concentration is high, if there are no warnings, then it is most likely low. A high concentration of retinol can cause peeling of the skin of the face (this is how the drug works – it gets rid of the old upper layer of the epidermis), so it should be used carefully during the period of dehydration. Accustom your skin to retinol carefully and gradually.

How to moisturize your skin depending on its type

Skin type makes its own adjustments to the beauty routine and the choice of cosmetics.

Dry skin

Dry skin does not retain moisture well and a protective film must be created to retain it. A thick and oily moisturizer will not only provide the skin with the necessary nutrients, but also create a protective barrier and seal the surface. Moreover, ordinary petroleum jelly is best suited for these purposes, but if you don’t like its smell, then choose a cream with vegetable oils in the composition. Primarily shea butter, jojoba and coconut oil. But tea tree oil should be avoided. It absorbs the natural oils of the skin and can dry out an already dry epidermis.

Normal skin

Normal but dehydrated skin also needs extra moisture. But in this case, a moisturizer (such as a serum) with hyaluronic acid will work best – it works like a “moisture magnet”. In addition to this ingredient, the composition may contain aloe vera or honey.

Oily skin

Even oily skin can be dehydrated – the difficulty is that, losing moisture, the skin begins to produce even more sebum and problems with oiliness only get worse. The surest way to break this vicious circle is to give your skin the moisture it needs.