Are you wondering what causes dry elbows? How to care for dry elbows? Or perhaps how to prevent dry elbows. Either way, look no further, you are in the right place!
What are dry elbows
Dry elbows is a common skin condition with several causes, it is more common for your elbows to dry out than many other parts of your body. Not only we can be forgetful and neglect our elbows, but also because of lifestyle habits or our environment can impact our elbows. We will cover this throughout the article.
Why is the skin different on your elbows?
Your elbows are used a lot more than you probably notice, they are in contact with different Surfaces – Whether that’s helping you get up, leaning on the kitchen table, certain exercise routines, or just simply holding your head up on your desk. Either way, this makes your skin thicker than other parts of your body, and it can therefore cause a greater risk of you experiencing dry elbows.
There are also other reasons why you may suffer from dry elbows such as;
- Body dehydration
- Change of weather conditions
- Friction from clothing or resting your elbows on hard surfaces
- Certain soaps or lotions
- Hot baths or showers can also dry out your skin
- Using powders which dry out your skin
- Eczema is also a common medical condition which causes dryness
- Chlorine, if you enjoy swimming the chlorine from swimming pools can cause your skin to dehydrate
Symptoms to look out for
Dry elbows can make the skin on and around the elbow itchy, red and possibly sore. Here are some common symptoms to look out for to determine If your elbows are dry.
- Itchy, uncomfortable skin
- Sore, cracked or bleeding
- Flaky, peeling or scaly looking appearance
- Discoloured, darker patch than the rest of your skin
Allow your elbows to heal
Wearing soft clothing to reduce the friction can really help you, also avoid picking or itching your elbows as this will prolong the healing.
What is discoloured elbows
Having discoloured elbows is completely common, your elbows buildup dead skin cells which make the joint look flakey and patchy. There is a few things we can do to remove the discolouring and dryness.
- Exfoliate your dry elbows regularly to remove dead skin cells
- Apply moisturiser on your elbows after your shower or bath
- Be aware that some clothing such as polyester can iritate the area, causing sweating and friction
- Consuming water is important for your body to stay hydrated
- Consider changing your fabric softener, shower gels or moisturisers as your skin can be sensitive to this
- A body oil can help to regenerate the oils in your skin, particularly when it contains coconut oil
Home remedies for dry elbows
Closing the right moisturiser for your skin can massively benefit you. Here’s a few of my favourite ingredients. You can pick up products from most stores which contain these ingredients. Its important to note that if your dry elbows are due to a medical condition such as eczema, then to consult your doctor.
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Cocoa butter
How to care for dry elbows – Conclusion
Dry skin is a common condition, and although dry elbows can be uncomfortable, symptoms often are short term. If you hydrate well, moisturise daily, change up a few things in your lifestyle, it will most likely clear up in no time. Alternatively, speak to your doctor or pharmacist, and there will be over the counter products that they can advise you to use.
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