The symptoms most associated with dry skin are scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching and cracks in the skin. Only a lucky few of us have 'normal' skin; the rest of us have dry, oily or combination skin; if dryness is your skin problem, read on.

Skin is made up of loose connective tissue and elastin. The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings. Our skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity than the other organs in our body.

The symptoms most associated with dry skin are: scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching, and cracks in the skin. Serious skin complications, including a dry skin condition, can arise for people with type 2 diabetes. When the skin loses moisture it may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed.

If you break out on the skin around your eyes, it could be the shellac in your mascara; buy a shellac-free mascara like Ecco Bella's. Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin conditions; check with your pharmacist or doctor and read the drug insert - you can get one from your pharmacist. Bathing or showering too frequently, especially if one is using harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin.

Consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements, in liquid form, every day. The next time you want to have a snack, instead of junk food, help your skin - have an apple, orange, peach, pear, banana, plum, grapes, cherries, berries, cantaloupe or any other fresh fruit. Use olive oil or olive oil with fresh flaxseed oil in big, dark green salads to help your skin.

Apply cool compresses to any itchy areas. Use bath oils and moisturizers, or better yet, coconut oil, daily. Apply moisturizers just after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp.

To see what coconut oil can do for your skin fast, apply coconut oil several times a day and at bedtime. When you buy coconut oil, make sure you get the kind that hasn't been refined, processed and deodorized. Apply coconut oil to irritated or chapped lips as well; it's edible, so it's safe and so healing to the lips.

If you have acne, eczema or any type of dermatitis coconut oil will treat and quickly heal these skin conditions too. Coconut oil is the best healing, soothing, and moisturizing treatment I've found for dry skin; in fact all types of skin conditions, skin eruptions, pimples, acne, milia, irritations, cuts, burns, fungus, etc.

The skin supports its own ecosystem of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning. Functions of the skin are disturbed when it's not clean; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases and it's more prone to develop infections.

If your dry skin lasts for a long time and is itchy or feels hot when you touch it, see your doctor. Continue using coconut oil and you'll see the benefits in good, clear skin, free of dryness and other skin conditions. It's time to call your doctor for an appointment when all your home remedies do not relieve your dryness and itching.