Some people are troubled by the fact that their skin remains dry and itchy. Dryness leads to a sense of scratching and discomfort, which can be present continuously or intermittently. It becomes uncomfortable and embarrassing for the sufferer.Dryness of the skin is caused by many factors. With advancing age, the skin loses its elasticity as well as moisture content and starts getting more and more dry. In most people, exposure to dust or cold weather or hot sun, robs skin of its moisture, leaving it dry. Hot showers also result in dry skin.Deficiency of vitamin B. complex, particularly B3 and B5, results in dry and itchy skin. Deficiency of thyroid hormones, diabetes mellitus are, disorders that can have dryness of skin as one of the manifestations.Some collagen disorders like scleroderma cause intense dryness and tightness of skin. Mostly middle aged women are affected.Many cosmetic products particularly the anti-acne ones, contain chemicals which lead to dryness of skin. In some cases, the skin dryness is simply inherited.Whatever the reasons for a dry skin, it is uncomfortable for the affected person. In case of extreme dryness, the part affected looks ungainly, like cracked lips or heels. Moreover, this becomes a source of secondary infections.  Tips to a glowing skinKeep yourself protected from dust, hot or cold weather. Don’t rub skin dry immediately after washing or a bath; let moisture remain for a few moments. Drinking lots of water also helps in moistening skin. Fresh fruits like papaya, leafy vegetables, whole grains and nuts contain nutrients necessary for improving texture of skin.There is a huge array of lotions and creams available for preventing dry skin. But one should judge by themselves whether it is useful or not and is not producing any allergy or harm. There are many home remedies and herbal products said to benefit dry skin. Face packs of papaya, avocado, aloe vera, etc, are beneficial in improving skin complexion.A regular routine where one has enough sleepalso helps in keeping skin moist and beautiful. Moving bowels regularly is also useful in this regard. For this, one needs to take high fibre diet and lots of water. Any kind of regular exercise removes grime from the body and keeps skin glowing. It is important to know that alcohol and tobacco are harmful to the skin. Dr Pande is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital