dry skin after washing

Hi there....I have had a problem with dry skin for the last 5 months; it started after i hit the gym and used their basic anti-bac hand wash on my face everytime I came of a fitness machine (sometimes I would wash nearly 4-5 times in one session.....I noticed after I came out the shower my skin wash really dry (looked like a dry river bed), it was not red nor itchy just scaley and it only appeared on my cheeks.
The doctor prescribed me daktacort cream which I used over 2 weeks.....this resolved the problem but my skin still goes dry after showering or swimming, its not like before just looks dry and flaky but no redness, i use an oil free moisterizer which takes the dryness away.
I never suffered from dry skin so i can only put it down to excess washing at the gym....

I am taking evening primrose oil 3000mg and zinc tablets per day.

Can anybody recommend anything to reverse the damage......somebody told me it could be eczema but i have no itching, redness just dry skin after washing..

Rob

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This could be due to dry skin or seborrheic dermatitis also. It is usually caused by overgrowth of Malassezia furfur. This skin disease commonly affects adolescents and young adults, especially in warm and humid climates and is aggravated by sweating and humidity.

Topical antifungals and mild steroids are the usual treatment and combination of the two can be used to treat stubborn patches. Oral antifungal drugs and immunomodulators such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are used in very severe cases. The other possibilities are of eczema, contact dermatitis or dermatitis. Best would be to consult a dermatologist and get biopsy skin done to confirm the diagnosis.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.