Dehydration is one of the leading causes of dry skin, as it decreases the skin's ability to retain moisture. When the skin is dehydrated, it becomes more susceptible to damage and dryness, leading to flaking, cracking, and itching.
Dry skin and cracked lips can be a sign of dehydration. If you do not drink enough water, your body will start to show dehydration. Dry skin and cracked lips are just two of the many signs. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to get the proper diagnosis, as many other health conditions can cause these symptoms.
The skin turgor test is a way for healthcare professionals to check if someone is dehydrated. To do the test, they grab a piece of skin on the lower arm or abdomen between two fingers and then release it. The person is dehydrated if the skin takes a long time to return to its normal position.
If you pinch the skin on your arm and release it, hydrated skin will snap back into place quickly. Dehydrated skin, however, will take longer to return to its normal position. This decreased skin turgor is usually a sign of moderate to severe dehydration.