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In many cases people with dry skin do not require a formal medical diagnosis. Topical moisturizers may treat the condition. When dry skin is not relieved by home care methods, consulting a physician (often a dermatologist) may be necessary.

To determine the cause of dry skin, a physician will obtain a medical history and perform a thorough physical examination, paying careful attention to all parts of the skin. To further understand the cause of the dry skin, a physician may ask questions such as:

• When did the skin become dry, or has it always been dry?
  
  
• Are all parts of the body affected? If not, which areas are involved?
  
  
• What seems to make the dryness worse?
  
  
• Are any methods successful in alleviating the dryness?
  
  
• Are there any other symptoms?
  

In addition, a physician may order blood tests to rule out underlying health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypothyroidism) that may be responsible for the dry skin. A biopsy to remove a sample from any lesions may also be performed to check for the presence of bacteria or infection (e.g., cellulitis).