Living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can feel like managing a hundred different symptoms at once—racing heart, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog… the list goes on. But one lesser-discussed, yet surprisingly common symptom among those with POTS is dry skin.
If you’ve been slathering on lotion and wondering why your skin still feels tight, flaky, or itchy, you’re not alone—and it might be more connected to your autonomic nervous system than you think.
POTS is a form of dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and—yes—sweating and skin hydration. When this system doesn’t work properly, the effects can show up in unexpected places, including your skin.
Why Does POTS Cause Dry Skin?
Here are a few key reasons why people with POTS might experience dry skin:
- Reduced Blood Flow to the Skin: When you stand up, your blood vessels are supposed to constrict to keep blood flowing to your brain and extremities. In POTS, that mechanism is faulty. Instead, blood can pool in the lower half of the body, leading to poor circulation. This reduced blood flow to the skin can impair the delivery of nutrients and moisture, making your skin feel dry or even appear discolored or blotchy.
- Sweat Dysfunction: Many people with POTS also experience anhidrosis (reduced or absent sweating) or hypohidrosis, especially in localized areas. Sweat plays a key role in skin hydration and temperature regulation. If your body isn’t sweating properly, your skin can become dry, itchy, or prone to cracking.
- Dehydration: People with POTS are often encouraged to increase their fluid and salt intake to help maintain blood volume and pressure. But despite these efforts, many still struggle with chronic dehydration, especially if nausea, vomiting, or GI issues are part of their symptom profile. Dehydrated bodies often lead to dehydrated skin.
- Comorbid Conditions: POTS frequently overlaps with other conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and autoimmune disorders—many of which also include dry or sensitive skin as a symptom.
Tips for Managing Dry Skin with POTS
Managing dry skin when you already have so much on your plate can feel like a chore—but with a few intentional steps, it’s doable.
- Hydrate from the Inside Out: Keep up with your recommended fluid intake. Add electrolyte-rich drinks or powders, especially those without excess sugar or artificial additives.
- Use a Humidifier: Indoor air—especially in the winter or with air conditioning—can be incredibly drying. A humidifier can help keep skin hydrated while you sleep.
- Choose the Right Skincare Products: Use fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturizers that are gentle on sensitive skin. Look for ingredients like:Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Shea butter
- Avoid Long, Hot Showers: Hot water strips the skin of natural oils. Try lukewarm showers and limit them to 10–15 minutes when possible.
- Talk to Your Doctor: If your skin issues are severe, consider talking to a dermatologist or your POTS specialist. They may want to investigate additional causes, like autoimmune or allergic reactions, and rule out other overlapping conditions like MCAS or EDS.
Dry skin may seem like a minor inconvenience compared to the more “visible” symptoms of POTS, but it can have a major impact on quality of life—especially when paired with pain, itching, or irritation. Understanding that it’s part of the bigger picture of autonomic dysfunction can help you take targeted steps toward relief.
You deserve to feel comfortable in your skin—even with POTS.
