Dry skin

Also called xerosis

Dry skin is common. It can occur at any age and for many reasons. Using a moisturizer often helps repair dry skin.

Sometimes people need a dermatologist's help to get relief from dry skin. Extremely dry skin can be a warning sign of a skin problem called dermatitis
(derm-muh-TIE-tis). Dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. It can cause an itchy rash or patches of dry irritated skin. The earlier dermatitis is diagnosed and treated the better. Without treatment, dermatitis often gets worse.

Your doctor may call dry skin xerosis (ze-ROW-sis).

Source: https://www.aad.org

Signs, symptoms

The signs (what you see) and symptoms (what you feel) of dry skin are:

• Rough, scaly, or flaking skin.
• Itching.
• Gray, ashy skin in people with dark skin.
• Cracks in the skin, which may bleed if severe.
• Chapped or cracked lips.

When dry skin cracks, germs can get in through the skin. Once inside, germs can cause an infection. Red, sore spots on the skin may be an early sign of an infection.

Source: https://www.aad.org

Who gets, causes

Who gets dry skin and why?

Anyone can get dry skin. Skin becomes dry when it loses too much water or oil. Some people are more likely to have dry skin. Some causes of dry skin are:

• Age: As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. By our 40s, many people need to use a good moisturizer every day.
• Climate: Living in a dry climate such as a desert.
• Skin disease: People who had atopic dermatitis (also called eczema) as a child tend to have dry skin as adults. Psoriasis also causes very dry skin.
• Job: Nurses, hair stylists, and people in other occupations often immerse their skin in water throughout the day. This can cause the skin to become dry, raw, and cracked.
• Swimming: Some pools have high levels of chlorine, which can dry the skin.

Source: https://www.aad.org