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Home > Skin & Beauty > Skin Conditions > Dry Skin (Xerosis): Causes, Treatment and When to See a Doctor

Dry Skin (Xerosis): Causes, Treatment and When to See a Doctor

July 18, 2020 - Updated on August 3, 2021
6 min read
By Maryam Afshar, MD | Dermatologist

In this article:

  • Causes of Dry Skin
  • Symptoms of Dry Skin
  • Treatment for Dry Skin
  • Diagnosing Dry Skin
  • Can Dry Skin Be a Sign of Dehydration?
  • Complications
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Final Word

The skin is the largest organ of the body and acts as the first line of defense between the internal organs and the outside world.

dry skin (xerosis)

It derives moisture from its intrinsic water and oil content as well as atmospheric humidity. Dry skin, or xerosis, occurs when the epidermis, which is the topmost layer of the skin, does not retain this moisture.

Dry skin is common in people of all ages, but its severity and extent may vary.

Causes of Dry Skin

factors that contribute to dry skin

The three major mistakes that contribute to xerosis include:

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1. Lack of skin moisturization

People who do not regularly moisturize their skin with a suitable emollient are more likely to develop xerosis, for obvious reasons.

2. Excessive skin cleanliness

Excessive skin cleanliness can strip away the natural moisture from the skin, making it dry and irritated. A lot of people over scrub and overuse soaps and detergents to purify their skin. These practices damage the skin barrier and further add to the dryness.

3. Not drinking enough water

Not drinking enough water regularly dehydrates the skin and body.

Other factors that can make the condition worse include:

  • Natural decline in the production of collagen with increasing age (1)
  • Hormonal imbalance due to menopause or other reasons (2)
  • Metabolic diseases such as diabetes, malnutrition, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and Sjogren’s syndrome 
  • Cold and dry climate (3)
  • Skin conditions such as eczema, ichthyosis, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis
  • Occupations that require constant contact with water or frequent handwashing, such as nurses, hairstylists, and professional swimmers
  • Swimming in pools
  • Certain topical and oral drugs, such as diuretics and retinoids
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Genetic predisposition to dry skin

Symptoms of Dry Skin

Xerosis, or dry skin, can manifest differently in different people, but it usually exhibits the following symptoms in varying degrees:

  • Dry skin that is rough and scaly to touch
  • Dull and flaky skin
  • Fine lines that are more accentuated than before
  • Intense, localized dryness, which can extend to the deeper layers of the skin, causing skin rupture and bleeding
  • Chapped or cracked lips, which can sometimes bleed
  • Fishnet-like cracks on the hands, feet, and lips
  • Skin that feels unusually tight after exposure to water
  • Greyish skin in dark-complexioned people
  • Severe itching, which is particularly worst around the waist, lower legs, back, and abdomen

Treatment for Dry Skin

Skin dryness can result from a variety of factors and the choice of treatment can vary depending upon the underlying cause. However, some of the most commonly recommended measures to treat dry skin include:

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1. Moisturizers

If you have extremely dry skin, the doctor may recommend a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid. This high-viscosity substance imparts moisture to the skin and locks it down to maintain a healthy water balance in the skin cells.

2. Medicines

If your skin becomes severely dry or inflamed or the condition spreads to large areas of the body, your doctor may prescribe a topical corticosteroid or an immune modulator, such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, to bring down the inflammation and relieve the itch.

Diagnosing Dry Skin

diagnosing dry skin

Your dermatologist will recommend the proper treatment for dry skin based on its root cause.

To determine the reason behind the dryness, the doctor will carefully examine your skin and inquire about your habits, skin care routine, and medical history to get further insights into the condition. 

You may have to undergo specific tests if the doctor suspects that an underlying health problem is causing the dryness.

When there is a rash, a biopsy may be conducted, wherein a small portion of the affected skin tissue is analyzed to reach a conclusive diagnosis.

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Can Dry Skin Be a Sign of Dehydration?

An estimated 20% of your body’s total water content is stored in the skin and 60%–70% of this reserve accumulates in the topmost layer. A well-hydrated body is an important prerequisite for a well-hydrated skin, whereas dry skin is one of the foremost signs of dehydration.

Complications

If left untreated, xerosis can cause significant skin damage that may be difficult to undo. The complications of dry skin include:

  • Excessive itching and the consequent rubbing or scratching can make the affected skin increasingly rough and thick (lichenification).
  • Dry and thick skin is more likely to develop agonizing cracks, especially in the exposed areas of the body, such as the hands and feet.
  • Xerosis can lead to more severe skin problems such as eczema or dermatitis in the absence of proper care. These conditions are characterized by the appearance of red, round spots all over the body that are rough, scaly, and itchy.
  • At times, the scratch sites may get infected with bacteria. Such an infection is characterized by yellow crusts filled with pus. Seek the help of a medical professional in such a case.

Moreover, there is always the possibility that chronic xerosis may be triggered by a serious underlying systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hypothyroidism, and liver disease. In cases like these, timely treatment is needed.

When to See a Doctor

Dry skin often causes itching, which may, at times, become troublesome. If the itching becomes too severe and persists for longer than 2 weeks without any apparent reason to justify it, seek medical help immediately.

Consult a doctor if:

  • Preliminary treatment for 5 days or more fails to provide any noticeable relief.
  • The dryness-induced itching keeps you up at night.
  • Your skin starts to peel or you develop open fissures or ring-shaped rashes on the affected skin.
  • Your skin starts to itch without any visible rash or flakiness.
  • The affected skin becomes red, swollen, and warm to the touch and starts oozing discharge, all of which are indicative of an infection.
  • You run a fever.
  • You are an older adult who is experiencing severe unabated itching for more than 2 weeks at a stretch without any discernible cause.
What you may ask your doctor
  • How long would it take for the condition to improve?
  • What tests do I need to undergo?
  • What changes can I make in my daily routine?
  • What foods or drinks do I have to avoid?
What your doctor may ask you
  • How long have the symptoms been there?
  • When did you first notice your skin becoming unusually dry?
  • Is there anything that makes the dryness worse?
  • Do you experience itching along with the dryness?

Final Word

The condition of your skin reflects your internal health, and therefore problems such as xerosis should be taken seriously and not merely as a cosmetic concern. If your skin appears dry and flaky, it means your body is not getting its required water supply.

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Moreover, a lack of moisture in the skin compromises its structural integrity, making it more prone to damage. Both external hydration and internal hydration are very important to keep your skin soft and supple.

Follow a stringent skin care routine that involves regular cleaning, toning, and moisturizing, but do not overdo it. Excessive moisturizing or cleaning can worsen your skin condition. If you fail to register any relief despite proper skin care and fluid intake, consult your doctor for a thorough evaluation and required treatment.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingDry Skin Home Remedies and Self-Care Tips
References
  1. Paul C, Maumus-Robert S, Mazereeuw-Hautier J, Guyen CN, Saudez X, Schmitt AM. Prevalence and risk factors for xerosis in the elderly: a cross-sectional epidemiological study in primary care. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22104182. Published 2011.
  2. Mekić S, Jacobs LC, Gunn DA, et al. Prevalence and determinants for xerosis cutis in the middle-aged and elderly population: A cross-sectional study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30586613. Published October 2019.
  3. Did you know? American Skin Association. http://www.americanskin.org/resource/dryskin.php.
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