Xerosis Information - Symptoms and Treatment

Xerosis is a dry skin or chapped skin and is a common problem in the elderly but can also affect younger individuals and children. Dry, scaly skin that shows accentuated skin lines. Conditions that dry the skin out include the low humidity of winter, frequent washing, contact with hot water, the use of soaps and detergents, and older age. Simple daily routines, such as bathing and towel drying, may actually remove moisture from the skin. Modifying your bathing routine will help preserve your skin's moisture. Xerotic eczema may develop when the skin is so dry that it cracks and becomes inflamed. Xerosis is often a problem in cooler climates, especially during winter months when home heating systems are used regularly.

Causes of Xerosis

The main cause of xerosis is the lack of moisture from the skin which can be due to various factors as follows:

• Washing with excessively hot water
• Inheritance
• Using harsh or nonmoisturizing soaps can worsen and cause xerosis
• Environmental factors such as excessive sun exposure and pollutants in the air can damage the skin.
• Long hot baths or showers, can remove our natural oil and lead to xerosis. One should never take more than one bath or shower a day.
• Cold winter weather worsens xerosis because the amount of moisture contained in cold air is much less than the amount of moisture in warm air.
• Taking of diuretics which are used to remove water from the body.
• Over-use of soap and water, a dry, warm indoor climate, excessive sunbathing and other environmental effects have a great influence on how dry the skin can become.

Symptoms of Xerosis

The main symptoms of Xerosis is that the skin becomes dry with fine scaling, usually most prominent on the legs. Patients of diabetes generally faces the xerosis of the foot which can grow further in the form of severe complications such as infections, ulcers and cracks in the skin (fissures).

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