Dry skin

Dry skin, medi­cal­ly ter­med xero­sis, deve­lo­ps when the skin lacks lipids and mois­tu­re and its pro­tec­ti­ve bar­ri­er is wea­k­en­ed. It is not mere­ly a cos­me­tic issue but a start­ing point from which ecze­ma can easi­ly develop.

Cha­rac­te­ristics

The skin feels rough and britt­le, looks dull and fine­ly sca­ly and feels tight, espe­ci­al­ly after washing. The lower legs, fore­arms, hands and face are par­ti­cu­lar­ly affec­ted. In pro­no­un­ced cases fine cracks and itching develop.

Cau­ses

Bes­i­des a her­edi­ta­ry pre­dis­po­si­ti­on, exter­nal fac­tors play the lar­gest role: dry hea­ted air, cold, fre­quent hot show­ers, alka­li­ne soaps and dis­in­fec­tants. Lipid pro­duc­tion decrea­ses with age. Con­di­ti­ons such as ato­pic der­ma­ti­tis, an underac­ti­ve thy­ro­id and dia­be­tes as well as cer­tain medi­ca­ti­ons can also be behind it.

Care

Short, luke­warm show­ers, mild soap-free cle­an­sing and app­ly­ing cream imme­dia­te­ly after towel­ling dry are recom­men­ded. Acti­ve ingre­di­ents such as urea, gly­ce­ri­ne and cera­mi­des bind mois­tu­re and streng­then the bar­ri­er, and care may be richer in win­ter. If the skin remains dry and itches sever­ely despi­te con­sis­tent care, a der­ma­to­lo­gi­cal assess­ment is advisable.