What is Xeroderma (Dry Skin)?

Xeroderma, which is another way of saying dry skin, is a common condition that happens because there are not enough hydrating oils in the skin. As a result, you might notice that your skin becomes rough, tight, and may peel or become scaly. This can make your skin itchy, causing scratches and raising the risk of skin infections. Many things can cause xeroderma, from changes in the environment, medical conditions, certain medicines, or even just getting older.

Though xeroderma can affect any part of the body, it usually appears on parts of the body that don’t produce as much oil, like the lower legs, forearms, hands, and feet. The best way to treat xeroderma is with moisturizers, which help repair and hydrate the outer layer of the skin.

What Causes Xeroderma (Dry Skin)?

Xeroderma, also known as dry skin, is a condition many people around the world experience, mainly because of a lack of oils in the skin. This can happen suddenly or gradually, triggered by various factors.

Factors outside your body:

* Cleaning your skin: Long, hot showers and strong, basic soaps can dry the skin.

* Environment: Cold weather, low levels of moisture, indoor heating, and strong sunlight can affect the skin.

* Work-related factors: Substances that irritate the skin, such as chemicals used in hairdressing and cleaning, can dry the skin.

Factors within your body:

Skin conditions:

* Skin inflammation: Disorders like eczema, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis.

* Long-term skin infections: Conditions like scabies, bacterial, or fungal infections.

* Genetic skin conditions: Conditions like Xeroderma Pigmentosum and types of ichthyosis.

* Skin cancer: Lymphoma, a blood cancer, can affect the skin.

Internal or widespread diseases:

* Metabolic conditions: Issues like diabetes, thyroid problems, biliary disease, and kidney failure can affect the skin.

* Inflammation: Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

* Infections: HIV and Hepatitis B or C.

* Hormonal changes: Pregnancy and menopause.

* Blood-related conditions: Disorders that affect blood cells, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Mental health conditions:

* Compulsive disorders: Washing the skin excessively can dry it out.

* Eating disorders: Anorexia can result in dry skin.

* Addictions: Alcohol or drug abuse can affect the skin.

Diet:

* Dehydration: This can result from sweating a lot and not drinking enough water.

* Poor nutrition: A diet lacking in vitamins A and D, zinc, or iron can contribute to dry skin.

Effects of medication:

* Side-effects of drugs: Certain medications including diuretics, beta-blockers, contraceptives, retinoids, prolonged use of topical steroids, lipid-lowering agents, and radiation therapy can cause dry skin.

Risk Factors and Frequency for Xeroderma (Dry Skin)

Xeroderma, or dry skin, can happen on its own, alongside other skin conditions like atopic or irritant contact dermatitis, or in people with a family history of dry skin. It’s a common condition that affects people of all ages, both men and women. The exact number of xeroderma cases is still unclear.

It’s more common in people over 60.
People with certain health conditions such as diabetes, kidney failure, and hypothyroidism often have xeroderma.
It can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Signs and Symptoms of Xeroderma (Dry Skin)

Xeroderma, or dry skin, can be diagnosed by a thorough look at your medical history and a physical examination. When your doctor is trying to know more about your condition, they might ask about various things like:

History of allergies, asthma or skin conditions (atopic history)
Exposure to factors outside the body like work environment, nutrition, skin care routine
Your age (as the condition is more common in older people)
If you’re pregnant or going through menopause as hormonal changes can affect your skin
Any other health issues you might have such as kidney disease, thyroid disorders, diabetes, or intestinal inflammation
Any medications you take that could dry out your skin like diuretics or certain cholesterol drugs
If you’ve had dry skin before and any treatments you’ve tried
Any symptoms you’re experiencing like itching, burning, tightness, or pain in the skin
How long you’ve had these symptoms and if they’re always there, come and go, or seem to be triggered by certain things

People with xeroderma often have symptoms like pain, a burning feeling, tightness, and itching. These symptoms can greatly affect the person’s well-being. The lower legs, forearms, hands, and feet are the areas usually impacted. When a doctor examines a person with this condition, they usually notice dry, rough, and peeling skin with a somewhat grayish color. Loss of skin elasticity, wrinkles, redness, and cracks in the skin might also be noted.

Testing for Xeroderma (Dry Skin)

The diagnosis of xeroderma, or extremely dry skin, is usually based on a thorough review of your symptoms and a physical examination of your skin. Sometimes, your doctor might order some lab tests to determine if certain underlying conditions causing the dry skin, such as problems with thyroid hormones or vitamin deficiencies.

Occasionally, a skin biopsy might be required to tell apart xeroderma from other conditions that have similar symptoms. But typically, doctors do not use techniques known as “teewametry” and “corneometry”, which measure water loss through the skin or hydration levels. These methods aren’t usually used in diagnosing dry skin and are more often used in clinical trials or research.

In some cases, a tool called a dermatoscope may be used. This device can see tiny changes in the skin that aren’t visible to the naked eye. To understand how severe the xeroderma is, doctors have established a rating system:

Mild: Only have flakes or scales in the lines of the skin.
Moderate: Skin flakes or scales extend beyond the lines on the skin and the skin markings are distinct.
Severe: Large scales extending beyond the skin lines and deep skin cracks or fissures develop.

This system helps doctors measure how severe the skin dryness is, especially when it may have been made worse by other factors, and monitor how well the skin is responding to treatment.

Treatment Options for Xeroderma (Dry Skin)

Xeroderma, more commonly known as dry skin, can be managed with a few simple lifestyle changes and specific skincare products. The goal of xeroderma treatment is to restore the skin’s natural oils, improve hydration, strengthen its protective layer, and promote healthy skin growth.

Here are some strategies to manage dry skin:

1. Try to bathe less frequently, and when you do, use lukewarm water. Avoid aggressive scrubbing or hot water that can strip the skin of its protective oils.

2. Use gentle, synthetic detergent cleansers. These are less irritating than traditional soaps, which can increase skin dryness and itching due to their higher pH levels. Instead, opt for specially formulated cleansers that closely match your skin’s natural pH.

3. Regularly apply oil-based creams. These have a thicker consistency and are more effective at moisturizing the skin than water-based lotions. For maximum effect, apply to damp skin after bathing to help reduce moisture loss.

4. Consider using a room humidifier, especially during winter, which can help keep your skin hydrated.

5. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body and skin hydrated.

When it comes to moisturizing dry skin, different methods have specific advantages. A common approach is to apply a moisturizer that creates a water-blocking barrier on the skin, supporting the skin’s repair process. One example of this type of moisturizer is petrolatum.

Another technique involves using products called humectants that work like sponges, drawing and retaining water within the skin. Some examples include glycerin, honey, and hyaluronic acid. Ideally, a moisturizer would incorporate both these barrier-forming and water-attracting elements for comprehensive skin hydration.

Different active ingredients are used in skincare products for different skin benefits. Petrolatum, for instance, is an effective moisturizer that prevents water loss, while silicone can smooth your skin’s surface. Ceramides enhance the skin’s natural barrier, and some products feature synthetically formulated blends of amino acids to mimic natural skin substances and improve hydration. Other active ingredients like urea, lactic acid, Licochalcone A, dexpanthenol, and polidocanol have specific benefits like revealing water-binding sites, reducing skin inflammation, and alleviating itching.

Remember, it’s important to tailor your skincare routine to your specific skin needs. For instance, urea or dexpanthenol could be beneficial for skin cracks, while Licochalcone A might help with redness, and polidocanol might alleviate itching. Some conditions of severe dry skin might require additional treatments like topical corticosteroids or other medications.

When a doctor is trying to find the cause of xerosis, a condition that causes dry, rough, itchy skin, they may consider the following conditions:

Ichthyosis Vulgaris
Atopic dermatitis (a type of skin inflammation)
Stasis dermatitis (skin inflammation due to poor blood flow)
Irritant contact dermatitis (skin irritation caused by contact with certain substances)
Allergic contact dermatitis (skin rash caused by an allergic reaction)
Nummular dermatitis (skin inflammation causing coin-shaped rashes)
Scabies (a skin infestation caused by mites)
Tinea corporis (a fungal infection of the skin, also known as ringworm)
Psoriasis (a skin condition causing red, itchy, scaly patches)
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (a type of cancer that affects the skin)

What to expect with Xeroderma (Dry Skin)

Xeroderma, or dry skin, is normally a harmless condition that can last for several years. The outlook tends to be positive when care is taken to avoid the factors that cause dryness and a skincare routine that focuses on gentle cleansing and adequate moisturizing is adhered to. However, there are situations where dry skin could be connected to a genetic disorder, such as xeroderma pigmentosum, which leads to more serious implications, like a higher chance of developing skin cancer.

Possible Complications When Diagnosed with Xeroderma (Dry Skin)

Xeroderma, or dry skin, can cause itching, making the skin more vulnerable to infections as tiny organisms can get in through the broken skin. If this dryness becomes very severe, it can turn into a condition called Asteatotic eczema, which makes the skin look like cracked porcelain. This condition often gets worse and can exist alongside xeroderma, especially during the winter. The damaged skin can even bleed from tiny broken blood vessels. When it looks specifically like cracked porcelain, or like a crazy paving pattern, it’s referred to as eczema craquelé.

There are other potential complications from dry skin too. For example, food allergies can develop, which are linked to changes in a skin protein called filaggrin and a condition known as atopy. Another potential issue is allergic contact dermatitis, a type of skin irritation that happens due to an impaired skin barrier function.

Common complications with dry skin can include:

Itching
Vulnerability to skin infections
Asteatotic eczema, or skin looking like ‘cracked porcelain’
Eczema craquelé, a distinctive ‘cracked’ appearance of skin
Bleeding from broken skin
Food allergies linked to changes in filaggrin protein and atopy
Allergic contact dermatitis due to impaired skin barrier function

Preventing Xeroderma (Dry Skin)

Xeroderma, also known as dry skin, can either occur temporarily or turn into a lifelong condition. It usually requires simple methods of care that include cleaning your skin gently and moisturizing it regularly to relieve any discomfort or dryness. If you realize certain factors that seem to worsen your dry skin, it’s crucial to avoid them for better management of your condition.

Such triggers might include using soaps and detergents that are too harsh, being exposed to very cold or hot weather, wearing coarse or tight clothes, feeling stressed, drinking too much alcohol, and eating spicy foods or citrus fruits. By noting and avoiding these triggers, you can significantly improve your skin’s condition and your overall comfort.