Is your skin feeling rough, itchy, and uncomfortable? You might be dealing with xerosis cutis. Learn the causes, risks, and simple yet effective strategies to soothe your skin and restore its natural glow.
Normal, dry to atopic skin
Xerosis cutis: definition, causes & treatments
Reading time : 7 min
How to understand and treat xerosis cutis?
Xerosis cutis is the medical term to design severe dry skin. Learn how to deal with xerosis cutis and relieve your symptoms with effective strategies.
What is xerosis cutis?
Xerosis cutis is the medical term for abnormally dry skin. This condition is due to a deficiency of hydrolipids which means a lack of water in the upper layers of the epidermis. The hydrolipidic film, made up of fats and water, is no longer able to play its barrier role causing water loss acceleration. The skin can manifest as roughness and tightness.
The main symptoms of xerosis cutis are tightness and itchiness of the skin with abnormally dry and scaly areas especially on the arms and legs. Your skin feels uncomfortable with fine cracks and redness.
When your skin feels tight and tingly after a shower or during the day, this is often the first warning sign of dry skin.
Redness is another classic symptom of xerosis cutis, often associated with taut skin. It can be caused by a build-up of dead cells on the skin’s surface, leading to skin irritation.
Once xerosis has set in, the skin peels off, producing tiny, flaky scales like dandruff. The driest areas become rough with white streaks.
Over time, tingling can turn into itchy sensations triggered by dryness. Scratching aggravates the irritation, and a vicious circle begins.
Xerosis cutis can impact all parts of the body such as hands, feet, elbows, knees, shins, face, scalp. It tends to occur more frequently in the lower legs, forearms, hands and feet.
What causes xerosis cutis?
By figuring out what is causing your abnormally dry skin, you can heal your symptoms. Xerosis cutis is associated with impairment in the natural barrier function and lack of moisturizing factors.
Dry skin is caused by a decrease in the oils on the skin's surface. To maintain skin health, the moisture level should be high whereas in xerosis cutis condition, this level remains too low to have a healthy skin. Because of lipid deficiency, the skin cannot play its role as a barrier against external factors. Less watertight as well, the skin is no longer holding water inside.
Natural Moisturizing Factors like lactic acid, sugars or amino acids are essential for the skin to retain water. When the Natural Moisturizing Factors are not enough or there is an alteration in their composition, there is a water loss which results in dry skin. A reduction in the water content causes damage to the skin barrier.
The distribution of the moisturizing factors via water channels, also called aquaporins, may be involved in xerosis cutis. Because the transport of water is deficient, the skin cannot store enough water which leads to impaired barrier function.
What are the risk factors of xerosis cutis?
Xerosis cutis is common especially in older adults and during cold winter months, but it can also occur because of different risk factors:
Xerosis cutis is usually triggered by environmental factors like exposure to cold weather, low humidity, dry indoor heating and intense sunlight.
Bad skincare routine is one of the many factors responsible for xerosis cutis. Over-cleansing or over scrubbing the skin can lead to inflammation and dry skin. Also, not applying a moisturizing cream after a shower accentuates irritation problems.
Skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, to mention but a few, cause dry skin which, when left untreated, can lead to xerosis cutis.
People concerned with internal or systemic diseases, like diabetes, are more at risk of developing xerosis cutis.
Dietary factors like dehydration and malnutrition are often associated with dry skin conditions.
In the same way, medication-related effects can count as another factor for xerosis cutis.
Xerosis cutis can be developed by many people at some point in their lives, but older people are more likely to be concerned by this condition.
Indeed, for people over 65 years old, xerosis cutis is a common problem. Sweat glands and sebaceous glands are less active after a certain age mostly due to changes in hormones and cause dry skin. We talk about senile xerosis.
On the contrary, babies can experience xerosis cutis symptoms because their skin is not producing enough sebum.
People’s individual habits like frequent handwashing, hot showers or the use of irritant soaps are additional causes of xerosis cutis.
How to diagnose xerosis cutis?
Diagnosis of xerosis cutis relies on a physical examination and a patient's medical checkup history. It needs to be performed by a healthcare provider.
A skin biopsy can be realized in some cases when there is a need to distinguish xerosis cutis from another skin diseases.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, your healthcare provider will be able to categorize the degree of your xerosis cutis from mild to severe.
If you have persistent skin irritation and none of the natural remedies you are trying can help you relieve your symptoms, we recommend visiting a dermatologist.
For the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
- Skin is oozing
- Skin is peeling on large areas and there are bleeding cracks
- Ring-shaped rash
Pruritus
How to treat xerosis cutis?
Depending on the xerosis cutis’ degree, there are different treatments and daily measures that can be followed to help manage your symptoms.
Eliminate ingredients that dry out skin. Use a gentle cleanser for your daily skin routine and avoid all alcohol-based cleansers. Any irritating products will have a negative impact on your dry skin.
Look for fragrance-free and non-soap cleansers and favor natural solutions like sunflower seed oil or coconut oil.
Hydration goes through moisturizing your skin but also drinking water to hydrate your whole body.
Moisturize your skin daily after every shower on damp skin to help reduce evaporation.
Atoderm is BIODERMA’s solution for dry to very dry sensitive skin. This range of products are essential for nourishing and moisturizing your body, face or lips.
ATODERM Intensive Balm soothes and reduces feelings of discomfort and can be used on the face and body.
When you are outside during winter weather, wear a scarf and gloves to prevent chapped lips or xerosis on your face and hands.
Sun exposure can also contribute to xerosis symptoms which is why you need to protect yourself with sunscreen SPF 30 minimum.
Eat a healthy diet to help your skin’s natural moisture barrier to build up. Thanks to a well-balanced diet with Omega 3-fatty acids like fish and flax seed, keep your body hydrated and protected from dryness. Fruits and vegetables are also very useful for hydration as they are waterlogged.
How to reduce or prevent xerosis cutis
Xerosis cannot always be prevented but you can help avoid or reduce the symptoms by following the next tips:
Xerosis is caused by a lack of moisture in the skin. Many triggers can cause xerosis cutis to develop:
Avoid hot water when showering, cold or lukewarm showers are much gentler for the skin. Also, opt for shorter showers
Rinse off quickly after sport as sweat can irritate the skin
Adapt your clothing to outdoor conditions: protect yourself as much as possible in extreme cold and avoid exposure to UV rays
Choose natural, soft materials for your clothing such as cotton and silk and avoid wool
Avoid air-conditioned or overheated environments where the air is very dry
Eliminate harsh soaps or detergents which dry out your skin
Use gentle cleansers and oil-based moisturizing lotions directly following a shower.
BIODERMA offers a full range of products especially tailored for dry skin to very dry sensitive skin to be used daily.
ATODERM Shower Oil: silky shower oil that gently cleanses the skin and provides instant hydration. Thanks to its exclusive formula, this shower oil alleviates the feeling of tightness and strengthens the resistance of the skin.
ATODERM Ultra Cream: ultra-nourishing and moisturizing daily care to strengthen the skin barrier and provide softness and suppleness.
Drink about 2 to 3 liters of water throughout the day and do not hesitate to add foods with high water content such as watermelon, celery and cucumbers.
Xerosis cutis is typically a benign condition that may persist for years. When triggers are avoided, and daily skincare is applied, it is more likely to disappear. Xerosis is a prevalent condition that can be identified by various members of healthcare professionals. They play an important role in diagnosis and treatment which help relieve the symptoms and your quality of life.
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