Xerosis

The skin which fails to retain essential water content to remain moist is more likely to be affected from xerosis. In fact, this is not a complicated problem or a disease but mere dryness of the skin that can happen to anybody who is overexposed to the extreme weather conditions or any other factor that tends to suck the moistness of the skin.

The disorder is equally found in both males and females of any age-group. Similarly, any part of your can get affected by xerosis, however, the exposed parts are more prone to it. During winter, except those having oily skin, others usually experience more dryness in their skin because the humidity level lowers to a significant degree and therefore xerosis occur more in this season.

Xerosis Symptoms

Although xerosis is not a lasting problem but in certain cases it may become a matter of concern. The important feature of xerosis is that its symptoms are directly related to a person’s lifestyle, fitness, age, climate of the location where he/she lives, etc. The common signs of the skin could be parched skin accompanied by itching sensation and sometimes inflammation. Formation of wrinkles and roughness of the skin are other indicators of xerosis.

Causes of Xerosis

Xerosis occurs when skin contains less than required amount of essential oil in the outermost layer of the epidermis due to which the water contents fail to stick to the skin. A person is also likely to get affected by the problem due to environmental factors like long exposure to the extreme cold or hot weather or pollution.

Spending longer time in air conditioner or centrally heating system can make the skin prone to xerosis. Similarly, taking bath twice or thrice a day with hot water or swimming a couple of hours daily also make skin drier. Another cause could be use of unsuitable soaps that eventually take out adequate amount of essential oils from the skin.

Sometimes, few diseases like psoriasis that usually appears on the skin in the form of dry red spots covered by exfoliations can also lead to xerosis. The skin can also become parched when there is some disorder in thyroid glands resulting in less production of thyroid hormones that finally decelerate the normal mobility of the sebaceous glands.

Another reason could be consumption of certain beverages like alcohol or specific drugs that dry up the skin. Similarly, the complication occurs in those whose bodies are dehydrated either due to intense physical exercise, dysentery or high fever or because of less consumption of liquids.

Diagnosis of Xerosis

The doctor will first examine your skin thoroughly and inquire you whether you had any skin infection or skin disorder in the past. He would also like to know about your daily routine as well as the methods you adopt to take care of your skin. He may conduct some tests including thyroid test to ensure that the complication is not the result of any glandular disease.

Xerosis Treatment

Normally, by applying few over-the-stock medications can rid you from xerosis but sometimes it persists and even your skin gets infected because of itchiness. At that time, you require a doctor who can tell you the exact condition of your skin and whether there is any secondary bacterial infection or not.

Sometimes, if the xerosis persists, your skin may develop blisters because of itching sensation along with inflammation an indicator of dermatitis. In this case, the doctor will ask you to apply some medicated creams or ointments till the complication cures.

How to keep xerosis at bay

Do not take bath in hot water and prefer cool or tepid water.

Always dry your skin after taking bath and quickly apply moisturizer so that the water content of the body could be contained.

Select good quality soap that suits your skin instead of running for branded ones.

Increase the humidity level in winter.

Prefer cotton fabric instead of synthetic and your clothes should be slightly loose.