From the Guidelines
The medical term for dry skin is xerosis cutis. This condition occurs when the skin loses too much water and natural oils, resulting in rough, flaky, or scaly skin that may feel tight or itchy. According to the most recent guidelines, moisturizers are integral to nearly all management plans for atopic dermatitis, targeting xerosis by minimizing transepidermal water loss and improving stratum corneum hydration 1. Common treatments include regular application of moisturizers containing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or petrolatum. For mild cases, over-the-counter moisturizers applied immediately after bathing while skin is still damp can be effective. More severe cases may require prescription emollients or topical steroids.
Some key points to consider in managing xerosis include:
- Using lukewarm (not hot) water for bathing
- Limiting bath time to 5-10 minutes
- Using gentle fragrance-free cleansers
- Patting skin dry rather than rubbing
- Maintaining adequate hydration by drinking water
- Using humidifiers to add moisture to indoor air, especially during winter months
Xerosis occurs because the skin's outer layer (stratum corneum) needs adequate water content to maintain its barrier function, and when environmental factors, aging, or medical conditions disrupt this balance, the skin becomes dry. The use of moisturizers as part of a comprehensive regimen is supported by recent studies, including an analysis of 5 moisturizer studies showing a small reduction in atopic dermatitis severity with the use of moisturizers 1. Additionally, guidelines from the Taiwan Academy of Pediatric Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommend frequent application of fragrance-free emollient as integral to daily management of atopic dermatitis regardless of disease severity 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Indications and Usage For debridement and promotion of normal healing of hyperkeratotic surface lesions, particularly where healing is retarded by local infection, necrotic tissue, fibrinous or purulent debris or eschar. Urea is useful for the treatment of hyperkeratotic conditions such as dry, rough skin, dermatitis, psoriasis, xerosis, ichthyosis, eczema, keratosis pilaris, keratosis palmaris, keratoderma, corns and calluses, as well as damaged, ingrown and devitalized nails. The medical term for dry skin is xerosis 2.
From the Research
Definition of Xerosis
- Xerosis is also known as dry skin, xeroderma, or asteatosis 3, 4
- The medical term for dry skin is xerosis, which is characterized by rough, scaly, and often itchy skin 5, 6
Characteristics of Xerosis
- Xerosis is associated with both skin thickening and skin thinning 7
- It is triggered by both exogenous (e.g. climate, environment, lifestyle) and endogenous (e.g. medication, hormone fluctuations, organ diseases) factors 7
- The clinical characteristic of xerosis is rough or coarse skin, with abnormalities in keratinization, proliferation, surface lipid, water metabolism, and pH and sebum 5
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Xerosis cutis is generally diagnosed on clinical grounds, and possible trigger factors must be avoided, and comorbidities should be adequately and specifically treated 4
- Suitable skin care products should be chosen with a view to improving skin hydration and restoring its barrier function, and should contain both rehydrating and lipid-replenishing components 4