What is the medical term for dry skin?

Medical Term for Dry Skin

The medical term for dry skin is xerosis cutis. 1

Understanding Xerosis Cutis

Xerosis cutis (also called xeroderma or asteatosis) is characterized by:

• Rough, scaly, and often pruritic (itchy) skin 2
• Impaired stratum corneum function with dehydration and disrupted keratinocyte differentiation 2
• Skin water content below the required 10-15% needed to maintain suppleness and integrity 3

Clinical Presentation

Xerosis presents with several characteristic features:

• Dry, cracked, and fissured skin 4
• Scaling and flaking of the skin surface 1
• Possible associated pruritus (itching) 4
• May progress to more severe forms like eczema craquelé or asteatotic eczema if untreated 4

Causes and Contributing Factors

Xerosis can result from both external and internal factors:

• Exogenous factors:

  • Cold weather and low humidity environments 5
  • Frequent bathing or showering, especially with hot water 5
  • Use of harsh soaps and detergents that strip natural skin lipids 6

• Endogenous factors:

  • Aging (common in elderly populations) 6, 4
  • Underlying skin conditions like atopic dermatitis 5, 2
  • Systemic diseases (e.g., renal disease, diabetes) 6
  • Medication side effects 3

Pathophysiology

The condition involves several disruptions to normal skin barrier function:

• Disturbed epidermal differentiation affecting the stratum corneum 5
• Impairment of intercellular lipid bilayers 5
• Reduction in natural moisturizing factor (NMF) 5
• Predominance of hydrophobic substances in intercellular constituents affecting skin humidity regulation 3

Management Approaches

Treatment of xerosis should focus on:

• Avoiding trigger factors 1:

  • Limiting exposure to harsh soaps and detergents 6
  • Using soap substitutes like dispersible creams for cleansing 6
  • Avoiding extreme temperatures and irritating clothing (like wool) 6

• Topical treatments:

  • Regular application of emollients, especially after bathing when skin is still damp 6
  • Products containing urea for scaling and fissures 1
  • Formulations with lipids to restore damaged intercorneocyte structures 3
  • Water-in-oil formulations for very dry skin conditions 1

• Ingredient selection based on specific symptoms 1:

  • Urea for scaling and fissures
  • Dexpanthenol for fissures and cracks
  • Polidocanol for associated pruritus
  • Combination products with natural moisturizing components and ceramides

Special Considerations

• In elderly patients:

  • Moisturizers with high lipid content are preferred 6
  • Sedating antihistamines should be avoided for associated pruritus 6
  • Regular application of emollients is crucial for prevention 6

• In patients with underlying conditions:

  • Addressing the primary condition (e.g., atopic dermatitis, renal disease) is essential 1
  • Consider specific treatments for associated symptoms like pruritus 6

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Underestimating the impact of xerosis on quality of life and potential progression to more serious skin conditions 1
• Using alcohol-containing products that can further dry the skin 6
• Inconsistent application of moisturizers (regular use is essential for effectiveness) 5
• Focusing only on symptom relief without addressing underlying causes 1