| Xerosis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Xerodermia, xerosis cutis,[1] dry skin |
 | |
| The surface of the knuckles of a hand with xeroderma | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Low skin moisture, itching, scaling, skin cracking |
| Causes | Deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals, exposure to detergents, sunburn, choline inhibitors |
| Risk factors | Low relative humidity of surrounding air, frequent bathing or hand washing |
| Prevention | Skin lotions |
| Medication | Emollients |
Xeroderma, xerosis or xerosis cutis, or simply dry skin, is a skin condition characterized by excessively dry skin.[2] The term derives from Greek ξηρός (xeros) 'dry' and δέρμα (derma) 'skin'.
In most cases, dry skin can safely be treated with moisturizers (also called emollients). Xeroderma occurs most commonly on the scalp, lower legs, arms, hands, knuckles, the sides of the abdomen, and thighs. Symptoms most associated with xeroderma are such skin conditions as scaling (the visible peeling of the outer skin layer), itching, and skin fissures (cracked skin).[3]
- ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.[page needed]
- ^ "Dry Skin (Xeroderma) - Skin Disorders". Merck Manuals Consumer Version. May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ Proksch, Ehrhardt; Berardesca, Enzo (19 June 2019). "Dry skin management: practical approach in light of latest research on skin structure and function". Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 31 (7): 716–722. Retrieved 17 May 2022.