Sunday 21 February 2016

Xerotic Eczema

Xerotic Eczema
by Shannon Smith, BSN, RN, 15 June 2012 14:25

Have you ever noticed during the winter months how dry, flaky and itchy skin can get? If you have noticed that the skin on your legs or underarms become abnormally dry, inflamed, the itching and cracked then you can have a form of eczema called xerotic eczema, which is also known as the "winter itch".
The decrease in moisture during the winter months cause an increase in because xerotic eczema flare-ups that dries the moisture on the skin, hence decreasing the nickname of "Winter Itch". Xerotic eczema can surprisingly also affect people who work in wet conditions, because the water will actually remove the oils from the skin and dry further. Effects xerotic eczema more often people over 60 years, but it is not so rare for people in their 20 years of experience as xerotic eczema.
The definition of 'Xerosis' is dry skin so, as you already know one of the main symptoms of xerotic eczema is dry skin. As well as dry skin, you will notice the cracking of the skin and itching. The cracked skin can also seep liquid pore. Another symptom is scaling off the coast of the skin and redness in and around the affected area.
As you already know one of the main causes of xerotic eczema is abnormally dry skin that can be caused by climate change such as that in the winter months or to expose the skin to water for long periods of time. People with poor circulation are also more prone to xerotic eczema. Using soaps hard or taking long baths and frequent showers can also cause xerotic eczema or worsen the symptoms of it.
Fortunately, xerotic eczema is not so difficult to treat. To treat xerotic eczema, you can start with the setting of the environment in which you live. Adding a humidifier in your room can go a long way in helping to reduce how dry your skin becomes. Another option you have is to take short showers or baths of reduction with the oils on your skin to be leached. You also you dry with a towel pat rather that you rub dry.
During the shower, use the SOAP and natural products and avoid any product with synthetic chemicals such as dyes and perfumes can irritate the skin. You can also use an intense mositurizer as exaderm to help keep moisture from the skin in.
If your xerotic eczema persists you can have a doctor check it out. Topical steroids are usually prescribed to help reduce itching and for the suppression of the immune system that can contribute to xerotic eczema. You also want to avoid itching in the area that can lead to worsen.
One of the major complications that can cause xerotic eczema is a bacterial infection. The reason for the increased risk of bacterial infection is that the skin barrier is compromised of the cracking of the skin. If unsupported it could lead to conditions such as impetigo.
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