Xerosis is an abnormal dryness of the skin or mucus membranes.
Dry skin usually gets worse during the winter.
Older people are usually affected more by this condition.
The skin is dry, scaly, itchy, and red. Fine cracks may appear on the skin.
The arms and legs are usually affected most.
Treatments include:
Asteatotic eczema; Eczema craquele
Gilchrest BA. Skin disorders. In: Duthie EH, Katz PR, Malone ML, eds. Practice of Geriatrics. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 38.
Habif TP. Eczema and hand dermatitis. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 3.
Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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