Xerosis Information and Treatment 

Xerosis is the name for dry skin. Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a common complication. Dry skin is a very common problem having symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Your skin needs moisture to stay smooth and ductile. Anyone can get dry skin.

Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture. This is most common throughout the winter months, when heating systems dry the air. We all have a natural oil covering over our skin produced by the skin oil glands. If this oil is removed, then the skin turns dry which may lead to cracking and inflammation.

Xerosis can fake any part of the body, as the only significant oil glands we have are on the "T-zone" of the central face, armpits, and groin. Arms and legs are most frequently affected.

Xerosis is a dry skin or chapped skin and is a common issue in the elderly but may also touch younger individuals and children. The most common evidence is itching, which can be mildly annoying to severely intense, often disturbing sleep.

The most harsh form of dry skin is called Nummular Eczema. Since water is the main "softener" of the skin, dry skin may become rough, scaly, and eventually red, inflamed, and itchy. In complicated cases these changes will have the appearance of a dermatitis.

Xerosis has a low level of sebum and can be liable to sensitivity. It normally feels "tight" and uncomfortable after washing unless some kind of moisturizer or skin cream is applied. The treatment for dry skin is to return moisture to the skin. You can do this by using moisturizing oils or lotions, mild soaps during bathing, and eluding rubbing the skin dry after a shower or bath.