Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms and AppearanceCausesRisk Factors and TriggersDiagnosisTreatmentsPrevention and Home Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms and Appearance
Causes
Risk Factors and Triggers
Diagnosis
Treatments
Prevention and Home Care
Xerosis cutisis the medical term used to describe excessively dry skin. It can look like dry, rough patches and make flake, itch, or possibly crack. The best treatment for xerosis, which can typically be managed, is over-the-counter moisturizing creams and good home care. More severe or long-term cases may need to be treated with prescription medications.
Xerosis refers to dry skin or membranes, so you may also hear it used in relation to conditions affecting other parts of the body, such as the eyes or mouth. This article specifically focuses on xerosis cutis—xeroderma, or xerosis of the skin.
Suparerg Suksai / EyeEm / Getty Images
Most people will experience xerosis cutis at some point. It’s an incredibly common, and generally not a serious, skin problem. Symptoms of xerosis cutis include:
You may also see ultra-fine lines across the surface—or a “layer” of dry skin on the surface atop your normal skin.
If xerosis cutis worsens, you may experience:
Xeroderma can happen over the entire body, but it is most common on the arms, legs, hands, and feet. The face is also a typical place to develop extra-dry skin. It’s less common on the trunk.
You may not have xerosis cutis all the time—it may come and go, especially as the seasons change. Xeroderma is more common during the extremes of winter and summer.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderDry skin isn’t just a cosmetic condition, so don’t feel shy about seeing your healthcare provider about it if needed. These are some clues that you may need to make an appointment:Your skin is oozing and deeply cracked, or you have a rash or blisters.Itching is so severe it’s interfering with your daily life or preventing you from sleeping.You have large areas of broken skin or sores, either from cracked, dry skin or from scratching.You have widespread peeling.Your skin is painful, red, or swollen.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Dry skin isn’t just a cosmetic condition, so don’t feel shy about seeing your healthcare provider about it if needed. These are some clues that you may need to make an appointment:Your skin is oozing and deeply cracked, or you have a rash or blisters.Itching is so severe it’s interfering with your daily life or preventing you from sleeping.You have large areas of broken skin or sores, either from cracked, dry skin or from scratching.You have widespread peeling.Your skin is painful, red, or swollen.
Dry skin isn’t just a cosmetic condition, so don’t feel shy about seeing your healthcare provider about it if needed. These are some clues that you may need to make an appointment:
When your skin’s natural moisturization process goes awry, it disrupts its barrier function. Your skin isn’t able to produce or hold on to hydration effectively, and it becomes abnormally dry. Xerosis cutis happens when the skin loses more moisture than it retains.
The skin containssebaceousglands, small glands that create your skin’s natural oil. This oil, calledsebum, helps to keep your skin lubricated and moisturized.
Hypovitaminosis, a deficiency of one or more essential vitamins can also cause dry skin. Specifically, low levels of vitamin D, vitamin A, or vitamin B3 (niacin) can result in dry skin. A lack of zinc or iron can be an underlying cause too.
Is Xerosis the Same as Eczema?
Dry skin can happen to anyone, at any time. But, there are certain factors that make you more likely to develop xerosis cutis.
Minor cases of xerosis cutis can often be self-diagnosed. If you see a healthcare provider, they may conduct a physical exam and ask about your medical history. They will also likely ask about your current skincare routine, including the products you’re using on your skin.
In some cases, your healthcare provider might test for underlying conditions that may be contributing to your dry skin, such as hypothyroidism. There are also skin problems that lead to xerosis cutis, includingpsoriasis,ichthyosis, and eczema.
In many cases, you can treat xerosis cutis at home with over-the-counter products and good home care. If your dry skin is severe or chronic and you’re just not getting good results treating it on your own, a prescription medication may be needed.
First and foremost, you must help your skin replenish and retain moisture. Moisturizing creams, lotions, and, in some cases, ointments, are the number one way to do this.
Your best treatment option for abnormally dry skin is to apply moisturizing cream several times per day, whenever needed. At the very least, apply in the morning, just before bed, and immediately after bathing or showering.
If you’re prone to dry skin, though, you’ve probably already used moisturizers to help treat your dry skin, and maybe to no avail. Make sure to look for the followinghumectantandemollient ingredientsin your over-the-counter moisturizer—they are more effective at protecting your skin:
Understanding Moisturizer Ingredients
Petroleum jelly (like Vaseline or Aquaphor) also creates a very good barrier across the surface of the skin. These can be incredibly helpful if moisturizing creams just aren’t cutting it. They’re greasy, though, so you may opt to use them at night only and continue using creams during the day.
For xerosis cutis itch relief, an over-the-counter 1%hydrocortisone creamcan be used. If you’re relying on over-the-counter hydrocortisone for long-term itch relief, bring this up with your healthcare provider as there may be better ways to get your dry skin under control.
For most people, xerosis cutis can be effectively managed with over-the-counter moisturizers and good home care. In severe or chronic cases, some of the medications your healthcare provider may consider include topicalcorticosteroids(such as fluocinonide) or an immune modulator (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus), depending on your situation.
Besides moisturizing regularly, lifestyle steps can help manage xerosis cutis and, in some cases, prevent it from happening in the future.
Is Soap Bad for Your Skin?
Summary
Xerosis cutis is the medical term for dry skin, a common condition. In many cases, it can be treated at home with over-the-counter moisturizers that contain lactic acid, urea, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. Petroleum jelly (such as Aquaphor or Vaseline) can help as well—you can use it at night to avoid the greasy feeling of the jelly throughout the day.
Regular moisturizing is essential, regardless of what moisturizer you choose: try applying the treatment in the morning, just before bed, and immediately after bathing or showering. Other treatment tips include using mild and fragrance-free cleansers, avoiding hot showers, and reducing the frequency of bathing or showering. These can help prevent xerosis cutis as well.
If you’re having trouble managing dry skin, even after consistently using moisturizers and home remedies, it’s time to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. They can prescribe topical corticosteroids or an immune modulator to help treat xerosis cutis.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Augustin M, Wilsmann‐Theis D, Körber A, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis – a position paper.JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 2019;17(S7):3-33. doi:10.1111/ddg.13906Elias PM, Wakefield JS, Man MQ.Moisturizers versus current and next-generation barrier repair therapy for the management of atopic dermatitis.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2019;32(1):1-7. doi:10.1159/000493641Shim JH, Park JH, Lee JH, Lee DY, Yang JM.Moisturizers are effective in the treatment of xerosis irrespectively from their particular formulation: results from a prospective, randomized, double‐blind controlled trial.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.2016;30(2):276-81. doi:10.1111/jdv.13472Additional ReadingCelleno L.Topical urea in skincare: A review.Dermatol Ther.2018;31(6):e12690. doi:10.1111/dth.12690Fowler J.Understanding the Role of Natural Moisturizing Factor in Skin Hydration.Practical Dermatology.2012;36-40.Reszke R, Pełka D, Walasek A, Machaj Z, Reich A.Skin disorders in elderly subjects.Int J Dermatol.2015;54(9):e332-8. doi:10.1111/ijd.12832White-Chu EF, Reddy M.Dry skin in the elderly: complexities of a common problem.Clin Dermatol.2011;29(1):37-42. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.07.005
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Augustin M, Wilsmann‐Theis D, Körber A, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis – a position paper.JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 2019;17(S7):3-33. doi:10.1111/ddg.13906Elias PM, Wakefield JS, Man MQ.Moisturizers versus current and next-generation barrier repair therapy for the management of atopic dermatitis.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2019;32(1):1-7. doi:10.1159/000493641Shim JH, Park JH, Lee JH, Lee DY, Yang JM.Moisturizers are effective in the treatment of xerosis irrespectively from their particular formulation: results from a prospective, randomized, double‐blind controlled trial.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.2016;30(2):276-81. doi:10.1111/jdv.13472Additional ReadingCelleno L.Topical urea in skincare: A review.Dermatol Ther.2018;31(6):e12690. doi:10.1111/dth.12690Fowler J.Understanding the Role of Natural Moisturizing Factor in Skin Hydration.Practical Dermatology.2012;36-40.Reszke R, Pełka D, Walasek A, Machaj Z, Reich A.Skin disorders in elderly subjects.Int J Dermatol.2015;54(9):e332-8. doi:10.1111/ijd.12832White-Chu EF, Reddy M.Dry skin in the elderly: complexities of a common problem.Clin Dermatol.2011;29(1):37-42. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.07.005
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Augustin M, Wilsmann‐Theis D, Körber A, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis – a position paper.JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 2019;17(S7):3-33. doi:10.1111/ddg.13906Elias PM, Wakefield JS, Man MQ.Moisturizers versus current and next-generation barrier repair therapy for the management of atopic dermatitis.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2019;32(1):1-7. doi:10.1159/000493641Shim JH, Park JH, Lee JH, Lee DY, Yang JM.Moisturizers are effective in the treatment of xerosis irrespectively from their particular formulation: results from a prospective, randomized, double‐blind controlled trial.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.2016;30(2):276-81. doi:10.1111/jdv.13472
Augustin M, Wilsmann‐Theis D, Körber A, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis – a position paper.JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 2019;17(S7):3-33. doi:10.1111/ddg.13906
Elias PM, Wakefield JS, Man MQ.Moisturizers versus current and next-generation barrier repair therapy for the management of atopic dermatitis.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2019;32(1):1-7. doi:10.1159/000493641
Shim JH, Park JH, Lee JH, Lee DY, Yang JM.Moisturizers are effective in the treatment of xerosis irrespectively from their particular formulation: results from a prospective, randomized, double‐blind controlled trial.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.2016;30(2):276-81. doi:10.1111/jdv.13472
Celleno L.Topical urea in skincare: A review.Dermatol Ther.2018;31(6):e12690. doi:10.1111/dth.12690Fowler J.Understanding the Role of Natural Moisturizing Factor in Skin Hydration.Practical Dermatology.2012;36-40.Reszke R, Pełka D, Walasek A, Machaj Z, Reich A.Skin disorders in elderly subjects.Int J Dermatol.2015;54(9):e332-8. doi:10.1111/ijd.12832White-Chu EF, Reddy M.Dry skin in the elderly: complexities of a common problem.Clin Dermatol.2011;29(1):37-42. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.07.005
Celleno L.Topical urea in skincare: A review.Dermatol Ther.2018;31(6):e12690. doi:10.1111/dth.12690
Fowler J.Understanding the Role of Natural Moisturizing Factor in Skin Hydration.Practical Dermatology.2012;36-40.
Reszke R, Pełka D, Walasek A, Machaj Z, Reich A.Skin disorders in elderly subjects.Int J Dermatol.2015;54(9):e332-8. doi:10.1111/ijd.12832
White-Chu EF, Reddy M.Dry skin in the elderly: complexities of a common problem.Clin Dermatol.2011;29(1):37-42. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.07.005
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