Xerosis Flashcards
epidemiology
natural aging characteristic > 60 years, worse in the cold
exogenous causes of xerosis
excessive bathing, lathering soaps, hot bathing water, decreased household humidity
endogenous causes of xerosis
aging, renal insufficiency, med side effects, autoimmune conditions like DM, hypothyroidism, sjogrens
> 60 years this occurs to the skin
decrease in lipids, decrease in water binding capacity of stratum corneum, decrease in ceramides, drying stratum corneum form small cracks and leads to more water loss
clinical features
initially on bilateral shins, spares face neck palms and soles, can occur over years, pale pink erythematous plaque with fine scale releasing powder
asteototic eczema
superficial cracks and fissures resembles a dry river bed, pink or light red in color
tx
liberal emollients ointment based, urea, amlactin, ceramides, cool baths, non lathering soaps, pat dry, mid potency steroids BID x 7 days to decrease inflammation