How to Spot Symptoms of Xerosis

Xerosis is a skin condition simply known as dry skin. It is caused by decrease in the natural moisture of the skin. Human skin contains sebaceous glands that are located near the follicles of the hair. These glands produce sebum; the natural oil of the skin that has the purpose of protecting the skin from dryness by keeping it lubricated or moisturized. When these protective oils are removed, the skin surfaces become dry, changing its natural healthy texture.There are various factors that may lead to xerosis and they include the following: showering a lot of times in one day, bathing for long periods with overly hot water, using strong non-moisturizing soaps, exposure to surroundings with low-humidity (home air-conditioning or heaters), cold weather or winter, medications (such as diuretics), dehydration, and malnutrition. Xerosis occurs in both males and females of different ages and is commonly prominent on the legs. Symptoms of xerosis are presented below.

Instructions

1. Feel your skin after bathing or during a cold weather. Dry skin typically feels tighter than normal, as if its surroundings have been wrapped tautly with tape.

2. 

   Look for signs of a dehydrated skin. A skin that lacks humidity appears shiny, and its surfaces are covered with scales that may flake off easily when rubbed. The skin resembles like that of a lake that’s dried out. And when you try to draw on it with your fingers, fine white lines may appear, indicating a skin with reduced moisture.

3. Touch your skin and feel its texture. Unlike a healthy well moisturized skin that’s smooth and subtle, the surface of dry skin usually feels dull and rough to touch.

4. 

   Observe if your skin feels itchy. Itchiness is another prominent symptom that may lead to redness of the area. The skin may also become hardened and thick due to constant scratching of its surfaces.

5. Take a close look to see if there are some cracks or oozing rashes around your skin. Severely dry skin may develop some painful cracks or skin patches that may bleed and become infected with continuous scratching. Sores filled with fluid may also develop when skin becomes infected from repetitive rubbing or scraping of the fingernails.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not take a shower more than once in one day. Excessive showering can only wash off the natural oil on your skin and make your skin lose water as well.

• Hot water dries out your skin. So when taking a shower, just make the water lukewarm, and try to limit your time in the shower to 15 minutes.

• Avoid using strong soaps that are not moisturized. Harsh soaps may lead to skin irritation.