Dry skin

Dry skin or xerosis is a common feature of skin disease, which reflects disruption to the skin barrier
and the undue loss of moisture from the skin tissue. A list of common disease- or treatmentrelated causes of dry skin is given below:

Atopic eczema
Ichthyoses (inherited)
Psoriasis
Leprosy


Disease processes lead to water loss because pathological or pharmacological effects will often disrupt the structure and processes that maintain the skin barrier integrity and retaining water within the dermis leading to
transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and dehydration of the skin. Skin dryness may greatly vary in severity. It may occur without disease through factors such as over-washing of the skin or exposure to harsh climatic conditions. Because of severe environmental conditions or the presence of dermatological disease such as eczema or ichthyosis, the skin barrier will be impaired which will lead to dehydration of the skin by evaporation, develops cracking and fissuring of the skin, which will in turn further impair the integrity and effectiveness of the skin barrier.