Dry skin is a very common skin problem and is often worse during the winter when environmental humidity is low (winter itch).  It can occur at any ages and in people with or without other skin problems.

Everyone is familiar to some degree with the appearance of dry skin.  The normally fine lines in the skin become more visible, the skin feels rough and appears dull and flaky.  In more advanced cases, fish net-like cracks resembling the fine fracture lines of cracked porcelain can occur.  Dry skin occurs most commonly on the arms and legs, but can also affect the trunk of the body.  Dermatologists often call dry skin “xerosis” or “asteatosis”.

Dry skin very commonly produces itching, which can be severe and interfere with sleep and other daily activities.  Repeated rubbing and scratching can produce areas of thickened, rough skin (lichenification).  Dry, thickened skin can crack, especially in areas subject to chronic trauma (hands and feet) causing painful cracks in the skin (fissures).  Dry skin and scratching may result in a dermatitis when the skin becomes red, inflamed, in addition to dry and scaly.   Round, scaly, itchy, red patches scattered over the legs, arms and trunk may also appear. The appearance of yellow crusts or pus in these areas indicates that a bacterial infection is developing.  This would require specific antibiotic therapy from your dermatologist or family physician.