Xerotic eczema

Xerotic eczema (also known as "Eczema craquelé", "Pruritus hiemalis", "Asteatotic eczema", "Winter itch",[1]:81 "Desiccation dermatitis," and "Winter eczema"[2]) is a form of eczema that is characterized by changes that occur when skin becomes abnormally dry, itchy, and cracked. Lower legs tend to be especially affected, although it can appear in the underarm area as well.

Xerotic eczema is common in elderly people, though it is not uncommon for people in their 20s. It can appear in red, bumpy, pimple-like irritations. Shaving can cause it to become inflamed.

Treatment

One way to treat xerotic eczema is to avoid scratching the affected area and to apply anti-itch or moisturizing lotion frequently.

A study published in 2005 found positive results from soaking the affected area in water for twenty minutes and then applying mid- to high-strength corticosteroid ointment.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
  2. ↑ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0.
  3. ↑ Gutman AB, Kligman AM, Sciacca J, James WD. Soak and smear: a standard technique revisited. Archives of Dermatology. 2005 Dec;141(12):1556-9.


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