Xerosis

Question 1

epidemiology

Answer 1

natural aging characteristic > 60 years, worse in the cold

Question 2

exogenous causes of xerosis

Answer 2

excessive bathing, lathering soaps, hot bathing water, decreased household humidity

Question 3

endogenous causes of xerosis

Answer 3

aging, renal insufficiency, med side effects, autoimmune conditions like DM, hypothyroidism, sjogrens

Question 4

> 60 years this occurs to the skin

Answer 4

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

Question 5

clinical features

Answer 5

initially on bilateral shins, spares face neck palms and soles, can occur over years, pale pink erythematous plaque with fine scale releasing powder

Question 6

asteototic eczema

Answer 6

superficial cracks and fissures resembles a dry river bed, pink or light red in color

Question 7

tx

Answer 7

liberal emollients ointment based, urea, amlactin, ceramides, cool baths, non lathering soaps, pat dry, mid potency steroids BID x 7 days to decrease inflammation