Dry Skin or Eczema? How Distinguish Symptoms When Go Doctor
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Skin dryness pulling sensation itch symptoms many face daily especially in changing weather. However these symptoms can indicate not only simple skin dehydration but also more serious chronic disease – eczema. What cases home skin care insufficient advisable urgently go to dermatologist – continues to tell Health and Beauty Center Adoria dermatologist Guna Grūbe.
In this Article You'll Learn:
- Symptom differences: what signs help distinguish dry skin from eczema;
- Diagnostic methods: how specialist determines precise diagnosis what methods used;
- Treatment approaches: treatment methods for improving skin condition prevention in both cases.
What Dry Skin Xerosis?
Dry skin or xerosis in medical terminology condition not disease. Characterized by insufficient moisture amount in skin's upper layer – epidermis. This condition arises if disrupted skin's natural protective barrier consisting of lipids (fats) responsible for moisture retention in skin.
Most Common Dry Skin Causes
Dry skin can be caused by various external internal factors directly affecting skin's ability maintain optimal moisture level. Main reason most often skin's natural protective barrier – lipid layer – damage allowing water excessively evaporate from epidermis. This barrier can be affected both by environment body's internal processes most common:
- environmental impact: cold windy weather low air humidity central heating air conditioners;
- incorrect care: too frequent washing in hot water aggressive alkaline soaps washing products use;
- aging: with years skin naturally produces less fats becomes thinner drier;
- separate diseases: diabetes thyroid diseases kidney function disorders can promote skin dryness.
All these causes promote symptoms usually manifesting as mild to moderately strong itch skin peeling pulling sensation especially after water contact. These signs characteristic exactly of xerosis skin dryness however if appears pronounced inflammation bright redness persistent strong itch no longer indicates only moisture loss but active eczema.
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What Eczema Atopic Dermatitis?
Eczema most common its form – atopic dermatitis – chronic inflammatory skin disease. Its basis genetic predisposition immune system characteristics reacting to various irritants triggers. Unlike simply dry skin eczema disease whose course wave-like – with periodic flare-ups remission phases.
In eczema case skin's protective barrier structurally damaged not only causing enhanced moisture loss but also making skin unprotected against allergens microbes. In turn causes inflammatory reaction manifesting with intense symptoms.
When Needed Dermatologist Consultation
Home measures often able reduce dry skin-caused discomfort but several signs clearly indicate need seek professional help. If skin condition doesn't improve within few weeks using moisturizing products appears any of below symptoms consultation with dermatologist mandatory. Main differences helping understand whether dry skin possibly eczema:
- itch intensity: dry skin characteristic mild moderate itch. In eczema case itch very intense often disturbing sleep daily activities;
- skin appearance: dry skin characteristic fine peeling grayish tint. Eczema characteristic red swollen inflamed patches on which can appear small blisters bursting forming weeping sores scabs;
- localization: dryness can be all over body but eczema more often localizes in specific places – hand foot joint inner surfaces face neck palms;
- reaction to moisturizing: usual dry skin condition usually improves after regular appropriate moisturizing cream use. In eczema case may not be enough inflammation reduction needed specific therapeutic products.
Whether skin condition can be helped also by cosmetologist what cases still urgently need seek help from dermatologist? Learn reading article: "Dermatologist vs Cosmetologist: How Know Which Specialist Turn To?".
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In-Depth Diagnostics: What Methods Used?
To determine precise diagnosis dermatologist first performs patient examination evaluates medical history. To distinguish eczema from other skin diseases e.g., psoriasis fungal infection can be performed dermatoscopy. Non-invasive method during which with special magnifying device – dermatoscope – possible quickly detailed view skin structures allowing much more precisely assess skin changes.
In severe unclear cases can be ordered additional tests. E.g., blood tests can help determine elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) level characteristic of allergic reactions or skin allergy tests identify specific irritants triggering eczema flare-ups.
- What symptoms can indicate possible skin allergy in adults what modern treatment methods medicine offers today? Learn reading article: "Skin Allergies in Adults: What Causes How Treated?".
Skin Problems in Children: Special Approach
Atopic dermatitis one of most common skin diseases exactly in infants children. Children's skin much thinner more sensitive thus reacts sharper to any irritants. If suspicion of eczema in child particularly important turn to specialist specializing exactly in children's skin diseases treatment. Exactly children's dermatologist best able assess skin condition recommend safest most effective care treatment plan adapted to child's skin characteristics.
Trust Your Skin Health Care to Adoria Specialists
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Regardless whether facing chronic skin dryness eczema flare-ups correct diagnosis first step towards healthy skin. Health and Beauty Center Adoria experienced specialists ensure precise diagnostics develop individual treatment plan effectively solve skin problems reduce discomfort improve quality of life. Book consultation!