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Xerosis - Info on Xerosis Symptom, Causes & Treatment

What is Xerosis ?

Dry skin also called xerosis, is a common problem. Your skin need moisture to stay smooth and supple, and retaning moisture is especially difficult in winter. Central heating of home and other buildings is very drying to the skin.

Causes of Xerosis

Xerosis can be caused by many factors, including:

• washing with excessively hot water.
• Long hot baths or showers, can remove our natural oil and lead to xerosis. One should never take more than one bath or shower a day.
• Use of harsh soaps can worsen and cause xerosis.
• Cold winter weather worsens xerosis because the amount of moisture contained in cold air is much less than the amount of moisture in warm air.
• Using nonmoisturizing soap.
• Showering or bathing more than once a day.
• Bathing for long periods of time.

Symptoms of Xerosis

The Symptoms of Xerosis is :

• Itching
• Diabetes
• Flaking and fine lines
• Cracks in the skin
• Ulcers infections

Treatment of Xerosis

• Treatment is intended to restore the natural oil to your skin.
• Many people have seen marked improvement with natural formulas such as Epitrex.
• Keep the skin lubricated.
• Do not use soap; you will get clean by soaking in the oil-water combination.
• Do not take more than one bath or shower a day.
• Use lukewarm water, not hot. Hot water dries out the skin.
• Alpha hydroxyacid lotions.
• Soap irritates and dries the skin, soap should not be used on your xerotic skin.
• Use Cetaphil Lotion or a mild soap to cleanse your skin.