There are many causes of dry skin. Among the most common causes are conditions like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, writes Eamonn Brady MPSI
Common causes/types
Dermatitis
The simple definition of dermatitis is inflammation of the skin. Different types of dermatitis include contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Symptoms include swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Eighty per cent of dermatitis cases are ‘contact dermatitis’, caused by an allergic response to a substance with which skin has been in contact. This can include latex, detergents or jewelry, such as nickel. Symptoms are often mild. Treatment involves avoiding contact with the offending substance. Skin hydration with an emollient is important (more details below). A topical steroid such as hydrocortisone 1% cream may be required.
Eczema
Eczema is a type of dermatitis called atopic dermatitis. It is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that involves a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors. It generally starts in childhood, with many growing out of it. Eczema affects over 30 per cent of children before they reach school age and 1-to-3 per cent of adults in the UK (Irish figures are similar). It is often hereditary and there is often a link with asthma and hay fever. Eczema has become common in recent years; the cause of this is uncertain. There are theories such as the ‘hygiene theory’, which is discussed in more detail later in this article. Skin hydration can control eczema and in more severe cases, steroid creams may be temporarily required.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis affects between one-and-100 to three-in-100 of the population. It is caused by inflammation of the skin. It typically develops as patches of red, scaly skin. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis (about 80 per cent of cases).
Symptoms are dry, red skin lesions, known as plaques, that are covered in silver scales. They normally appear on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on the body. The plaques are normally itchy, sore, or both. In severe cases, the skin around the joints may crack and bleed. Appropriate treatment will keep psoriasis under control, but there is not a definitive cure. Skin hydration is important; other treatment options for more severe psoriasis include topical steroids, topical vitamin D analogues (ie, Calcipotriol) and coal tar preparations.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is characterised by red, scaly patches that develop on the scalp, face, and upper trunk. It is more likely to affect men than women. It is often aggravated by changes in humidity, changes in seasons, trauma (ie, scratching), or emotional stress. The usual onset occurs with puberty. It peaks at age 40 years and is less severe in older people. Approximately 1-to-3 per cent of adults suffer from seborrhoeic dermatitis. Dandruff is a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis and is estimated to affect 15-to-20 per cent of the population.
The cause of seborrhoeic dermatitis is unknown. There is evidence that a type of fungus called malassezia has an influence. Seborrhoeic dermatitis most commonly affects the sides of the nose and the nasolabial folds (skin folds that run from each side of nose to corner of mouth), eyebrows, glabella (space between eyebrows and above the nose) and scalp. There are many treatment options for seborrhoeic dermatitis. Shampoos containing antifungal agents like ketoconazole or ciclopirox appear to be the most effective in the control of scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis, including dandruff.
The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ is a theory that lack of exposure in early childhood to infectious agents means that the child’s immune system has not been activated sufficiently during childhood
The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ and autoimmune conditions like eczema
The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ is a theory that lack of exposure in early childhood to infectious agents means that the child’s immune system has not been activated sufficiently during childhood. This lack of exposure is down to our super-clean world of modern living, including antibacterial washes, vaccinations, and general sterility where children are not exposed to germs in a similar manner to previous generations of children.
The theory hypotheses that because the immune system is ‘not activated’ during childhood, this leads to the immune system becoming over-sensitive to common substances such as pollen, dust-mite and animal fur, leading to the higher incidence of autoimmune conditions like asthma, hay fever and eczema in recent years.
One of the first scientific explanations of this theory was by a lecturer in epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, David P Strachan, who published a paper on the theory in the British Medical Journal in 1989. He noticed that children from larger families were less likely to suffer from autoimmune conditions like asthma and eczema. Families have become smaller in the Western world over the last 40 years, meaning less exposure to germs and infections; it is over the same period that health authorities have seen an explosion in autoimmune conditions such as asthma and eczema.
Further studies have been conducted since then, supporting the theory. For example, studies show that autoimmune diseases are less common in developing countries, however when immigrants from developing countries come to live in developed countries where living environments are more sterile, these immigrants suffer from increased levels of autoimmune conditions like asthma, and the rate of autoimmune conditions increases the longer immigrants live in developed countries.
It is a difficult issue to tackle for healthcare professionals advising parents who want the best for their children; common sense tells us all that cleanliness is important. As a pharmacist, it is difficult to advise on the best balance for parents in relation to this theory. No journal or book will give a pharmacist exact advice. In my opinion, a balanced view is to ensure children are administered important vaccines but ‘allow kids be kids’, let children play outside with friends, and try not to worry about them encountering dirt and germs, but always be cautious with children with life-threatening food allergies.
Treatment options
Diet
In adults, food allergies or food intolerance do not appear to be a factor in dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, so avoiding foods is not any benefit. In infants, avoidance of certain foods can be helpful, but healthcare professional advice is important. Common food triggers include eggs, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, milk, seafood and soya.
Maintaining adequate skin hydration
Evaporation of water on the skin leads to dry skin, especially in people suffering from dry skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis; skin hydration is a key component of their overall management. Thick creams (ie, Diprobase) which have a low water content, or ointments (ie, petroleum jelly, emulsifying ointment), which have zero water content, will better protect against dry skin than lotions. Hydration is best applied immediately after bathing, when skin is hydrated. Improve hydration by soaking in a bath containing a bath additive such as Oilatum for 10-to-20 minutes. I discuss moisturisers and emollients in more detail below.
Use of steroids
Topical corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone 1% cream may be prescribed by a GP (or OTC from pharmacy) for many dry-skin conditions. The face and skin folds are areas that are at high risk of thinning and marking with corticosteroids, so care and moderation are important. The GP may prescribe more potent corticosteroid creams such as Clobetasone 0.05 % (ie, Eumovate), betamethasone 0.01% (ie, Betnovate) or clobetasol 0.05% (ie, Dermovate) for short periods during bad flare-ups.
In relation to potency, topical corticosteroids are classed as follows:
- Mildly potent: Hydrocortisone 1%.
- Moderately potent: (2–25 times as potent as hydrocortisone): Clobetasone (ie, Eumovate), alclometasone (ie, Modrasone).
- Potent (100–150 times as potent as hydrocortisone): Betamethasone (ie, Betnovate), Mometasone (ie, Elocon).
- Very potent (up to 600 times as potent as hydrocortisone): Clobetasol (ie, Dermovate).
Corticosteroids, especially the more potent versions, should be used for the shortest period possible and use of the most potent ones should be under strict medical supervision. The patient may need to be referred to a dermatologist in more severe cases.
When using a corticosteroid and a moisturiser, it is good practice to use the corticosteroid first and to put on the moisturiser after half an hour to allow the skin time to absorb the corticosteroid. In more severe cases, treatment may include tacrolimus (Protopic Ointment) for eczema or UVB phototherapy and psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy for psoriasis.
Therapies with no evidence base
Supplementation with essential fatty acids, pyridoxine, vitamin E, multivitamins and zinc salts has no proven value. Reactions to washing powders are rare and avoidance of biological washing powders is of no benefit.
Moisturiser and emollient therapy (more detail)
No matter what type of dry skin condition, keeping the skin well moisturised is key to managing the condition. Using moisturisers and emollients is key.
The face and skin folds are areas that are at high risk of thinning and marking with corticosteroids
Emollient therapy
- Always use soap substitutes for washing your skin at all times, ie, Silcock’s base, aqueous cream, emulsifying ointment or any brand name soap substitute.
- Do not let soap, shower gel, bath foam or shampoo contact your skin.
- Avoid perfumed products — spray on clothes if necessary.
- If possible, wash hair over the bath or sink.
Drying
Pat-dry the skin gently. Avoid scrubbing skin with a towel.
How and how often to use moisturisers
Moisturise your skin immediately after washing while it is still damp; it is more effective when applied at this stage. The more often you moisturise your skin, the more effective moisturisers are. There is no limit to the number of times that you can apply a moisturiser. Always apply moisturisers in a downward motion, in the direction of hair growth. Gently massage it into the skin. Apply enough to moisten the skin without leaving it greasy. To help you remember to apply it, keep samples in various locations at home, at work and in your bag or pocket. Choose one that you like and feels comfortable. Always avoid perfumed products.
Emulsifying ointment
Run a lukewarm water bath. Put two tablespoons of emulsifying ointment into a jug of almost-boiling water. Whisk into creamy froth and add to bath water. Emulsifying ointment makes the bath slippery, so caution is needed when getting in and out of the bath. Emulsifying ointment can be kept soft by storing it in the hot press. Stay no longer than 10 minutes in the bath. Pat skin dry afterwards and if prescribed steroidal skin cream,
apply to affected area then wait 10-to-15 minutes and apply moisturiser in a downward motion.
Practical advice to manage dry skin conditions
- Nails should be kept short and well filed to reduce damage from scratching.
- Avoid strong detergent for washing clothes; use liquid detergent.
- Double-rinse after washing; do not use a fabric softener.
- Keep the skin cool, use 100 per cent cotton, keep wool away from skin.
- Keep dust down; the house dust mite causes a problem for some people with eczema.
- Adults should wear protective gloves when doing housework.
- Avoid pets and animals if possible or at best, keep pets out of a sufferer’s bedroom. l
References available upon request
Disclaimer: Brands mentioned in this article are meant as examples only and not meant as preference to other brands.
