What makes skin scaly

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Scaling skin is dry, cracked, or flaky skin. Also known as desquamation, scaling skin happens when the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis, begins to flake off.

Scaling skin may arise when an injury or a medical condition damages the outer layer of skin. Some conditions interfere with the structure and moisture content of the skin or cause the body to produce extra skin, which can lead to dry or flaky skin.

Scaling skin is a symptom of many medical conditions, including psoriasis , contact dermatitis, eczema , and fungal skin infections. Some causes can lead to health complications if left untreated. Commonly affected areas include the face, legs, and hands. Continue reading to find out what causes scaling skin, how to identify the condition with our picture guide, treatment options, and when to see a doctor.

Contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that develops after someone has come into contact with an allergen, irritant, or toxic substance. People can develop contact dermatitis anywhere on the body, but it typically appears on exposed body parts, such as:. Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder that causes patches of thick, scaly skin to develop. Psoriasis usually affects the following body parts:. People with psoriatic arthritis , a condition related to psoriasis, often experience swelling, stiffness, or pain in the joints.

Eczema is a common skin condition that affects 30 percent of people in the United States. It is most common in children and adolescents.

Atopic dermatitis. Dyshidrotic eczema. A dry, scaly scalp might be scalp eczema. Learn what symptoms to look for, causes, how to treat the condition, and how to prevent flare-ups. Topical steroid creams are one of the most commonly used eczema treatments. We explain what they are, how to use them, possible side effects, and more. PUVA is a treatment for severe atopic dermatitis that hasn't responded well to other options.

PUVA combines phototherapy and medications called…. The hallmark symptoms of eczema are itching and inflamed skin. However, other symptoms may include inflammation, hyperpigmentation, rash, or oozing. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Types Risk factors Treatment Lifestyle remedies Outlook Overview Dry skin is an uncomfortable condition marked by scaling, itching, and cracking.

Types of dry skin. Risk factors for dry skin. Treatment for dry skin. Lifestyle remedies. Outlook for dry skin. Gross also recommends adding skin-care products that contain vitamins A and C to your routine because they counteract the coating deposited by hard water.

Salicylic acid can be great at treating acne, but it may also dry out your skin when you first start using it, according to MedlinePlus.

The good news is that you don't have to give up these skin-care saviors, though cutting down on their use may deliver results without irritation. Forman Taub says. The best frequency will depend on your specific skin type, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Take burning, peeling, and flaking as signs you need to stop using the product, Dr. Frieling says. Sometimes the air inside can be as punishing on your skin as the air outside. Forced air, especially heat, can draw humidity levels down, making skin feel dry and itchy, Frieling says.

Use it early if you see signs of chapped or dry skin," Dr. Schlessinger says. Hydrocortisone, which sometimes requires a prescription, reduces swelling, redness, and itching and helps heal and soothe dry, chapped skin and speed its healing, according to MedlinePlus.

This can be a big issue for people who work in industries that require frequent handwashing, such as health care. Ointments tend to be thicker than moisturizers, so keep an ointment such as Aquaphor on hand and apply after each wash. Dry skin isn't usually serious. In most cases it's caused by factors like hot or cold weather, low moisture in the air, and soaking in hot water.

You can do a lot on your own to improve your skin, including using moisturizers and avoiding harsh, drying soaps. But sometimes dry skin happens often or is severe.

In these cases, you may need help from a doctor who specializes in skin dermatologist. Dry skin is often temporary — you get it only in winter, for example — but it may be a lifelong condition. Signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health, where you live, time spent outdoors and the cause of the problem. Dry skin is likely to cause one or more of the following:.

Dry skin xerosis often has an environmental cause. Certain diseases also can significantly affect your skin. Potential causes of dry skin include:. These complications are most likely to occur when your skin's normal protective mechanisms are severely compromised.