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Dry skin



Dry skin: Introduction

Dry skin: Dryness, cracking or scaling of the skin. See free access online books about Dry skin below. See detailed information below for a list of 189 causes of Dry skin, including diseases and drug side effect causes.

» Review Causes of Dry skin: full list

Causes of Dry skin:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Dry skin. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

See full list of 189 causes of Dry skin

» Review Causes of Dry skin: full list

Causes of Types of Dry skin:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Dry skin:

Review causes of types of Dry skin in more specific categories:

See full list of 13 types for Dry skin

Dry skin: Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Dry skin, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Symptom Checker

Symptom Checker

See full list of 2721 Symptom Checker combinations related to Dry skin

Dry skin: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Dry skin:

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Dry skin

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Dry skin:

Diagnostic Guides for Dry skin

Medical Books Excerpts Read excertps from published book sections related to Dry skin from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Dry skin. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Dry skin

Medical Books Excerpts
  • "In a Page: Signs and Symptoms" (2004)

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Dry skin: Research Related Doctors & Specialists

Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:

Misdiagnosis and Dry skin

Psoriasis often undiagnosed cause of skin symptoms in children: Children who suffer from the skin disorder called psoriasis can often go undiagnosed. The main problem is that psoriasis is rare in children, and not often seen by physicians for this reason. children may receive treatment for fungal skin infections. See misdiagnosis of psoriasis or symptoms of psoriasis....read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Dry skin

Diagnostic tests for Dry skin:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Dry skin. Some of these are listed below :

  • Physical examination
    • Note characteristics of dry skin
    • Note presence of other types of skin problems - e.g. cracking, pustules, crusting, vesicles, blisters, plaques - can help determine diagnosis.
    • Note distribution of the areas of skin affected
  • more tests...»

See full list of 18 diagnostic tests for Dry skin

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Dry skin. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

  • How long have you had dry skin? - to determine if acute or chronic.
  • Is the dryness of the skin localized or generalized?
  • If dryness of the skin is localized, where on the body is the skin dry? - may assist in helping determine cause e.g. dryness between the toes may suggest athlete's foot; dry scaly cracked skin on legs of elderly especially in winter suggest asteatotic eczema; on heels suggest keratoderma climactericum; hands and wrists may suggest scabies; in flexures such as front of elbow and behind knee suggest dermatitis; on scalp may suggest psoriasis vulgaris.
  • Is there a simple reason for your dry skin? - e.g. use of rubbing alcohol, certain chemicals and cleaning products, low humidity, home heating, windy conditions, hot dry weather conditions, air travel (because the air in planes is dry), air-conditioning (air conditioners remove moisture from the air).
  • Fluid intake? - may suggest inadequate intake of fluid and dehydration as cause of dry skin e.g. poor fluid intake due to illness, anorexia, malnutrition or neglect.
  • more questions...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Dry skin (24 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Dry skin) may include:

  • Itchy skin? - may suggest asteatotic eczema, tinea, scabies, dyshidrotic eczematous dermatitis (pompholyx), atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, lichen sclerosis, ichthyosis.
  • Symptoms of dehydration ? - e.g. thirst, postural dizziness, fainting and reduced urine output - may cause dry skin.
  • Symptoms that may cause dehydration? - e.g. vomiting, diarrhea, fever, excessive urination, gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Symptoms of Primary Sjogren's syndrome? - e.g. dry eyes, dryness of the mouth, dryness of the nasal passages, skin or vagina. This syndrome may be associated with many systemic conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon, Rheumatoid arthritis, difficulty in swallowing (as seen in systemic sclerosis), painful joints (like that seen with systemic lupus erythematosus), thyroid disease, myasthenia gravis, primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, renal diabetes insipidus, renal tubular acidosis and vasculitis.
  • Symptoms of diabetes mellitus - e.g. frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, fatigue - dry skin may be present in uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes mellitus due to excessive urination.
  • more symptoms...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Dry skin (24 listings)

Stories from Users for Dry skin

Real-life user stories relating to Dry skin:

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Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Dry skin or relevant symptoms:

Videos for Dry skin

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Psoriasis Therapy Experience

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See full list of 5 related videos

Patient Surveys for Dry skin

Causes of Dry skin listed in Disease Database:

Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible causes of Dry skin as a symptom include:

See full list of 189 causes of Dry skin
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Medications or substances causing Dry skin:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Dry skin as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

See full list of 406 medications causing Dry skin

Drug interactions causing Dry skin:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Dry skin as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

See full list of 2 drug interactions causing Dry skin

Article Excerpts about Dry skin

Many older people suffer from dry skin, particularly on their lower legs, elbows, and forearms. The skin feels rough and scaly and often is accompanied by a distressing, intense itchiness. (Source: excerpt from Skin Care and Aging - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

Many older people suffer from dry skin, particularly on their lower legs, elbows, and forearms. The skin feels rough and scaly and often is accompanied by a distressing, intense itchiness. (Source: excerpt from Skin Care and Aging - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

Organs affected by Dry skin:

The list of organs typically affected by Dry skin may include, but is not limited to:

Detailed list of causes of Dry skin

The list below shows some of the causes of Dry skin mentioned in various sources:

See full list of 189 causes of Dry skin

How Common are these Causes of Dry skin?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Dry skin. Of the 189 causes of Dry skin that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

  • 5 causes are "very common" diseases
  • 7 causes are "common" diseases
  • 3 causes are "uncommon" diseases
  • 1 causes are "rare" diseases
  • 2 causes are "very rare" diseases
  • 180 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 189 causes of Dry skin

Conditions listing symptoms: Dry skin:

The following list of conditions have 'Dry skin' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

A

  • Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome ... coarse skin, dry skin
  • Acquired hypothyroidism ... dry skin
  • Acromegaly ... coarse skin
  • ADULT syndrome ... dry skin
  • Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy ... dry skin
  • Alves Castelo dos Santos syndrome ... dry skin
  • Amelo-onycho-hypohidrotic syndrome ... dry skin
  • Ampola syndrome ... dry skin
  • Anorexia Nervosa ... dry skin
  • Asteatotic dermatitis ... dry skin
  • Athlete's foot ... cracked skin
  • Athyrotic hypothyroidism sequence ... dry skin
  • Autoimmune thyroid diseases ... dry skin

    B

  • Barakat syndrome ... coarse skin, dry skin
  • Basaran-Yilmaz syndrome ... dry skin
  • Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy ... coarse skin
  • Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy, type 1 ... coarse skin
  • Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy, type 2 ... coarse skin
  • Body skin hyperlaxity due to vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency ... wrinkled skin

    C

  • Cerebral dysgenesis, neuropathy, ichthyosis, and palmoplantar keratoderma syndrome ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - 1-Pentanethiol ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - 2-Hexanone ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Acetic Anhydride ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Acetophenone ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Amitrole ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Anisole ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Boric Acid ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Carbinoxamine ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Chlorobenzene ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Cyclohexanol ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Cyclohexanone ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Ethylamine ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Ethylene Dichloride ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Hexane ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Isopropyl Alcohol ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Kerosene ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Methylene Chloride ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Nitromethane ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Phenmedipham ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Tetrachloroethane ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Tetrachloroethylene ... dry skin
  • Chemical poisoning - Tetrahydrofuran ... dry skin
  • Chemical-related eczema ... cracked skin
  • Chondrodysplasia punctata ... dry skin
  • Chondrodysplasia punctata, non rhizomelic type ... dry skin
  • Chromosome 1q duplication syndrome ... wrinkled skin
  • Chromosome 22, trisomy ... wrinkled skin, dry skin
  • Chronic vitamin A toxicity ... dry skin
  • Cleft lip palate pituitary deficiency ... dry skin
  • Cockayne syndrome ... dry skin
  • Contact dermatitis ... cracked skin, dry skin
  • Craniosynostosis mental retardation clefting syndrome ... dry skin
  • Cretinism athyreotic ... dry skin

    D

  • Dehydration ... wrinkled skin, Dry skin
  • Dermatoleukodystrophy ... wrinkled skin
  • Dermo-odontodysplasia ... dry skin
  • Developmental delay - hypotonia extremities hypertrophy ... dry skin
  • Devil's trumpet poisoning ... dry skin
  • Diabetes ... flaky skin
  • Diarrhea ... Dry skin
  • Disorder of Cornification 12 (Neutral Lipid Storage Type) ... dry skin
  • DOC 12 (Neutral Lipid Storage Type) ... dry skin
  • Dry skin ... dry skin
  • Dyshidrotic dermatitis ... cracked skin

    E

  • Ectodermal dysplasia ... cracked skin on soles
  • Ectodermal dysplasia - arthrogryposis - diabetes mellitus ... dry skin
  • Ectodermal dysplasia - mental retardation - central nervous system malformation ... dry skin
  • Ectodermal dysplasia anhidrotic ... dry skin
  • Ectodermal dysplasia mental retardation syndactyly ... dry skin
  • Ectodermal dysplasia/ skin fragility syndrome ... cracked skin on soles
  • Eczema ... cracked skin, skin cracking
  • Environmental allergen related eczema ... cracked skin
  • Erythrodermic eczema ... cracked skin, dry skin

    F

  • Familial hypopituitarism ... dry skin
  • Familial hypothyroidism ... dry skin
  • Fenton-Wilkinson-Toselano syndrome ... dry skin
  • Follicular ichthyosis ... dry skin
  • Food Additive Adverse reaction - citric acid intolerance ... dry skin
  • Fox-Fordyce Disease ... dry skin
  • Freire-Maia odontotrichomelic syndrome ... dry skin
  • Freire-Maia syndrome ... dry skin

    G

  • Ghosal syndrome ... wrinkled skin
  • Granulomatous hypophysitis ... dry skin
  • Grix-Blankenship-Peterson syndrome ... dry skin

    H

  • Hand eczema ... dry skin
  • Hashimoto's Thyroiditis ... coarse skin, dry skin, dry skin
  • Herbal Agent overdose - Nutmeg ... dry skin
  • Hereditary hypothyroidism ... Dry skin
  • HIV/AIDS ... flaky skin
  • Hunter-Carpenter-Macdonald syndrome ... dry skin
  • Hypothyroid goitre ... Dry skin
  • Hypothyroidism ... dry skin
  • Hypothyroidism - dermoid cyst - cleft palate ... dry skin
  • Hypothyroidism due to iodide transport defect ... dry skin

    I

  • Ichthyosis ... cracked skin, dry skin
  • Ichthyosis - mental retardation, Devriendt type ... dry skin
  • Ichthyosis prematurity syndrome ... dry skin
  • Ichthyosis Vulgaris ... dry skin
  • Ichthyosis vulgaris, dominant ... dry skin
  • Ichythosiform Erythroderma with Leukocyte Vacuolation ... dry skin
  • Irritant contact eczema ... cracked skin

    J

  • Jimsonweed poisoning ... dry skin
  • Johnston Aarons Schelley syndrome ... dry skin
  • Judge-Misch-Wright syndrome ... dry skin
  • Jung-Wolff-Back-Stahl syndrome ... dry skin

    K

  • Kanzaki disease ... dry skin
  • Kawanism ... dry skin

    L

  • Leprechaunism ... wrinkled skin
  • Lichen sclerosis ... crinkled skin
  • Lymphomatous thyroiditis ... dry skin

    M

  • Macroepiphyseal dysplasia with osteoporosis, wrinkled skin, and aged appearance ... wrinkled skin
  • Medication related hypothyroidism ... Dry skin
  • Menkes Disease ... dry skin
  • Mental retardation unusual facies ampola type ... dry skin
  • Mental retardation, X-linked - seizures - psoriasis ... dry skin
  • Moynahan syndrome III ... flaky skin, dry skin
  • Multiple endocrine abnormalities - adenylyl cyclase dysfunction ... dry skin
  • Multiple system atrophy ... dry skin
  • Myxedema ... coarse skin, dry skin

    N

  • Neuropathy, Hereditary Sensory, Type IV ... dry skin

    O

  • Oculo tricho dysplasia ... dry skin
  • OHSS ... dry skin

    P

  • Pachydermoperiostosis ... coarse skin
  • Panhypopituitarism ... wrinkled skin, dry skin
  • Phenylketonuria ... coarse skin
  • Pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema) ... cracked skin
  • Primary hypothyroidism ... Dry skin
  • Progeria short stature pigmented nevi ... wrinkled skin, dry skin
  • Psoriasis ... cracked skin

    R

  • Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome ... dry skin
  • Riboflavin deficiency ... cracked corners of the mouth
  • Riedel syndrome ... dry skin
  • Rieger anomaly - partial lipodystrophy ... wrinkled skin

    S

  • Scleroderma ... hardening of skin, dry skin patches
  • Sclerosing bone dysplasia - mental retardation ... wrinkled skin
  • Secondary hypothyroidism ... Dry skin
  • Sheehan Syndrome ... dry skin
  • Shock, Neurogenic ... dry skin
  • Sick building syndrome ... dry skin
  • Sjogren's Syndrome ... cracked skin, Symptoms from dry skin:, dry skin
  • Sjogren's syndrome, juvenile, secondary to autoimmune disease ... dry skin
  • Sjögren syndrome, primary ... dry skin
  • Sjögren syndrome, secondary ... dry skin
  • Spinal shock ... dry skin
  • Stoll-Alembik-Finck syndrome ... dry skin
  • Storm syndrome ... wrinkled skin, aged skin
  • Stress-related eczema ... cracked skin
  • Sub clinical hypothyroidism ... Dry skin
  • Sulfatidosis juvenile, Austin type ... dry skin

    T

  • Temperature-related eczema ... cracked skin
  • Tertiary hypothyroidism ... Dry skin
  • Tetramelic deficiencies - Ectodermal dysplasia - deformed ears - other abnormalities ... dry skin
  • Thyroid disorders ... dry skin
  • Thyroid hormone plasma membrane transport defect ... dry skin
  • Thyrotropin deficiency, isolated ... dry skin
  • Tranebjaerg-Svejgaard syndrome ... dry skin
  • Tricho odonto onycho dermal syndrome ... dry skin
  • Trichodysplasia xeroderma ... dry skin
  • Triglyceride storage disease with impaired long-chain fatty acid oxidation ... dry skin
  • Trihydroxycholestanoylcoa oxidase isolated deficiency ... dry skin
  • Type 2 diabetes ... flaky skin

    V

  • Varicose eczema ... dry skin
  • Vitamin A deficiency ... dry skin

    W

  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome ... Dry skin
  • Wrinkly skin syndrome ... Wrinkled skin

    X

  • X-linked ichthyosis ... Dry skin
  • Xerotic eczema ... cracked skin

    Y

  • Yaws ... cracked soles

    Conditions listing complications: Dry skin:

    The following list of conditions have 'Dry skin' or similar listed as a complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

    N

  • Nicotine addiction ... dry skin

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  • Causes of Dry skin Based on Risk Factors

    This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Dry skin based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:

  • Travel - has the patient travelled recently?
  • Diabetes - history of diabetes or family history of diabetes?

    Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Dry skin?

    Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Dry skin, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.

    Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :

    Classifications of Dry skin:

    Subtypes of Dry skin:

    Cracked skin (33 causes), Cracked mouth corner (1 cause), Fibrosis of skin, Skin turgor, decreased, Dry scaly skin (32 causes), Flaky skin (4 causes)

    Medical Conditions associated with Dry skin:

    Skin symptoms (3491 causes), Skin texture changes (454 causes), Skin problems (3250 causes)

    Symptoms related to Dry skin:

    Rough skin (12 causes), Scaly skin (411 causes), Skin rash (900 causes), Skin blisters (331 causes), Low humidity, Certain chemicals and cleaning products e.g. soap, Psoriasis, Eczema (205 causes), Contact dermatitis, Hypothyroidism (48 causes), Ichthyosis (411 causes), Air-conditioning, Windy weather

    Medical articles on signs and symptoms:

    Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:

    These general medical articles may be of interest:

    See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

    Medical News summaries about Dry skin

    Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Dry skin and many other medical conditions:

    News Archives for Dry skin

    Medical news articles related to Dry skin include:

    Source: HealthDay News

    Evidence Based Medicine Research for Dry skin

    Medical research papers related to Dry skin include:

    Research More Evidence-Based Medicine at TripDatabase.com

    Related medical articles from our Disease Center for Dry skin:

    More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:


     » Next page: Causes of Dry skin

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