Symptom: Dry skin

Introduction: Dry skin

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 129 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.

• Practical reasons for dry skin:
  • Low humidity
  • Home heating
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Certain chemicals and cleaning products
• Pregnancy - some level of dry (or itchy) skin can occur in pregnancy.
• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Fungal skin infection
• Heatstroke
• Sunstroke
• Hypothyroidism
• Uremia
• Ichthyosis
• Vitamin A deficiency

See full list of 129 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:

• Cracked skin (32 causes)
• Cracked mouth corner (10 causes)
• Fibrosis of skin (20 causes)
• Skin turgor, decreased
• Dry scaly skin (27 causes)
• Flaky skin (4 causes)

More types of Dry skin

Dry skin: Multiple Symptom Checker

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

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Dry skin: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Dry skin and Skin problems (107 causes)
• Dry skin and Skin symptoms (107 causes)
• Dry skin and Skin texture changes (100 causes)
• Dry skin and Head symptoms (85 causes)
• Dry skin and Face symptoms (77 causes)
• Dry skin and Behavioral symptoms (51 causes)
• Dry skin and Nerve symptoms (48 causes)
• Dry skin and Personality symptoms (47 causes)
• Dry skin and Eye symptoms (45 causes)
• Dry skin and Muscle symptoms (45 causes)
• Dry skin and Body symptoms (45 causes)
• Dry skin and Mouth symptoms (44 causes)
• Dry skin and Sensations (43 causes)
• Dry skin and Hair symptoms (42 causes)
• Dry skin and Swelling symptoms (42 causes)
• Dry skin and Infant symptoms (38 causes)
• Dry skin and Mental problems (38 causes)
• Dry skin and Pain (37 causes)
• Dry skin and Weakness (37 causes)
• Dry skin and Muscle weakness (36 causes)

See full list of 1393 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Dry skin

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Skin symptoms (1828 causes)
• Skin texture changes (338 causes)
• Skin problems (1677 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Dry skin

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

• Rough skin (12 causes)
• Scaly skin (234 causes)
• Skin rash (559 causes)
• Skin blisters (226 causes)

Diagnostic Guides for Dry skin

Medical Books Excerpts Read excerpts 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

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

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
• Blood 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.

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.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Dry skin (24 listings)

Stories from Users for Dry skin

Real-life user stories relating to Dry skin:

• very dry, thinning skin
• Too young for this
• Bloating, stomach pain, dry skin, thinning hair, lack of appetite
• Got 2 different diagnosis'! Skin Condition.
• Very dry skin
• Dry skin...
• VA too slow need help!!
• is my son too young for type too
• Dry cracked skin - comes and goes
• Fatigue, Dry Skin, Eye-Rings (Dehydration?)
• I'm too YOUNG for this!!!
• Need help for scaly, dry, itchy skin
• dry flaking skin and eyebrow loss
• Dry patch of skin on neck, fatigue
• dry skin causing slurred speech
• Very Hot Skin Temperature
• Dry itchy skin
• <>
• itchy scabby dry skin in external ear canals
• Too quick with the knife

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

• Integumentary (Skin) (244)
  • Itchy red bumps all over body? Hives?
  • Sensitive Skin to Touch
  • Painful skin and no answers!!!
  • Pinprick red dots, itchy skin, wrongly diagnosed
  • Skin blisters, joint & muscle pain, Photos..
  • More user stories
• Allergic/Immunologic (88)
  • Chronic hives
  • Spontaneous flushing and redness of face and body.
  • Non-stop itching, no rash
  • Swelling & itching
  • Problems with my scalp can anyone help me
  • More user stories

Videos for Dry skin

Patient Surveys for Dry skin

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about diseases related to your Dry skin
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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:

• Atopic dermatitis
• Dehydration
• Erythema craquele
• Etretinate
• Hyperkeratosis
• Hypohidrosis
• Hypothyroidism
• Ichthyosis
• Ichthyosis vulgaris
• Isotretinoin
• Psoriasis
• Vitamin A
• Wolcott-Rallison syndrome

See full list of 129 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.

• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Benoxyl
• Benzac AC Wash
• Benzac W Wash
• Benzoyl E

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.

• Phenytoin and Levothyroxine interaction
• Thyroid and Cholestyramine interaction

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:

• Skin

Detailed list of causes of Dry skin

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

• Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome - coarse skin
• Acromegaly - coarse skin
• ADULT syndrome - dry skin
• Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy - dry skin
• Alves Castelo dos Santos syndrome - dry skin

See full list of 129 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 129 causes of Dry skin that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

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

See the analysis of the prevalence of 129 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.

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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: