Flaky skin affects a large part of people. In most cases the symptoms are due to harmless causes, although they can also be an indication of serious illnesses. By taking appropriate measures, flaky skin can usually be prevented.
What is flaky skin?
Scaly skin is defined as visible flakes of skin that come off easily. These flakes of skin are dead horny cells, also known as corneocytes.
The formation of dandruff is usually completely natural, but can also take on pathological features. If the skin flakes excessively, this will be noticed by white dots on the shoulders. The cause is a disruption of the protective layer of the skin.
causes
Flaky skin occurs when the skin's natural protective layer is damaged. Such a disorder manifests itself in the fact that either more skin cells die off than new ones are formed or that more skin cells are produced than required.
A balance of fat and moisture is essential for the protective layer to function. If the skin is dry or does not contain enough oil, the skin cells die and flakes develop. The disappearance of the natural protective layer can have several causes. Cold and heat, for example, dry out the skin just as quickly as unsuitable shampoos, soaps or creams.
In addition to these causes, which can be easily remedied, flaky skin can also be caused by illness. It is mainly fungal infections or allergic reactions that promote dandruff. Genetic causes or autoimmune diseases are also common causes. In addition, deficiencies as a result of a serious illness such as neurodermatitis can trigger psoriasis and flaky skin.
Diseases with this symptom
- psoriasis
- Neurodermatitis
- Ichtyosis vulgaris
Diagnosis & course
Flaky skin can usually be easily diagnosed as such. The cause can also be determined using a few examinations. First and foremost, an anamnesis of the medical history is used in order to obtain an initial indication of the reasons for the development.
Depending on whether the flaky skin is due to care errors or a suspected disease, further steps are taken. These are mainly allergy tests. In particular, if redness and itchy skin occur, a differential diagnostic examination is necessary to rule out diseases such as neurodermatitis and contact dermatitis. The differentiation between the two diseases may require more intensive diagnostics.
So flaky skin usually has harmless causes that can be remedied by taking appropriate measures. Special shampoos and increased body genius can do a lot. However, if there is no response, the excessive flaking can lead to further problems. Scratched areas on the head can become inflamed and extremely dry skin can lead to hair loss.
Complications
Many people suffer from dry and flaky skin. This can be due to fungal infections, psoriasis or bad genetic makeup. While the problem is often seen by the patient as a purely cosmetic one, the dry skin areas should always be treated by a doctor, as the protective function of the skin is obviously impaired in these areas.
If the problem is left untreated, it leads to increased itching or even spread of the eczema. As soon as the patient puts additional stress on the dry skin by scratching, the sore skin can also become inflamed. With an open wound, the risk of becoming infected with bacteria is of course also greater.
In the case of dry skin caused by dehydration, the affected areas of the skin should be treated with a high-fat cream or moisturizing lotion. If the dry skin worsens despite treatment, it must be taken into account that it could be atopic dermatitis or a fungus. While a fungus is curable, atopic dermatitis only the symptoms can be alleviated.
In general, a dermatologist should be consulted in any case, who will decide on the duration and intensity of the treatment. If the skin has already been damaged, it can rarely regenerate itself.
When should you go to the doctor?
Flaky skin is usually harmless and does not require medical clarification. However, if the dandruff persists for a longer period of time and the usual care products and home remedies do not promise any relief, a doctor should be consulted. The symptoms may be caused by an allergy or other illness that needs to be treated by a doctor. A visit to the doctor is also recommended if the skin is itchy or reddened.
If rashes have already formed on the skin, a dermatologist must be consulted. This is especially true if there is a suspicion of inflammatory psoriasis, scabies or neurodermatitis. If hair falls out or other problems with the skin or hair occur, this should be clarified. Flaky skin after a long trip or a visit to the swimming pool indicates a fungal infection that needs to be examined by a family doctor or a dermatologist. Other symptoms that speak for an immediate visit to the doctor are weeping areas, crust formation, pustules on elbows and knees and brittle hair.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
In order to avoid the problems mentioned, flaky skin must be treated in any case. In order to restore the damaged protective layer of the skin and to prevent the constant itching and the associated scratching from causing skin damage, it is important to react early.
Special creams and lotions usually help to alleviate the symptoms. These should contain panthenol, allantoin and omega-6 fatty acids, as these substances strengthen the skin's fat barrier. If the skin is not free of flakes after regular treatment with the corresponding creams, psoriasis or neurodermatitis is suspected. Special preparations can also be used here, whereby those affected should always speak to a dermatologist in order not to worsen the symptoms.
Ointments with corticoids have proven to be effective, although they cannot completely eliminate neurodermatitis and psoriasis, but greatly reduce the symptoms that occur. Finally, treatment with salicylic acid can help relieve psoriasis without further irritating the skin. Atopic dermatitis can only be treated effectively after determining the exact cause.
In addition to lotions and ointments, anti-inflammatory drugs are also used. Light therapy is also a treatment method that can be used to get neurodermatitis under control, whereby the focus is always on restoring the natural protective layer of the skin.
Outlook & forecast
At first glance, dandruff is not a worrying clinical picture. They arise when the skin is regenerated, so this is a completely normal process in the human body. However, there is also a prognosis in which there is a disorder of the skin. The scales only become visible to the human eye when at least 500 smaller scales are connected. However, this only happens when the skin exhibits an excessive death rate of old skin cells.
This symptom occurs very often with particularly dry skin. Without medical treatment, the skin dries out more and more, so that more scales form, which are visible to the naked eye. Without medication or medical treatment, the skin can become extremely and intensely dry.
Especially if there is an underlying disease such as neurodermatitis, the affected areas can spread to healthy skin regions. The skin can also become red and irritated, as dry skin is more itchy.
With appropriate treatment, however, the prognosis looks very promising. With various ointments and creams, the skin's natural protective layer can be rebuilt, so that the production of dandruff is significantly reduced. Thus, after several weeks, no more visible scales should be visible.
prevention
Flaky skin can be prevented in a variety of ways. So there is already a lot of benefits not to put too much strain on the skin and not to shower too hot or too cold, for example. In addition, drying creams should be avoided as far as possible, as these promote dandruff formation. In general, you should avoid using aggressive cleaning agents. Moisturizing shampoos and lotions, on the other hand, donate a lot of moisture and fat to the skin and are therefore recommended.
Anyone who is exposed to extreme cold or heat over a long period of time should rely on moisturizing creams. In addition, you shouldn't scratch scaly and itchy areas excessively to avoid inflammation. Finally, if you suddenly develop psoriasis or flaky skin, you should consult a dermatologist. This can prevent further complaints and, in the case of neurodermatitis, initiate appropriate therapy.
You can do that yourself
Scaly skin can be counteracted with various home remedies. First, the possible triggers should be found and fixed. A dry or humid indoor climate can be responsible for dandruff as can certain medications, aggressive skin care products or a lack of nutrients. The scaly skin may also be due to a lack of water, which can be compensated for with sufficient fluids.
Anti-dandruff creams help against psoriasis, as do regular massages and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes. A homemade hair tonic with rosemary helps against flaky scalp. A nettle shampoo supplies the skin all over the body with moisture and stimulates the sebum glands to produce fat. In winter, flaky skin can be treated with natural yogurt or aloe vera. In addition, creams and ointments, olive oil and the obligatory quark or yogurt mask help. Alternatively, effective face masks can be made from almonds, cream or avocado.
Applications with honey and cucumber provide moisture and nourish dry skin. Homemade facial tonic made from carrot juice and tea tree oil works just as well. An old home remedy is egg yolk, which is mixed with olive oil and massaged into the skin. Creams with urea, allantoin and panthenol can be used to strengthen the skin's fat barrier.
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