What does dry eczema look like?
Disease description:
My son keeps complaining that his back itches. His father said it might be dry eczema. What does dry eczema look like?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Xerosis cutis, also known as asteatotic eczema or craquelum eczema, is primarily characterized by dry, rough skin with fine cracks in the epidermis and stratum corneum. The skin appears pale red, with more pronounced redness in the cracked areas, resembling "cracked porcelain." This condition commonly occurs in multiple body areas but is predominantly seen on the limbs, especially the extensor surfaces of the lower legs and the back of hands. Additional symptoms include a large amount of fine scales on the skin surface, which easily adhere to clothing and fall off when undressing. During exacerbations, the affected skin may develop intersecting fine cracks; the base of the fissures appears red, with raised edges lined by scales. There may even be exudation, crusting, erythema, and desquamation. Patients often experience intense pruritus, particularly at night, and repeated scratching can lead to skin bleeding, crusting, and pain.
