What Causes Flaky Skin on the Legs?

Flaking skin on the legs may result from inadequate daily skin care or excessively dry skin, which compromises the epidermal barrier function and leads to excessive white scaling. In such cases, maintaining skin hydration and applying moisturizing ointments regularly is usually sufficient. Alternatively, the flaking may be due to a skin rash—for example, common conditions such as psoriasis or ichthyosis—both of which are associated with marked skin dryness. If your condition involves red patches accompanied by itching, consult a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment; topical emollient and antipruritic ointments should be used as directed.