Dry, scaly skin is a prominent feature of psoriasis. Skin scales are often shed profusely in psoriasis, causing considerable embarrassment and distress to affected individuals, while dry may crack and bleed and make it difficult to carry out daily tasks. The most common form is chronic plaque psoriasis, in which plaque occurs commonly on the shines, knees, elbows and trunk. Psoriasis can also affect the flexures and 80% of sufferers have it on the scalp. Different treatments are required according to the areas affected.
Emollients are important in restoring the pliability and cosmetic appearance of the skin and, in psoriasis, they are important adjuncts to treatment, as they reduce irritation and help to reduce troublesome skin flaking. The application of an emollient that hydrates and thus softens the scaly, hyperkeratosis surface of the psoriatic plaques is itself an active, but treatment for psoriasis. Use of emollients should be recommended to reduce the scaly appearance of the lesions and to potentially reduce the amount of corticosteroid needed
DRY SKIN – HOW DOES IT OCCURS?
Normally the stratum corneum has a water content of 30%. When this water contents comes down to less than 10%, the skin becomes dry. This leads to abnormal desquamation of corneocytes. Thus the skin feels rough, scaly and dry. Water is lost through evaporation [transepidermal water loss; TEWL] to the atmosphere under low humidity conditions and must be replenished by water form the lower layer of the skin. Xerotic skin is due to more than simply reduce water content. Electron micrographic studies of more than simply reduced water content. Electron micrographic studies of dry show a stratum corneum that is thicker, fissured and disorganised.
Skin grossly identified as dry is a mixture of different xerotic states. Most are due to over- cleansing. Others represent varying degrees of ichthyosis, mild atopic dermitis and lichen pilaris. Inadequate sweat gland and oil gland presence with abnormal keratinisation account for other xerotic designations.
Situation created by disease, injury
Skin grossly identified as dry is a mixture of different xerotic states. Most are due to over- cleansing. Others represent varying degrees of ichthyosis, mild atopic dermitis and lichen pilaris. Inadequate sweat gland and oil gland presence with abnormal keratinisation account for other xerotic designations.
Situation created by disease, injury
Soft ,smooth and pliable skin
sweat, sebaceous material and oil from epidermal cellular debris from a natural emulsion that flows freely over skin surface. This emulsion is influenced by age, cleansing, friction, humidity, temperature and other factors .
The following factors are responsible in keeping the skin smooth , soft and pliable.
Natural moisturising factors: free amino acids obtained from the breakdown of fillagrin , along with other physiological chemical s such as lactic acids, ure and salts present in the stratum corneum are called natural The face and the rest of the skin surface are lubricated daily through natural events. The moisturising factor. They are responsible for keeping the skin moist and pliable by their hygroscopic property – by attracting and holding water.
Desquamation: Desquamation is the enzymatic process of dissolving the desmosomes, and the eventual shedding of these cells. It is an important factor in keeping the skin soft.
Intracellular lipids: These lipids form multimellar bodies and play a key role in barrier function by trapping water and preventing excessive water loss. Individual above 40 years show a sharp decline in these intracellular lipids, being more susceptible to dry skin conditions.
The following factors are responsible in keeping the skin smooth , soft and pliable.
Natural moisturising factors: free amino acids obtained from the breakdown of fillagrin , along with other physiological chemical s such as lactic acids, ure and salts present in the stratum corneum are called natural The face and the rest of the skin surface are lubricated daily through natural events. The moisturising factor. They are responsible for keeping the skin moist and pliable by their hygroscopic property – by attracting and holding water.
Desquamation: Desquamation is the enzymatic process of dissolving the desmosomes, and the eventual shedding of these cells. It is an important factor in keeping the skin soft.
Intracellular lipids: These lipids form multimellar bodies and play a key role in barrier function by trapping water and preventing excessive water loss. Individual above 40 years show a sharp decline in these intracellular lipids, being more susceptible to dry skin conditions.
DRY SKIN
Skin, the largest organ in the body, is a physical barrier to the environment. When this barrier property of the skin is altered and damaged is caused to the skin dryness results. “Dry skin” is an extremely common problem and occurs due to various reasons including harsh weather conditions, exposure of the skin to water, soaps, gloves, chemicals etc.
The classic study of dr Irwin blank in the 1950’s demonstrated that a hydrated stratum corneum is the reason for cosmetically acceptable soft, pliable, smooth skin.
This article talks about how the stratum corneum is kept moist by moisturisers and also about various skin conditions where moisturisers are useful.
The classic study of dr Irwin blank in the 1950’s demonstrated that a hydrated stratum corneum is the reason for cosmetically acceptable soft, pliable, smooth skin.
This article talks about how the stratum corneum is kept moist by moisturisers and also about various skin conditions where moisturisers are useful.
