"Dry Eczema": Hydrating Management & Practical Advice 

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What is "Dry Eczema"?

A Clinical Presentation of Eczema 1,2,3

The expression "dry eczema" is used in everyday language but doesn’t refer to a distinct type or category of eczema. Much like "weeping eczema" or "lichenified eczema," "dry eczema" describes a clinical presentation of the condition. In that case, dry skin is a prominent symptom, often seen in children with atopic dermatitis.

Typically, eczema progresses with small blisters filled with clear fluid on the surface of lesions. These blisters break, leading to weeping (the weeping phase), which then dries into crusts. However, in some cases, blisters are minimal on the eczema patches, and dry skin, scales, and redness dominate the symptoms.

Thus, the terms "dry eczema" and "weeping eczema" can describe two phases of the same disease that may alternate in the same person over time.

Characteristic Symptoms of Eczema 1,2,3

The primary symptom of eczema is dry skin, leading to intense and persistent itching. Other symptoms include redness and scales. The skin affected by eczema often feels tight and cracked, exacerbating discomfort and feelings of tightness.

Asteatotic Eczema 3,4

Asteatotic eczema is a specific form of the condition characterized by extremely dry, flaky skin with red cracks. It mainly affects older individuals on the front of their legs in cold and dry weather.
Symptoms of asteatotic eczema include dry skin, cracks, itching, redness, and burning sensations. Without treatment, these cracks can deepen, forming painful sores with a risk of infection.

Skin Barrier Dysfunctions

Eczema is associated with skin abnormalities. Particularly in atopic dermatitis, there are dysfunctions in filaggrin, an essential protein for the formation and hydration of the skin's upper layer. A decrease in natural moisturizing factors (NMF) worsens skin dryness, and increased skin permeability makes it easier for irritants, allergens, and pathogens to penetrate.

Solutions and Management for Eczemas with Significantly Dry Skin

Practical Advice for Daily Management of Eczema 1,6

Several daily measures can be carried out for eczema prevention:

• Apply an emollient, ideally within minutes of showering or bathing, to maintain skin hydration.
• Take short showers or baths, 5 to 10 minutes, with lukewarm water, and use gentle, soap-free cleansers.
• Dry your skin by dabbing, not rubbing.
• Wear clothes made of natural fibers (cotton, linen). Avoid irritating materials such as wool and synthetic fabrics.
• At home, maintain comfortable humidity and cool temperatures.
• For stress prevention, engage in relaxing activities.
• Identify and eliminate potential allergens from your environment.
• Wear gloves when using cleaning products and reinforce the application of emollients during winter when the weather is cold and dry.
• Consult your dermatologist for regular follow-up.

• Choice of ingredients: You could favour a product with a simple, hypoallergenic formula. Certain agents could help maintain hydration, such as glycerol which retains moisture, others can offer protective action and help restore the skin barier such as vasline and paraffin for example.