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Scaly skin is one of the skin problems that can interfere with appearance because it is sometimes accompanied by itching and discomfort. How come? Scaly skin can occur when the outermost layer of skin is peeled off.
The skin produces about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every day. These dead skin cells are then removed and replaced by new skin cells. In healthy skin, the process of replacing dead skin cells should be invisible and invisible.
What causes scaly skin?
The cause of scaly skin or sloughing off of dead skin layers is due to damage to the outer layer of the skin, which contains a mixture of dead skin cells and natural oils to help retain water.
If the layer is damaged and water vapor comes out, then the skin cell regeneration process stops or does not occur as it should so the skin peels and flakes.
In addition, dry scaly skin can be caused by age, sun exposure, exposure to products containing harsh chemicals, use of acne medications, too hot or cold weather, and not drinking enough water.
Some people may also have certain health conditions that also trigger dry, scaly skin conditions accompanied by itching and peeling, such as:
1. Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
One of the causes of scaly skin can be triggered by eczema or atopic dermatitis.
Babies and children usually have eczema on their chin and cheeks, but scaly skin can appear anywhere on the body.
Hand eczema can cause the skin on your palms and fingers to become dry, thick, cracked, red, swollen, and itchy. In fact, the skin can feel burned and even bleed. Basically, the cause of atopic dermatitis can not be known with certainty. Symptoms can arise due to allergic reactions or skin irritation to certain substances, for example from perfumes, bath soaps, skin care products, and cosmetics, chlorine, cigarette smoke, and clothing materials (wool).
2. Psoriasis
Psoriasis, especially the plaque psoriasis type, will cause symptoms in the form of the appearance of reddish areas on the skin filled with scales. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that occurs when new skin cells grow faster than normal, but old skin cells fail to exfoliate properly.
These new and old skin cells cause thick, itchy, and sore patches on the skin, causing a red, thickened, flaky rash. Usually, this dry and scaly skin disease appears on the hands and feet, elbows and knees, and scalp. This condition can also cause your nails to crack, crumble, or fall out.
Generally, psoriasis is caused by heredity and immune system disorders. Therefore, there is no specific treatment that can cure it. Treatment from a doctor is usually only given to reduce the symptoms and complaints felt by the patient.
3. Seborrheic dermatitis
The cause of flaky skin peeling on the scalp can be due to the condition of seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a cause of dry and scaly scalp, resulting in white flakes in the form of dandruff. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, your scalp and surrounding skin will feel oily and have yellow or white scales.
You may even find flakes on your eyebrows. This type of dandruff can also affect the skin behind your ears and the sides of your nose.
4. Ichthyosis Vulgaris
Ichthyosis Vulgaris is a skin disease caused by heredity and often appears since childhood. This disease triggers dead skin cells to accumulate on the surface of the skin in the form of white or gray flakes and causes the appearance of dry, scaly skin that is very thick. Several types of diseases, such as kidney failure, some cancers, and HIV disease, can trigger this condition.
The number of people with white scaly skin disease is quite a lot, but generally, it is not severe. Therefore, sufferers are usually not disturbed as long as the moisture of their skin is maintained properly.
5. Actinic keratosis
Scaly and peeling skin disease that appears and goes away could be an actinic keratosis.
Actinic keratosis will appear if you spend too much time in the sun without using protection, such as sunscreen or long-sleeved clothing and hats, and often darken your skin tone.
This condition is characterized by thickening, peeling, and discoloration of the skin. Sometimes the skin area also feels rough, even painful to the touch, even though it looks normal to the naked eye.
Actinic keratosis is also known as a precancerous condition. If left untreated, this scaly skin disease can turn into squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
6. Lichen planus
Lichen planus is also a cause of scaly and dry skin. This condition begins with the appearance of shiny, reddish-purple bumps.
The more the bumps grow, the thicker, rougher, and scaly skin lumps will form. Generally, this skin disease will attack the wrists, feet, shins, lower back, to the genitals.
Sometimes, the symptoms of lichen planus can make the skin blister and itchy. Older people are most likely to be at risk for lichen planus.
The cause itself is not known with certainty. Most likely, an immune system disorder is a trigger.
7. Athlete's foot
Did you know that dry, scaly skin can be caused by an athlete's foot or tinea pedis?
An athlete's foot or tinea pedis is a fungal infection that usually affects the toes. This fungal infection can make the skin dry and scaly, itchy, red, cracked, or blistered.
Although generally harmless, you need to consult a doctor to get the right treatment. Thus, this condition does not spread to other parts of the body or spread to other people.
8. Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is another cause of scaly skin. Pityriasis rosea is a pink or brown rash with a round or oval shape that usually first appears on the chest, abdomen, or back.
After 1-2 weeks, clusters of dry, scaly skin will appear later. This condition is commonly experienced by women with an age range of 10-35 years but is rarely experienced by pregnant women.
Doctors suspect viral infection, such as the herpes virus, is causing dry, scaly skin. Pityriasis rosea is also often accompanied by fatigue and headaches. You are advised to consult a doctor if you suspect dry scaly skin is caused by pityriasis rosea.
9. Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is an uncommon condition that causes muscle and skin inflammation.
This disease is characterized by a purple scaly skin rash that usually appears on the eyelids, nose, cheeks, elbows, knees, knuckles, upper chest, and back.
Although it can be experienced by anyone, women are most likely at risk of experiencing this cause of scaly skin.
10. Diaper dermatitis
Not only adults but the cause of scaly skin can also be experienced by babies. Red, irritated, or scaly skin on your baby's bottom may be caused by diaper dermatitis, also known as diaper rash.
This common condition is usually seen in babies aged 9 to 12 months. Diaper rash appears around the groin and genitals, which are generally areas covered by diapers.
Diaper rash is a type of dry, scaly skin caused by allergies or irritated skin. Diaper rash doesn't require extra care, but if your baby's diaper rash doesn't go away, see a doctor find out the cause and the best treatment.
Who is most at risk of having dry, scaly skin?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, some people have a higher risk of developing dry, scaly skin, such as:
- Age above 40 years or more.
- People of black, brown, and white color.
- People who take drugs.
- People with jobs often make the body wet.
- People are often exposed to low temperatures in their environment.
- People with mineral and vitamin deficiencies.
- Smoker.
- People with congenital skin diseases.
- Itchy skin conditions.
- People with diabetes, thyroid, or kidney disease.
- People on dialysis.
- People undergoing cancer treatment.
- Anorexic.
- HIV sufferers.