Table of contents:
- What causes scaly skin?
- Atopic dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Pityriasis rosea
- Ichthyosis vulgaris
- Dermatomyositis
Who doesn't want to have smooth and soft skin? Everyone naturally wants to. However, many unexpected factors cause scaly, cracked, red, and itchy skin which makes it uncomfortable. Why is that?
What causes scaly skin?
Scaly skin indicates the peeling off of the dead skin layer, as a result of the destruction of the outer layer of the skin (which contains a mixture of dead skin cells and natural oils) so that skin elasticity is reduced. The damage causes the skin regeneration process to stop. As a result, your skin will become flaky and scaly.
Scaly skin can be caused by exposure to direct sunlight, weather that is too hot / cold, unhealthy food intake, and not drinking enough water. But scaly skin can also be caused by several health conditions, such as:
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a condition where the skin becomes dry, cracked, itchy, and is reddish in color. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form. Dematitis itself is an inflammatory condition in the skin characterized by dry and reddish skin, while the word atopic refers to people who are prone to allergies - which are usually allergies to bath soaps, detergents, and perfumes. Eczema on the hands can even cause the skin on the palms of your hands and fingers to become dry, thick, cracked, the skin burns, and even bleeds.
Psoriasis
If your skin has silvery white scales that cover thick red skin, immediately check with your doctor because you could have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that occurs because new skin cells grow faster than normal, but old skin cells fail to exfoliate properly. The new and old cells eventually cluster together, causing thick, itchy patches and sores on the skin. This disease is generally characterized by a red rash, thickened and flaky skin, dry, scaly, itchy and sore skin. Psoriasis usually appears on the knees, lower back, elbows, or scalp. Psoriasis is not contagious and is often caused by genetic factors.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is the most common cause of dandruff. This can be seen from the number of whitish scales on the hair and shoulders. Sometimes it is also accompanied by itching. The scalp and surroundings feel oily and flakes of scales can also fall on the eyebrows.
Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a condition on the skin of the body that is a rash, pink or red in color, and is shaped like a scar or red bump that resembles a patch. Usually, this condition will disappear within a few weeks. This disease can be followed by the appearance of scaly patches.
Ichthyosis vulgaris
Ichthyosis vulgaris is a congenital skin disorder in which dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin, giving the skin a small scaly appearance, in the form of white or gray flakes, and making the skin feel rough. Ichthyosis vulgaris can appear at birth or in early childhood, but can disappear completely as adulthood - although the condition can also reappear.
Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is a rare muscle disease that is often preceded by a red, scaly rash - usually on the eyelids, nose, cheeks, elbows, knees and knuckles.
