Itchy and flaky skin

The epidermis or the upper layer of human skin consists of cells - epithelium. It is multilayered and is constantly undergoing a process of keratinization, the final stage of which is the formation of keratins - the protective and renewing stratum corneum. Through peeling, the skin scales are separated and new ones take their place. This is a normal physiological process as long as it does not cause itching. Itching and flaking of the skin often indicates the presence of dermatoses.

Causes of the itchy and flaky skin

All the reasons for itching and flaking of the skin can be divided into several groups. These can be diseases of the skin itself, the most common of which are:

• eczema; [1]
• psoriasis; [2]
• scabies; [3]
• ringworm; [4]
• seborrhea. [5]

The second, no less rare - pathologies of other organs and systems that have skin manifestations:

• allergies; [6]
• liver and gallbladder malfunctions;
• parasite infestation;
• Sebaceous gland dysfunction due to improper metabolism;
• neurological disorders.

Group Three:

• mechanical damage;
• sunburns;
• a reaction to detergents.

Risk factors

Factors that aggravate the skin condition include age-related dryness of the epidermis, cold weather, low humidity, active sun. Improper care can also cause considerable damage to the skin.

Pathogenesis

The process of regeneration of the epidermis is provided by its basal, the lowest layer. Above it are the spiny, granular, shiny and the most superficial stratum corneum.

Keratinocyte skin cells produce the protein substance keratin, which over time accumulates as scales without nerve endings or blood vessels on the surface of the skin and flakes off.

Skin renewal occurs constantly, its cycle is 21-28 days at a young age, in the elderly it is much less frequent. Violation of this complex mechanism leads to various problems and dermatic diseases.

Epidemiology

Currently, more than 1.5 thousand skin diseases are known. Adding to them internal pathologies with the same manifestations, peeling and itching from external factors, we get a frightening statistic, which is difficult to fully fix and express in concrete figures.

Symptoms

The first signs in the form of peeling, redness and itching cannot be missed, as there is an irresistible need to scratch, rub the place of its localization. An itchy and flaky rash may also appear. In what places do these symptoms most often appear?

• Itching and flaking of the head - occurs against the background of seborrheic dermatitis due to poor diet, hormonal imbalance, bad habits, psoriasis, eczema or ringworm.

Severe stress, change of climate can cause symptoms. It can also occur due to the use of unsuitable shampoos and other hair care products, frequent use of a hair dryer to dry hair.

• Itching and flaking of the facial skin - this part of the head is always open, so it is most exposed to external factors: wind, frost, heat, ultraviolet radiation.

A woman's face is constantly exposed to decorative, care cosmetics. The male face often suffers from its absolute absence and the need for daily shaving.

In addition, the face often becomes an object of manifestation of allergies, fungal infections, demodecosis.

• Itchy ears and flaking - moderate flaking is not an indicator of pathological processes, but severe flaking accompanied by itching is a reason to be alarmed and undergo an examination for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, diabetes, skin diseases, boils or pimples in the ear, fungus. It is quite possible that the body has weakened its immunity or it does not have enough moisture.
• Peeling and itching of the eyelid - the skin around the eyes is very sensitive, so it quickly reacts to various negative influences. So, eyelids immediately respond with itching, redness and peeling to any allergens, fatigue, prolonged work with a computer. Often such manifestations are caused by an eyelash mite, the use of poor-quality cosmetics, dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis, viral infections, influenza.
• Itching and peeling of the lips - may be an indicator of excessive dryness of the skin, the influence of unfavorable weather conditions (wind, sun, frost), indicate an inflammatory process occurring in the body. The formation of dry crusts on the lips, burning, redness of the border around them, cracks in the corners are symptoms of cheilosis.
• Itching and flaking around the nose - if there is no runny nose as a result of a cold, the reason for this may lie in avitaminosis, allergies, poor skin care, infection with a skin mite parasite, fungus causing facial seborrhea. It may well be that it is not suitable cosmetics, do not match the type of skin used creams.
• Itchy eyebrows and flaking are most likely a dermatologic problem of the entire face or a reflection of a medical condition. It is possible that the skin requires a different approach to care for it. Perhaps the microclimate of the room has a detrimental effect on the epidermis or a long stay outdoors.
• Flaking and itching on the chin - hormonal changes, stressful situations, poor diet, preference for fatty foods, lack of sleep - all of these can affect the skin on the chin, unless there are medical problems involved.
• Neck flaking and itching - the skin of this part of the body is very delicate and sensitive, so it often reacts to allergens, poor quality moisturizers or nutrients. It can easily become inflamed and itchy from friction with a synthetic collar or scarf.

In addition, such discomfort in the neck area can be caused by a number of diseases: neurodermatitis, psoriasis, thyroid pathologies (hyperthyroidism, iodine deficiency, diffuse goiter).

• Itching and peeling on the back - if it is not a matter of neglecting the rules of personal hygiene, then the causes should be sought among such diseases as xeroderma (is not a systemic pathology, but is associated with a violation of the process of sloughing of epithelial cells), psoriasis, fungal lesions, dry seborrhea. Allergic reactions to detergents or irritation from using a too stiff washcloth should not be discounted.
• Itching and peeling on the nipples - a very delicate and delicate area of the body and if the symptoms affect only it, then most likely it is a reaction to underwear or a manifestation of internal problems of the body, which should be determined by visiting a doctor. In pregnant women dry nipples can be explained by hormonal changes, in nursing women it can be traumatized as a result of improper grip during lactation. Other causes are also possible, such as allergies or dermatitis.
• Peeling and itching on the legs - occurs for the same reasons as in the rest of the body. Similar symptoms felt between the legs, on the inner sides of the thighs, can occur due to friction if they are full. Often itching and peeling provokes synthetic clothing. Women remove hair from the lower limbs with a shaving machine and this leads to skin irritation.

Itching and peeling of the feet, especially between the toes, is often caused by fungus, because being in shoes, the foot sweats, there is a fertile ground for the multiplication of microorganisms.

• Flaking and itchy hands - this can be caused by excessive dry skin, eczema, diseases that weaken the body's defenses, stress, taking medications.

The skin on the elbows is rougher and lacks sebaceous glands, so it differs from the skin on other parts of the hands. A small peeling does not indicate any pathology. But itching, crusting, redness may indicate diseases of such organs as the stomach, thyroid, adrenal glands or be a sign of diabetes mellitus, eczema.

The skin between the fingers of the hands is often flaky because it is the hands that are constantly in contact with various substances that are aggressive towards them. Due to tactile contact with objects accessible to many hands, it is easy to contract skin diseases such as scabies.

• Itching and peeling under the arms - often appears due to too much attention to this area. The rules of good manners require that there is no hair there, and therefore it must be shaved off, but sometimes there is damage, and you can not use the same blade for a long time.

Deodorants and antiperspirants are used in areas of high perspiration, which are not always accepted by the skin. Those who do not follow these rules may experience sweating, and bacteria, including Candida fungus, can easily grow.

• Scaling and itching in the groin - can be both infectious and non-infectious origin, a consequence of mechanical injuries, allergic contact dermatitis. This may indicate erythrasma - pseudomycosis of bacterial origin, localized in large folds of the body. Infection with pubic lice or flat lice cannot be ruled out.
• Flaking and itching in the intimate area - there are many pathologies that can cause such symptoms, including the labia in women. Fluctuations in the ratio of estrogen and progesterone cause a disruption in the hormonal balance, and often this kind of discomfort.

So can manifest allergies, dysbacteriosis, thrush, sexually transmitted diseases, pink lichen Gibert, phthyriasis, inflammation of the external genital organs (adnexitis cervicitis, colpitis).

• Itching and peeling in a child - his delicate and thin skin is even more susceptible to irritation, damage, infections. The baby's immature body often responds with such symptoms to various foods and even mother's milk, if the mother has allowed herself to eat something non-dietary.

An important hereditary predisposition, epidermophytosis, papillary lichen, ichthyosis, secondary syphilis, eczema, atopic or contact dermatitis, microsporia, lupus erythematosus, staphylococcus aureus. As you can see, there are many causes, but in making a diagnosis, you need to rely only on the doctor.

Diagnostics of the itchy and flaky skin

Most people initially try to cope with the problem on their own, but if in addition to flaking appears itching, inflamed skin, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist. Diagnosis of dermatoses is not easy because of their large number (more than 2 thousand). A big role in making a diagnosis is played correctly and in detail collected anamnesis. Everything is important here: age, nature of work, living conditions, time of day of the most intense manifestations of symptoms, general health, etc.

To make a diagnosis, allergy tests are performed to identify the allergen. They come in intradermal, droplet, flap, application. Skin biopsy is another method of histologic examination. A culture is also taken to grow a culture of the fungus if it is suspected.

The general state of health is assessed by general blood and urine tests, as well as a dilated blood test. Stool analysis is able to detect helminth infestation, and a co-program is able to detect the presence of dysbacteriosis.

The diagnosis of dermatomycosis is clarified by microscopic examination of scales from flaky areas. This procedure is also subjected to a smear from the vagina or prostate secretion. For a deeper study of the state of internal organs, which may cause dermatic problems, resort to ultrasound, CT.

Differential diagnosis

The task of differentiating between skin diseases is very difficult, as their manifestations are often similar in different etiologies. However, there are various disease-specific tests that can help to determine the diagnosis.

Treatment of the itchy and flaky skin

Therapeutic measures are primarily directed at the cause that caused the reaction of the epidermis. Immunomodulators are used to increase the body's defenses. For external application, ointments and gels are used to relieve itching and flaking.

Medications

Allergic manifestations are relieved by antihistamines: cetirizine, loratadine, alerzin.

Cetirizine is a peripheral H1_receptor antagonist, has anti-allergic effect. Children under 12 years of age are not prescribed, the dose for other categories - 1 tablet per day. Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to the drug, patients with severe renal impairment. Requires caution in the use of epileptics, pregnant and lactating women. Among the side effects, drowsiness, headache, dry mouth, nausea were observed.

External antihistamines include ointments and creams for itching and peeling, divided into hormonal (corticosteroid): prednisolone ointment, Advantan, celestoderm, non-hormonal: sudocrem, panthenol, gel phenistil, anti-allergenic ointments with antibiotics: erythromycin, levomekol, acriderm.

To combat helminths, anthelminthic drugs are used: pyrantel, decaris, vermox, mebendazole.

Pyrantel is available in the form of tablets and suspension. Babies up to 6 years old can be given the drug in liquid form, tablets are recommended for adults and older children. To get rid of parasitic roundworms, the dose is 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight of the child, for adults - 6-8 pieces per day.

In enterobiasis and ascariasis - 1 tablet per 20 kg of weight and 3-4 respectively, once. The drug can cause allergic reactions and has some side effects, such as: dizziness, asthenia, insomnia, urticaria.

From infection with demodecosis, lichen, scabies are used antiparasitic drugs, especially effective sulfur ointment.

Sulfur ointment - used externally, applied in a thin layer to the damaged areas 2-3 times a day. It is not applied to children under 3 years of age, the effect on pregnancy has not been studied. The product can cause local reactions.

Cinovit cream from irritation, peeling and itching - it resists fungi, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial action. Produced on the basis of natural oils using zinc pyrithione and dicalium glycyrrhizinate. It is applied to the skin in the morning and at night. Depending on the diagnosis, the course of treatment can be 6 weeks. There is no information on contraindications.

In some skin diseases, including psoriasis, immunomodulators are used as part of complex treatment. One of them is cyclosporine.

Cyclosporine - most often injections are used for treatment. Dosage is individual, the average is 2.5mg per kilogram of weight per day. The duration of treatment is up to 3 months. The drug has many side effects, among which are high blood pressure, deterioration of vision, tremor, anemia, exacerbation of gastritis. It is not applied to children under a year old, in pregnancy, lactation, cancer, anemia.

Shampoos against itching and flaking

Itching and flaking of the scalp most often indicates seborrheic dermatitis. A comprehensive approach, including both medication and proper hair care with the use of specialized shampoos, can cope with it.

They shall have the following effect:

• antifungal;
• anti-inflammatory;
• exfoliating;
• antipruritic;
• antibacterial.

They can not be used daily, but only 2-3 times a week. The most popular with us are "Nizoral" and "Sulsena". In fact, there are a lot of shampoos from dandruff. Well-known and not so well-known manufacturers have in their line of such means. Among them are Vichy, Head & Shoulders, Clear Vita Abe, Green Pharmacy and others.

Vitamins

Vitamin deficiency is another link in the chain of factors affecting skin health. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties, C - blocks the action of free radicals, E - prevents skin dehydration, B1 - contributes to its elasticity, B2 - reduces inflammation, improves cell metabolism, accelerates regeneration, D - is involved in metabolic processes, provides absorption of calcium and phosphorus (without it many vitamins, including B vitamins, are not digested). Vitamins A and D are able to suppress manifestations of psoriasis.

All of them provide resistance of the epidermis and the body as a whole against various diseases. It is very difficult to get a sufficient and balanced amount of all useful substances by selecting foods, so it is better to take pharmacy complexes.

Physiotherapy treatment

Treatment of the skin with natural factors can give good results. Physiotherapeutic methods include light therapy (ultraviolet radiation), photo-, photo-chemo-, cryotherapy.

Folk treatment

Relying on the success of folk treatment alone is not worth it, but it is quite possible to combine it with medication. Here are some of the recipes:

• potato juice lotions, cucumber juice;
• lubrication of problem areas with a mixture of olive oil and propolis;
• application of baking soda;
• cold compresses.

Herbal treatment

Herbs are suitable for those with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, soothing properties. Decoctions and infusions of succession, chamomile, parsley greens, calendula, celandine can be taken internally, as well as make baths, compresses with them locally.

Homeopathy

In the arsenal of homeopaths are many remedies that can eliminate itching and flaking of the skin. In these symptoms, intensified in the heat, use sulfur, clay, wolfsbane, chronic eczema - arsenic potassium, itching in the folds of the skin - coffee tree, eyelids, ears - sunflower Canadian, head - Sabadilla, lips - picric acid, back - daisy, genitals - hemlock, water navel.

Complications and consequences

The consequences and complications depend on the severity of the diagnosis. In any case, you can not ignore and aggravate the problem, it must be eliminated.

Prevention

Preventive measures to ensure good skin condition include maintaining the body's water balance, maintaining body hygiene, using high quality skin care products that nourish, moisturize, but do not dry out the skin. It is necessary to take care of natural clothes that do not cause irritation, reduce the impact of stress on the body, and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Forecast

The prognosis for getting rid of itching and flaking is ambiguous and depends on the diagnosis. Lichens, seborrhea, allergic rashes and many other dermatological problems are cured, but psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus forever. People live with them, periodically undergoing a course of treatment.