Desiccation Eczema (Exsiccation Eczema): Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of desiccation eczema (desiccation eczema).

Family history

  • Do many family members suffer from premature skin aging?

Social history

  • What is your profession?

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • Do you suffer from:
    • Dry skin?
    • Itching?, burning? – especially after bathing or showering
    • Skin lesions:
      • Partly scaly, partly excoriated skin redness on the dry skin.
      • Fine reticular cracks of the stratum corneum (craquelé-shaped torn, ie looks like cracked porcelain).
      • Substance defects of the skin caused by scratching.
      • Possibly small superficial bleeding
      • If necessary, sensory disturbances
  • How long have you been suffering from these complaints?

Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis

  • How often do you bathe or shower?
  • Do you often go to the tanning salon?
  • Do you eat a balanced diet?
  • What is the humidity in your workplace or home?
  • Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
  • Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?

Self history incl. medication history.

  • Pre-existing conditions (skin diseases)
  • Operations
  • Radiotherapy
  • Allergies

Medication history

Environmental history

  • Irritants (chemicals, solvents)
  • Air conditioning (dry air)
  • Overheated rooms
  • Dry room climate
  • Sun (frequent sunbathing)
  • Winter (cold) → reduction of sebaceous gland secretion.