Desiccation eczema – colloquially called desiccation eczema – (synonyms: Asteatosis cutis; asteatotic eczema; degenerative eczema; dermatitis sicca; dysregulative-microbial eczema of the sebostatic type; eczéma craquelé; eczema craquelée; desiccation dermatitis; desiccation eczematid; Schreuss; sebostatic dermatitis; senile eczema; xerotic eczema; ICD-10-GM L30. 8: Other specified dermatitis) is a chronic eczema that results from decreased sebum secretion by the skin (sebostasis).
Seasonal frequency of the disease: Exsiccation eczema occurs more frequently in winter.
Elderly people, neurodermatitis sufferers and small children are affected by exsiccation eczema.
Sex ratio: Men are more frequently affected than women.
Frequency peak: The disease occurs from the second half of life.
No figures are available on the prevalence (disease frequency) of exsiccation eczema.
Course and prognosis: Dry skin (xeroderma) often does not cause symptoms in the first decades of life. Some patients only notice increased trickling skin flakes without the appearance of further symptoms. From the second half of life, increasing exsiccation (dehydration) leads to an unpleasant feeling of tightness. Excessive personal hygiene (washing and bathing) and thus the excessive use of soaps or shower products, contributes to the dehydration of the entire skin. Typically, exsiccation eczema often worsens or manifests on the extremities (mostly on the lower leg; less commonly on the trunk) in winter or during the cold season. These are manifested by typical reticular reddish tears of the cornea (eczéma craquelé), reminiscent of a dried riverbed, and subsequent inflammation of the skin. If left untreated, reddish-brownish, scaly, infiltrated plaques (extensive or plate-like proliferation of skin substance) develop.Exsiccation eczema can be treated well; changes in showering and bathing habits and re-lubrication of the skin with suitable base creams and oil baths are helpful. In rare and severe cases, especially if itching persists, glucocorticoid-containing creams are required.The prognosis is good as long as body and skin care recommendations are followed.
