Diagnostics for dry skin
To treat dry skin and rashes, a diagnosis must be made by the family doctor or dermatologist. By asking specific questions, the doctor can estimate in advance what caused the rash or dry skin. An inspection of the rash is then carried out.
Not only the appearance of the exanthema but also its localization on the body can give the physician clues as to the cause or underlying disease. In order not to overlook a bacterial or viral disease, which can also cause a skin rash, lymph nodes are scanned. In most cases, the doctor also looks down the throat and measures the fever. A blood sample may be taken. In some cases it is necessary to take a smear or a skin sample (biopsy) of the affected skin areas.
Accompanying symptoms of dry skin
The most common accompanying symptom of dry skin and rash is severe itching. This can be so severe that the skin is scratched with blood and becomes even more inflamed. In addition, swelling of the subcutaneous tissue (angioedema) can occur in allergic skin rashes, but also in neurodermatitis or hypothyroidism.
These are usually found on the face, hands or feet.If the dry skin and rash are due to stress, other physical stress symptoms may also occur. Frequently the gastrointestinal tract is affected with alternating stools (alternating diarrhea and constipation), nausea or even vomiting. If the dry skin is caused by an underactive thyroid gland, many different symptoms can occur.
These include weight gain, fatigue, listlessness, sensitivity to cold, memory weakness, brittle hair and nails, hoarseness, permanent constipation (chronic constipation) and many more. Red patches on the skin usually represent an inflammation and are called a rash. The red spots can be caused by various factors.
Since the protective barrier does not function properly in dry skin, it is more susceptible to infection. Therefore, bacteria, viruses and fungi can penetrate the skin more easily and cause an infection and ultimately red spots on the skin. But red spots on the skin can also occur in skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, hives, psoriasis and also acne.
In addition to the red spots, these diseases are usually accompanied by dry skin (except for acne). The so-called rose blossom (rosacea) is characterized by red spots on the skin and visible, dilated veins on the face. The cause of the disease has not been clarified. Affected persons often suffer from dry skin in the early stages of rosacea. Here too, the facial skin can become inflamed more easily and cause a rash.
