Brief Answer:
Kindly send good resolution pictures and details of the affected area.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the dry skin condition with scratch marks and sores on the forearm of your husband.


- Do let me know since how long the condition is present.

- Does it started with one forearm and then the other or started simultaneously over both forearms.

- Any exposure to hot/cold environment. Any recent history of new clothes or contact with any synthetic material or if you have taken any medication by mouth before the occurrence of this rash.

Do let me know any relevant factor which could be exacerbating the condition.

In view to help you best I request you to kindly send good resolution picture of the affected area. For that you have a feature on the right side of the page. or else you can send your pictures at

YYYY@YYYY

With subject as "attention - Dr. Sanjay XXXXXXX Kanodia "

Hope to hear soon from your side.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY

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Brief Answer:
“Asteatotic dermatitis”/ severe dry skin: various suggestions.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mam,

Thank you so much for your follow up. I am really compassionate for your husband’s condition and I feel apologetic to know that you are not so computer friendly. Even then I will try my level best to help you out to deal the condition best.

It appears from your query that your husband might be suffering from “Asteatotic dermatitis” or simply saying condition appearing after severe dry skin. Our skin is made soft, supple and moisturized by the combined activity of oil and sweat glands.

After 60 years of age because of diminution of activity of oil glands and sweat glands as well due to cold weather there is very low activity of oil and sweat glands resulting in dryness and dry patches. In dry skin people we most often advise the patient to moisturize the skin at the best. The most important part in moisturization is using certain different kind of creams.

There are certain of the suggestions which are quite helpful:

- Petroleum gelly (Petrolatum), lanolin or other oils are quite cheaper and are available over the counter easily. I guide to my patients to apply any of these just after bathing when the skin is still wet. It preserves the natural water in the body.

-The other thing is to apply these moisturizer creams for 5-6 times. One should first give compressions of mildly warm water and then apply it.
-Do not use any strong soap or detergents over skin.

-Wear cotton clothes and avoid synthetic or woolen garments in direct contact of skin.

-Drink plenty of liquids everyday.

- Trim his nails and make the edges blunt to avoid scratching.

- For extreme of itching he can take oral anti histamine like Des- loratadine (available as Claritin)for two times a day.

- An important thing is to eat healthy diet containing lot of Vitamin A and Vitamin C in form of fruits and green leafy vegetables along with sprouts.

My all best wishes for his early recovery form the problem. I hope this information will help you. If you have any further queries I will be happy to help.

With good health wishes,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology

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