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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Dry Skin With Cracking And Bleeding?

i have a granddaughter that since birth her skin splits and cracks was told she will out grow this but her whole body is still dry cracking and bleeding and she will be 8 in oct she can not even bend her leg with out cracking and bleeding behind her knees they have put her on steroids creams but as soon as she is off of the creams she is worse then ever her parents do not know what they can do for her her skin is like some one that exposed to the wind and hard environment. please help! thank you!
Wed, 3 Sep 2014
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
From the description provided, your grand daughter could be having atopic dermatits or genetic dry skin condition known as ichthyosis. If its ichthyosis, either of her parents might be having similar dry skin. If its eczema, it will improve with time.
In Eczema we prescribe mild soap, a good emollient and sterodi creams. In ichythyosis, we precribe mild soap and a urea or lactic acid based moisturiser.

I would advise that
She should use luke warm water to bathe. Bathing time should never exceed more than 10 minutes as excessive water exposure too dries the skin. Do not rub the skin vigorously to dry it, instead pat it dry.
Use a good thick emollient preferably urea and lactic acid based multiple times in a day to keep the skin soft.
Use steroid creams at areas of severe affliction. Initially use strong steroid like mometasone and then shift to milder ones
Make her wear cotton clothes as synthetic clothes, wool may irritate skin.

Hope this should help
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What Causes Dry Skin With Cracking And Bleeding?

Hi, Thanks for writing to us. From the description provided, your grand daughter could be having atopic dermatits or genetic dry skin condition known as ichthyosis. If its ichthyosis, either of her parents might be having similar dry skin. If its eczema, it will improve with time. In Eczema we prescribe mild soap, a good emollient and sterodi creams. In ichythyosis, we precribe mild soap and a urea or lactic acid based moisturiser. I would advise that She should use luke warm water to bathe. Bathing time should never exceed more than 10 minutes as excessive water exposure too dries the skin. Do not rub the skin vigorously to dry it, instead pat it dry. Use a good thick emollient preferably urea and lactic acid based multiple times in a day to keep the skin soft. Use steroid creams at areas of severe affliction. Initially use strong steroid like mometasone and then shift to milder ones Make her wear cotton clothes as synthetic clothes, wool may irritate skin. Hope this should help