### Understanding Dry Skin and Eczema Both dry skin and eczema can cause your skin to become scaly, itchy, and red. While dry skin is a common condition that can affect anyone, eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is less common and often starts in childhood. Eczema is a condition where the skin's barrier doesn't function properly, leading to dryness and allowing allergens to penetrate the skin, causing symptoms. #### Differences Between Dry Skin and Eczema - **Dry Skin:** Affects people of all ages and can be influenced by environmental factors. It causes the skin to become cracked and scaly, making it easier for irritants to enter. - **Eczema:** Often runs in families and is linked to a combination of genetic factors, a faulty immune response, and environmental triggers. It is more common in people with asthma and allergies. #### Symptoms - **Dry Skin:** Generally causes dry, itchy, and scaly skin. - **Eczema:** In addition to dry and itchy skin, eczema can cause red, inflamed patches that may ooze or crust over. In children, it often appears on the face, scalp, arms, and legs. #### Treatment - **For Dry Skin:** - Take shorter, lukewarm showers. - Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers. - Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing to seal in moisture. - Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. - **For Eczema:** - Follow the same skincare routine as for dry skin. - Use medications like topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors to reduce inflammation. - In severe cases, phototherapy or systemic medications like biologics and JAK inhibitors may be prescribed. Always consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, especially if over-the-counter treatments are not effective.