ABSTRACT
Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 12.5 The Role of Moisturizers in Itch and Dry Skin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 12.6 Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Xeroderma (dry skin) is characterized by a scaly, rough, cracked, and fissured surface, and is intimately associated with the somatosensory sensation of itch. Nearly every dermatological condition that manifests with xerotic skin is accompanied by itch. Atopic dermatitis is the hallmark and most prevalent of the conditions manifesting with dry skin and itch. Other clinical conditions involving dry skin and pruritus include common diseases like psoriasis, seasonal xerosis, pruritus of the elderly, asteatotic eczema, certain ichythoses, as well as systemic diseases such as uremia and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Quite interestingly, patients with ichythosis vulgaris, which is associated with significant xerosis, do not complain of itch.1
