Dry skin home remedies and ICD 10 code

What is the ICD 10 code for dry skin?

Dry skin is also called xerosis or xerosis cutis. The ICD 10 code needs separate verification.3

Why does skin become dry?

Dry skin develops when skin loses too much water and oil. Signs include flaking, peeling, roughness, itching, tightness after bathing and cracks that can bleed. Dryness can occur anywhere, but commonly affects the hands, feet, arms and lower legs. Cold dry air, heating, air conditioning, frequent handwashing and long hot showers can contribute. So can some soaps, detergents, medicines and skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Aging also reduces the skin's natural oil production.3

Emollients are moisturizing treatments that coat the skin and reduce water loss, leaving it softer and more comfortable. Their effects are short lived, so frequent application matters. Dry skin care depends on keeping moisture in the skin, not on giving the bathroom a more ambitious inventory.4

How to treat dry skin at home

1. 1Keep baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes, using warm rather than hot water. Avoid scrubbing your skin.
2. 2Use a gentle cleanser instead of regular soap. Limit cleanser to the face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet rather than soaping every area.
3. 3Gently pat your skin with a towel, leaving it slightly damp. Apply a mild, fragrance free cream or ointment immediately to seal in that moisture.
4. 4Wash your hands before applying moisturizer. For a tub, remove the product with a clean spoon or spatula rather than your fingers; a pump can dispense onto clean hands.
5. 5Smooth a thin, shiny layer over the dry areas in the direction the hair grows. Do not rub vigorously.
6. 6Reapply whenever skin feels dry. Aim for several applications through the day, and use hand cream every time you wash your hands.

Which moisturizer should you choose?

Choose an effective moisturizer with a texture you are prepared to use regularly. Greasier preparations generally give the strongest emollient effect, but a less oily product can be more practical on the face. There is no need to choose a more expensive emollient if a cheaper one works and feels acceptable. A moisturizer you will actually use regularly is a better choice than one chosen for its brand name, which has yet to do any moisturizing by itself.4

What natural remedies help dry skin?

For very dry skin, petroleum jelly or a thick cream is a more effective moisturizing choice than butters and oils, which tend to liquefy on the skin. Petroleum jelly traps existing moisture: apply it to skin that is still damp from bathing or over a lotion or cream. To ease itching, use moisturizer and a cool compress on irritated areas. Loose, breathable cotton clothing helps avoid irritation from tight clothing or rough wool.13

Can you wash with an emollient?

Many leave on emollients can replace soap. Mix a small amount with warm water in your palm, spread it over the skin, rinse and pat dry. If stinging continues after rinsing, ask a pharmacist about another product.2

Dedicated bath and shower emollient additives are not necessary for childhood eczema care. In a large UK study, adding them did not improve eczema more than using leave on emollients alone. Focus on frequent application of a leave on moisturizer rather than buying a separate bath product. Mild dry skin moisturizers are available from supermarkets and pharmacies.6

What if you have sensitive skin or eczema?

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, can cause itchy, dry, raw and sensitive patches. If you have eczema, choose products labeled "fragrance free" rather than "unscented," which can contain masked fragrance. Test a new product on a small patch inside your arm each day for 7 to 10 days before wider use. If the skin stays clear, you can use the product. Use fragrance free and dye free laundry detergent, wash new clothes before wearing them and remove irritating tags. Known eczema triggers include dry air, dust, pollen and sunburn. Protect exposed skin from cold weather and avoid overheating. Home care can help control eczema, but eczema has no cure and sometimes needs medical treatment.7

On darker skin tones, dryness can look whitish or grayish, and flaking or discoloration can be more noticeable. A moisturizer containing ceramides helps seal in moisture and reduce that appearance.1

How do you use moisturizer with other treatments?

If you use a prescribed steroid cream, leave 30 minutes between the steroid and your emollient. Ask your doctor which to apply first. Applying them together can dilute the treatment. If you receive ultraviolet light treatment or radiotherapy, check your emollient instructions with the treating team before starting. A plain emollient is not a substitute for sunscreen.5

Keep emollients and fabrics that have touched them away from flames and cigarettes, including products without paraffin. Clothing, bedding and dressings can catch fire more easily, and washing does not completely remove the buildup. Emollients also make baths, showers and floors slippery. Seek advice if a product causes persistent burning or stinging, inflamed hair follicles or a facial rash.2

How long should home care take, and when should you see a doctor?

You should see some improvement within two weeks of consistent home care. If dryness persists despite that routine, see a dermatologist: a prescription treatment or assessment for eczema, psoriasis or ichthyosis, a condition that causes excessively dry skin, could be needed. Contact a healthcare professional sooner if itching prevents sleep, scratching causes open cuts or sores, or you feel itchy without a visible rash.13