Dry skin, known as xerosis cutis or xeroderma, is a common phenomenon in older people and can lead to xerotic eczema, itching, allergic reactions, and bacterial infection. It is characterized by a lack of the proper amount of water in the epidermis that is the most superficial layer of the skin.
Dry skin tends to affect equally males and females but older people are much more disposed to dry skin. This is because their skin has low amounts of natural skin lubricants and oils. Areas such as hands, arms, and especially lower legs tend to be more affected by dry skin. It can be a temporary and mild condition that can last a few days or weeks.
There is no single cause of dry skin and the causes can be distinguished into internal as well as external ones. External causes are the easiest to address and include low humidity and cold temperatures, particularly during the winter when people use central heaters. Also, they include an overuse of cleaning agents and sanitizers, over-washing with harsh soaps, the evaporation of water after a swim or bath, improper use or choice of moisturizers and some medicine such as drugs for acne, allergies, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Internal causes include a personal medical history of other diseases such as atopic dermatitis, genetically caused conditions, and age related issues or the overall health situation of a person. People with thyroid diseases are more disposed to developing dry skin. The symptoms and signs include red plaques, rough dry skin and itching.
For treatment of dry skin, it’s recommend that the affected peron uses an oil-based product when bathing instead of the usual soap product. After bathing, one should apply a moisturizing cream to the skin that will reestablish the skin’s barrier. After that he can use a store-bought body lotion for daily treatment. It is recommended to talk to a doctor or dermatologist if eczema, serious itching, or a skin infection occurs.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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