Common Skin Conditions &
Treatment Guides
When skin becomes dry (see anatomy of skin section above for further details), it can no longer perform its usual functions. Without the moisture they need, skin cells become stiff and inflexible, and as a result skin can become cracked and rough, losing protective barrier lipids and disturbing desquamation and exfoliation. This can lead to cracks in the stratum corneum, and immature and underdeveloped skin cells rising to the surface. In turn, this can lead to different levels of dry skin, from uncomfortable and tight skin to flaky and chapped skin.
Kligman's criteria are generally regarded within primary care and dermatology as the standard for visual clinical assessment and diagnosis of the severity of dry skin conditions. Used to categorise a person’s skin into four gradations, Kligman’s criteria takes into account signs and symptoms of xerosis (dry skin) under terms such as pruritus, flaking, chapping, burning, erythema, pain, scaling, stinging and tightness. The four gradations range from:
- Grade 1 – Healthy skin - no visible signs of dryness, healthy sheen or glow
- Grade 2 – Mild xerosis - small flakes, whitening of dermatoglyphic triangles (lines that form patterns on the skin i.e. fingertips and palms)
- Grade 3 – Moderate xerosis – small dry flakes with a light powdery appearance. The corners of dermatoglyphic triangles start to lift)
- Grade 4 – Severe xerosis – entire length of dermatoglyphic triangles are uplifted creating large, dry flakes. Roughness and redness of the skin is clearly apparent
Dry skin can also lead to conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis, which (depending on their severity) can have a significant impact on a patient’s life, both physically and emotionally. Click on the links below for information about these common skin conditions, including visual guides, diagnostic questions, and treatment guidelines.
The information is presented in a PDF format for you to download and print as needed. These three information sheets form part of a CPP accredited training tool for pharmacists. To access this tool, please click here.
