Xerosis: a Dysfunction of the Epidermal Barrier

Barco, D.; Giménez-Arnau, A.

doi:10.1016/S1578-2190(08)70343-3

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Abstract

Xerosis or dry skin is a common skin disorder among the general population. It is characterized clinically by rough, scaly, and often itchy skin. This disorder is present in the course of some dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, although it can also occur in healthy individuals if a combination of certain etiologic factors is present. It is characterized pathophysiologically by a disrupted stratum corneum, dehydration, and impaired keratinocyte differentiation. Treatment of xerosis should seek to restore physiologic lipids in the epidermis and provide substances that facilitate epidermal differentiation.

Key words:

xerosis

dry skin

stratum corneum

ceramides

lipids

Resumen

La xerosis o piel seca es un trastorno cutáneo de alta prevalencia en la población general que se caracteriza clínicamente por una piel áspera, descamativa y habitualmente pruriginosa. Ciertas dermatosis como la dermatitis atópica cursan con este trastorno, aunque puede presentarse en individuos sanos si coinciden varios factores etiológicos. Fisiopatológicamente consiste en la modificación estructural del estrato córneo, su contenido en agua y un defecto en la diferenciación queratinocitaria. El tratamiento de la xerosis debiera buscar la recomposición de los lípidos fisiológicos de la epidermis y el aporte de sustancias que faciliten la diferenciación epidérmica.

Palabras clave:

xerosis

piel seca

estrato córneo

ceramidas

lípidos

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