The skin (especially its upper layer - the epidermis) is hypersensitive to any disruptions in the body. Often this is expressed in the appearance of spots - discolored areas of the dermis. Often this condition is accompanied by peeling - accelerated rejection of old dead epidermal cells. Peeling, rash and itching do not just signal malfunctions in the body, they scream about problems.
Spots can be in the form of a point rash, large, discolored areas that spread throughout the body and limbs. Rashes on the body are often different in appearance, size, shape. Spots can change their color, then the shape of the skin can change: they can rise above the skin level in the form of blisters, plaques and tubercles. Also, rashes can be accompanied by itching and soreness. Dry spots on the skin peel off, they can indicate serious external or internal diseases, or be understandable without pathology. Among the pathologies, chronic diseases of the internal organs, infections, allergies can be expressed.
Types of spots
When dry spots on the skin peel off, their species may have different colors. In addition, they vary in size, location, shape and associated symptoms. Dry spots can be white, pink, red, dark brown and almost black. By structure, they can be:
- rough and smooth, do not peel off;
- dry - spots on the skin peel off,
- accompanied by itching to varying degrees of severity;
- in the form of a rash with pustules.
A smooth surface speaks only of a change in skin tone, while its structure is not disturbed. Spots that peel and itch appear more often spontaneously and especially do not bother their owner.
Many people consider this simply a mild allergy to something or skin irritation of a random nature, they do not go to the doctor. And the anomaly may not disappear, moreover, it begins to spread to healthy areas of the skin, so examination by a doctor is a necessity.
Causes
If dry spots on the skin peel off and cause a lot of trouble, they can appear for a number of reasons and factors:
- Allergic reactions are one of the most common causes. In this case, the allergy can be seasonal or permanent. It is dangerous for the development of complications, for example, Quincke's edema.
- Fungal infections - accompanied by itching, peeling. If untreated, they easily chronically and markedly reduce the quality of life.
- Strong and frequent stresses are the causes of dry spots on the skin (flaky and itchy).
- Increased or sharply reduced air humidity always negatively affects the epidermis.
- Temperature differences affecting the face.
- Skin diseases.
- Thyroid problems (hypofunction) and other endocrinopathies, such as diabetes mellitus.
- Gastrointestinal diseases.
- Vitamins.
- Dehydration.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Aggressive care products.
- Long insolation, dehydration;
- Helminthiasis, which the products of decay and vital activity of worms poison the body.
- Natural aging.
- When dry spots on the skin peel off, it can be a manifestation of oncology.
- The result of living in an area with a constant sharp wind (sultry or icy). In both cases, the basis for the appearance of spots is the oncoming dehydration of the skin.
- Long sitting at the computer is also fraught with dry skin of the face and hands. It is caused by a prolonged vasospasm and a small but prolonged radiation directed at the parts of the body that are present.
- Reflex disorders of blood and lymph circulation.
Thus, if dry spots on the skin peel off, the causes of the appearance can be very different - from completely harmless to serious systemic diseases. 30% of all cases are neurological in nature - psychoemotional outbursts and stresses. Such spots themselves appear and themselves (in a few hours, sometimes days) disappear. May be accompanied by slight itching.
Dry red spots
If a dry red spot on the skin peels off, this may indicate violent processes that require a pronounced flow of blood, which would provide this place with nutrition and protection and quickly remove tissue decay products. The appearance of such spots is characteristic of the following types of skin lesions:
- viral;
- bacterial;
- mycotic (fungal);
- cutaneous;
- neurological.
Or spots can be the result of allergies, systemic diseases and oncology.
Possible diseases include:
- psoriasis, lichen, diathesis;
- viral infections;
- vitamin deficiency, dehydration;
- stress, prolonged emotional instability.
Viral etiology - measles, rubella, chickenpox, smallpox.
For bacterial rashes, the following is characteristic - dry red spots on the skin peel and suppurate - this is their distinguishing feature.
Stains in skin diseases are distinguished by the fact that on the skin, along with already stabilized dry patches, maceration patches, blisters and blisters, crusts, and scarring coexist in parallel.
Dark rashes
These include brown spots on the skin. Often they become the result of age-related changes (aging - senile keratosis). Characteristic during pregnancy - arise due to hormonal surges and rearrangements in the body. After childbirth, they disappear themselves.
Senile spots on the skin (elevated above the surface, varying in color - from light brown to dark) have a cracked surface with hair growing through. The reasons are violations of trophic skin, blood supply and lymph, and those that have already surpassed all borders. Of the common causes of brown spots, the following can be distinguished:
- Lichen. They appear as dry spots on the skin (peel and itch).
- Adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation.
- Fungal infection.
White spots
White pigmentation indicates a violation of the production of melanin, responsible for skin color. If a dry white spot on the skin peels, but does not itch, then most often you do not need to worry. It is only the body's response to strong external stimuli, for example, the sun. Also, a person may have increased destruction of melanin, for example, with vitiligo, one of the lichen (pink, or Giber, pityriasis, also called color, sun, beach), one of the forms of leukoderma (syphilitic, medicinal or other).
Spot diseases
Psoriasis is a dermatosis of a chronic, recurrent nature, not studied by etiology. It can occur at any age. It has a hereditary nature. On the skin of the elbows, under the knees, on the back, under the hair of the head, red spots with peeling, rounded in shape and small in size appear.
Psoriasis is thought to be the result of autoimmune disorders in the body. His relapses are easily provoked by stress, chronic infections. The main symptom is dry spots on the skin (flaky and itchy), resembling silvery flakey scales. They tend to merge. The initial stage is plaques of 1-2 cm with a rough surface. Itching and soreness appear later.
Psoriasis is incurable. Modern drugs can only inhibit the manifestations of the disease and prolong remission. You can talk about psoriasis when dry spots appear on the skin (flaky and itchy).
Contact dermatitis
It is a complication of an allergic reaction and at the beginning of its development manifests itself in an adult with dry spots on the skin (flaky and have a red or pink color). Their size is no more than a coin. Itching may be of varying intensity, accompanied by swelling, redness, vesicles, blisters, and small red dots. May occur on any area of ​​the skin that has been in contact with the allergen.
Versicolor
Lichen is characterized by the appearance of dry flaky spots on the skin. Its cause is a fungus that is very difficult to treat. Lichens often become chronic and last for years, despite treatment.
Multi-colored lichen gives a rash in the form of brown spots of irregular shape, they do not rise above the level of the skin. Less often, spots can be flesh or pink.
The disease causes aesthetic inconvenience, located most often on the chest, neck, back, shoulders, stomach. The skin peels off when scratching, the plaques are small in size (about 2 cm in diameter).
Rashes tend to merge. As the disease progresses, the rash usually goes to the inguinal region. Relapses are provoked by a decrease in immunity, for example, during pregnancy, insolation, after a viral infection, hypothermia, etc.
Pink lichen
Another fungal dermatosis, which experts call a "sensor" of reduced immunity. It is also called flaky roseola.
In 80% of cases - a seasonal disease. Exacerbations are characteristic for spring and autumn. It appears in the form of one or more round dry spots on the skin of pink or light red color. Localization - face, neck, chest, abdomen, back, less often legs. The spots peel off and itch a little.
Eczema
Frequently occurring pathology, acute or chronic, non-contagious. The etiology is neuro-allergic. Usually a consequence of allergic reactions, followed by inflammation, a variety of rashes, itching and relapses.
The initial stage of eczema is characterized by dry spots, later they are replaced by other forms - vesicles, blisters, weeping, crusts and scales. In all forms, severe itching of the skin is present. Eczema always goes into a chronic form.
Vegetative disorders
These are red spots caused by stress, poor nutrition, or overwork. Each such dry spot on the skin peels and itches.
Photodermatosis
The pathological condition of the skin that may occur after taking certain drugs due to exposure to the sun. This is a specific skin reaction to UV. At the same time, a small rash appears in the form of red spots in open areas of the body, especially on the face (the skin may swell and itch), then the rash changes color to a darker one.
Autoimmune diseases
With this pathology, the vessels and connective tissue are affected against the background of the autoimmune process. At the same time, red spots on the face in the form of a butterfly on the cheeks, which are peeling, are characteristic.
The disease is systemic, with it immunity becomes a fighter against its own cells, considering them foreign and starting to develop antibodies against them. Rashes also occur on the ears, head, and neck. Spots are replaced by scars, which are almost not treatable.
Anxiety symptoms
Urgent medical attention is required in the following cases:
- a flaky spot on the skin begins to grow rapidly in size;
- the skin first itches and then peels off;
- the spots periodically disappear and reappear in the same places;
- peeling lasts more than a month;
- spots appear on those who have contacted their owner;
- the skin is cracking, and weeping wounds appear on it;
- pain and bleeding in the area of ​​rashes;
- ulceration of spots, the addition of maceration.
Especially vigilant to be elderly, because senile skin is most prone to degeneration.
Diagnostic measures
For diagnosis, carry out:
- laboratory examinations:
- examination by a dermatologist;
- blood biochemistry and its general analysis;
- checking for allergic reactions;
- analysis of urine and feces;
- laboratory examination of scrapings of the skin and smears;
- sowing on the flora.
If dry spots on the skin peel off, the diagnosis also includes dermatoscopy - the assessment of rashes with a special device - a dermatoscope. The device consists of a magnifier of huge magnification.
For scraping analysis, skin particles are examined under a microscope to detect parasites. A blood test will reveal the presence of inflammation in the body.
Stain treatment
If dry spots on the skin peel off, the treatment depends on the causes of their appearance.
Pityriasis versicolor is treated, for example, with Clotrimazole, wiping lesions with boric alcohol, shampoos (Nizoral, Dermazole, Sebozol), Fluconazole in capsules for internal use.
Also, with color depriving, the doctor can prescribe a UFO with a course of 5-7 sessions. This helps a lot with residual pigmentation in the affected areas of the skin.
Baths based on Dead Sea salts, treatment at sea resorts (especially during periods of exacerbation) perfectly act on psoriasis and eczema.
With the allergic nature of the spots, antihistamines are indicated - local and general. They are needed to desensitize the body. Most often, this is Claritin or Diazolin, Suprastin, Erius, Zodak, etc. Local treatment with ointments (Fenistil, Gistan) is also indicated, which must be applied to the affected skin for 10 days.
If we are talking only about dry skin, keratosis can be softened and soaked with creams and ointments with a stimulating regenerative effect, such as Bepanten, Elidela, Panthenol. They perfectly moisturize the skin, prevent cracks and restore the epidermis.
The skin is very moisturized when using creams with urea. In severe skin forms of eczema, hormonal ointments from a series of glucocorticosteroids are used - prednisone and hydrocortisone ointment, Sinaflan, Fluorocort, etc.
Fungal diseases are treated with antimycotics orally and topically - “Clotrimazole”, “Fundizol”, “Exoderil”, “Terbizil”, etc.
Prevention
Prevention is to exclude provoking factors and moments. Patients with dermatological problems should:
- eat properly;
- avoid stress;
- pay attention to the fullness of sleep;
- exclude contact with allergens;
- work with household chemicals only using protective equipment in the form of a mask, glasses and gloves;
- in summer, prevent direct sunlight from reaching the decollete, neck, face;
- use wide-brimmed hats and sunscreens.
Diseases of the internal organs should be treated on time. In case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is useful to conduct a course of cleansing and detox therapy, review your diet and balance it. With helminthiases, it is necessary to conduct active anthelmintic therapy.
You should stop smoking - nicotine and its tar actively dry the skin. We should not forget about maintaining immunity at the proper level. In addition, it is necessary to take immunomodulators prescribed by the doctor, vitamins and minerals.