Asteatotic eczema is a form of eczema that develops when your skin becomes extremely dry.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, eczema (sometimes called atopic dermatitis) affects roughly 7.3% of adults in the United States.
There are several different types of eczema, each with differing:
- symptoms
- triggers
- treatments
Let’s explore everything you need to know about asteatotic eczema, including symptoms, treatment, and outlook.
Asteatotic eczema, also known as eczema craquelé or xerotic eczema, is a type of eczema triggered by dry skin. The first signs of dry skin, or xerosis, may include skin that is:
- scaly
- cracked
- red
- inflamed
Over time, as your epidermis (the top level of the skin) continues to lose water, asteatotic eczema can develop. This water loss leads to the development of “fissures” in your skin, which appear as red, patterned lines. Some medical professionals may refer to this as a “dried riverbed” appearance.
Asteatotic eczema can appear anywhere on the body, but the most common locations are on your:
- arms
- legs
- torso
It may also appear on smaller patches of skin, such as on your:
- ears
- fingers
- toes
People can develop asteatotic eczema from:
- environmental causes
- underlying conditions
- nutrient deficiencies
- certain medications
These are discussed in more detail below.
Environmental causes
Cold weather and dry atmospheres can lead to a decrease in humidity and an increase in dry skin and the risk of asteatotic eczema. In addition, soaps, detergents, and other harsh products that dry out your skin can increase the risk of developing asteatotic eczema.
Underlying conditions
Certain health conditions have been linked to asteatotic eczema, including:
Asteatotic eczema may develop as a rare side effect of these conditions or as a result of untreated dry skin caused by these conditions.
Nutrient deficiencies
Dietary imbalances, malabsorption, and other underlying gastrointestinal conditions can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
For asteatotic eczema specifically, zinc and essential fatty acid deficiencies
Medications
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), certain medications, such as statins and diuretics, can cause dry skin. If left untreated, this dry skin may develop into asteatotic eczema.
Other drugs that may lead to asteatotic eczema
- certain chemotherapy medications
- oral retinoids
- epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors
Although there are many potential causes of asteatotic eczema, certain risk factors make this condition more likely to develop.
Age
Some kin conditions become more common as we age due to underlying changes in the integrity of the skin cells. Older adults who have dry skin are more at risk of developing asteatotic eczema, according to a
Dry skin
Dry skin can appear at any age and is often caused by environmental factors, such as cold weather or frequent bathing. People with dry skin caused by these factors may develop asteatotic eczema.
Lower humidity
Low levels of humidity occur when the weather is cold, dry, or both. Over time, low humidity levels can cause dry skin, which may become asteatotic eczema if not treated.
Frequent bathing
While bathing helps restore moisture to your skin, doing it too often can produce the opposite effect — especially if the water is extremely hot.
Harsh chemicals
Many of the bath and shower products on the market contain chemicals and fragrances that can cause dry skin. These harsh chemicals increase the risk of asteatotic eczema if they dry out your skin too much.
Symptoms of asteatotic eczema generally start with the classic symptoms of dry skin. When your skin is dry, you may notice that it is:
- white, in lighter skin tones
- brown or gray, in darker skin tones
- flaky
- tight
- itchy
- scaly
- cracked
- inflamed
As asteatotic eczema develops, your skin may begin to look as if it’s been marked or scratched. Thin, red lines called fissures can appear on the skin in a geometric-like pattern. These fissures often surround large, dry patches of skin.
Without treatment, asteatotic eczema can cause your skin to become swollen and inflamed. Untreated asteatotic eczema can also lead to a condition called nummular dermatitis, which is characterized by coin-shaped skin lesions.
Here are some examples of asteatotic eczema.
Tips for dealing with asteatotic eczema
If you’ve received an asteatotic eczema diagnosis, here are some tips that may help reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups:
- Reduce how often you bathe: This can prevent your skin from drying out. When you take a bath or shower, avoid using hot water.
- Don’t use products with harsh ingredients: These ingredients can cause your skin to dry out and trigger a flare-up. Consider searching for more gentle options.
- Use moisturizing creams or ointments throughout the day: This can help restore moisture to your skin barrier and soothe inflammation. Look for thicker moisturizers with emollients.
- Apply sealants after using lotion: These ointments can help lock moisture into your skin. This only needs to be done for the first few days of a flare-up.
- Consider adding a humidifier: This can increase the moisture in the atmosphere, which helps to increase the moisture in your skin.
Like many other types of eczema, asteatotic eczema is treated with topical and oral medications, and lifestyle changes.
Generally, treatment for eczema begins with daily use of moisturizers and other emollient-containing products. This helps restore moisture to your skin barrier and reduce inflammation and other symptoms.
Medicated ointments and creams can also help speed up recovery during a flare-up. Topical treatment options for asteatotic eczema may include:
- Corticosteroids: Topical steroids are often the first treatment prescribed for atopic dermatitis.
- Calcineurin inhibitors: Calcineurin inhibitors help reduce inflammation and are often prescribed with corticosteroids. Pimecrolimus and tacrolimus are two commonly prescribed calcineurin inhibitors.
- Lipids drugs: Lipids play an important role in maintaining the protective barrier of the skin.
Research from 2019 showed that topical application of lipid drugs was effective at treating asteatotic eczema and other dry skin conditions.
In some cases, oral antihistamines can help prevent the itching associated with an asteatotic eczema flare-up.
For more severe asteatotic eczema, stronger medications may be prescribed, such as oral steroids or other anti-inflammatory medications. However, these are prescribed only in rare cases for asteatotic eczema.
When to seek emergency care for asteatotic eczema
Asteatotic eczema is rarely dangerous. However, when eczema causes cracks or breaks in the skin, bacteria and other infectious organisms can easily enter. Infected eczema develops when these harmful organisms lead to an infection in the skin.
If you’re exhibiting symptoms of infected eczema, you should seek medical treatment right away, especially if you have:
- redness
- pain
- pus
- open sores
- fever
In some cases, asteatotic eczema can be prevented with several lifestyle changes.
If you live in an area that’s frequently cold or dry, make sure to keep your skin moisturized year-round and consider getting a humidifier.
If you take frequent baths or showers, consider bathing less, turning down the heat, and using natural skin care products that do not contain allergens or irritants instead.
If you’re at risk of developing asteatotic eczema as a symptom of another condition or as a side effect of a medication, speak with your doctor about how to prevent flare-ups.
Here are some home remedies that may help reduce the symptoms and severity of an asteatotic eczema flare-up at home:
- Oatmeal: Colloidal oatmeal is beneficial for a variety of skin conditions, including xerosis and atopic dermatitis. It can be used in the bath to create a soothing mixture for inflamed skin.
- Plant oils: One 2022 review of studies on the use of vegetable oils and butters showed that sunflower oil, coconut oil and others may be beneficial for people with eczema and other skin conditions, though more research into their effectiveness is needed.
- Botanicals: Herbal preparations and essential oils have been used for thousands of years as alternative medicine. Some people report that certain essential oils, such as tea tree and calendula, may help reduce the symptoms of severe eczema. However, herbal preparations and essential oils can be common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Always speak with a healthcare professional before using them.
Reach out to a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist, for more suggestions on easing your asteatotic eczema symptoms at home.
Asteatotic eczema generally responds well to treatment and tends to resolve in a matter of days or weeks, depending on severity and treatment.
For asteatotic eczema caused by other underlying conditions, those conditions may need to be treated before treatment for the asteatotic eczema becomes effective.
For asteatotic eczema caused by medications, your doctor may want to discontinue or change these medications to treat the eczema.
Although asteatotic eczema isn’t permanent, it can persist and recur unless special care is taken to reduce the underlying triggers.
Asteatotic eczema develops from dry skin, most commonly as a result of environmental factors.
This type of eczema is characterized by dry, itchy skin that develops into scaly patches surrounded by thin, red fissures.
Treatment for asteatotic eczema is very similar to standard treatments for eczema and includes topical medications and lifestyle changes.
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of asteatotic eczema, schedule a visit with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.