Dry Skin Center - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge Dermatologist Doctors for Dry SkinType of Physician: Dermatologist What is a Dermatologist? A certification by the Board of Dermatology; practitioners treat pediatric and adult patients with disorders of the skin, mouth, hair and nails as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. They also have expertise in the care of normal skin, the prevention of skin diseases and cancers, and in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars. Specialty: Dermatology Common Name: Skin Doctor Dermatologist Doctors in Cambridge * Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Rockoff Center  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Dermatology Associates of Southern New Hampshire  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Dermatologic Surgery Department  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Dermatologic Surgery Department  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Thomas S Kupper MD  Boston Center for Ambulatory Surgery  Harvard Institutes of Medicine Dermatology  Brigham Dermatology Associates  Brigham Dermatology Associates  Brigham Dermatology Associates  Oon Tian Tan MD  A Razzaque Ahmed MD  Canton Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Brookline Village Dermatology PC  MGH Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Group  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Associates In Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Joseph C Kvedar MD  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  MGH Dermatology Surgical Unit  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Stephen O Kovacs MD  Brookline Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Dermatology Associates  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  South Shore Skin Surgeons PC  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  South Shore Skin Surgeons PC  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Richard Brown MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology Allergy & Immunology  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Associates In Dermatology  Boston Family Dermatology  Barry Paul MD  Barry Paul MD  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  The Dermatology & Laser Center  Kathleen M Greco MD  Associates of South Shore Dermatology  Associates of South Shore Dermatology  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Marilyn R Capek MD  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates Cambridge, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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Dry SkinWhat is dry skin?Dry skin is a very common skin condition characterized by abnormal or excessive dryness of skin. While dry skin tends to affect males and females equally, older individuals are typically much more prone to dry skin. The skin in elderly individuals tends to have diminishing amounts of natural skin oils and lubricants. Areas such as the arms, hands, and particularly lower legs tend to be more affected by dry skin. Dry skin is also known as xeroderma. Dry skin may be a mild, temporary condition lasting a few days to weeks. Dry skin may also become a more severe, long-term skin problem for some. Symptoms of dry skin include discomfort from skin tightness and itching. In addition, external factors such as weather can affect the severity of skin dryness. For example, cold or dry air and winter weather can worsen dry skin. Individuals whose occupations require more frequent hand-washing and sanitizing may experience dry skin more often. Dry skin may also be a side effect of some medications or a symptom from an underlying physiological disorder, like an overactive or underactive thyroid gland or Sjogren's syndrome. Skin is normally covered by sebum, which is the natural oil product of sebaceous glands. Sebum helps to prevent skin dehydration. When the skin's fatty oils are stripped away, the skin loses its protection and loses moisture more easily. As skin becomes dry, it also may become more sensitive and prone to rashes and skin breakdown. This condition is sometimes referred to as xerosis. Dry skin may be an entirely invisible skin condition, or may cause a fine dry powder-like appearance of the skin. Untreated, dry skin may become irritated and result in a red rash (xerodermatitis). Simple prevention and treatment measures are very effective in the treatment of dry skin. Basic dry skin prevention steps include avoidance of harsh soaps and chemical cleansers. Treatment generally requires more frequent and r... Recommended Reading Related to Dry SkinWhat is a skin tag?Skin tags are common, acquired, benign skin growths that look like a small piece of soft, hanging skin. Skin tags are harmless growths. Some individuals may be more prone to tags (greater than 50-100 tags) either through increased weight, in part combined with heredity, or other unknown causes. Males and females are equally prone to developing skin tags. Obesity and being moderately overweight (even temporary increases in weight) dramatically increase the chances of having skin tags. Women of normal weight with larger breasts are also more prone to developing skin tags under their breasts. Some small tags spontaneously rub or fall off painlessly and the person may not even know they had a skin tag. Most tags do not fall off on their own and persist once formed. The medical name for skin tag is acrochordon. Skin tags are bits of skin- or flesh-colored tissue that project from the surrounding skin from a small, narrow stalk. Some people ca... Other Related Dry Skin ArticlesEmergency Contact for Cambridge
Nearby Cambridge Hospitals *Cambridge Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center M I T Medical Arbour HRI Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital Somerville Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Massachusetts General Hospital Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Brigham & Women's Hospital Franciscan Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Boston Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital Tufts New England Medical Center Boston Medical Center VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Arbour Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Faulkner Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged McLean Hospital Bournewood Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital Winchester Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Milton Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Quincy Medical Center Lahey Clinic Medical Center North Shore Medical Center Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Caritas Norwood Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Salem Hospital & the Birthplace North Shore Children's Hospital Emerson Hospital Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center South Shore Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Tewksbury Hospital Beverly Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Isham Health Center Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Saints Medical Center Lowell General Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Lawrence General Hospital Baldpate Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Pembroke Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Dry Skin by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Rash
- The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
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Skin Tag
- A skin tag is a small benign growth of skin that projects from the surrounding skin. Skin tags can vary in appearance (smooth, irregular, flesh colored, dark pigment, raised). Skin tags generally do not cause symptoms unless repeatedly irritated. Treatment for skin tag varies depending on the location on the body.
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Hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain at the pituitary. Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle.
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Athlete's Foot
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a skin infection caused by the ringworm fungus. Symptoms include itching, burning, cracking, peeling, and bleeding feet. Treatment involves keeping the feet dry and clean, wearing shoes that can breathe, and using medicated powders to keep your feet dry.
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Psoriasis
- Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that may cause large plaques of red, raised skin, flakes of dry skin, and skin scales. There are several types of psoriasis, including psoriasis vulgaris, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis. Symptoms vary depending on the type of psoriasis the patient has. Treatment of psoriasis may include creams, lotions, oral medications, injections and infusions of biologics, and light therapy. There is no cure for psoriasis.
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
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Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight loss, depression, and cognitive slowing. Treatment is by medication, the use of radioactive iodine, thyroid surgery, or reducing the dose of thyroid hormone.
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Itching
- Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
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Sjogren's Syndrome
- Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease involving the abnormal production of extra antibodies that attack the glands and connective tissue. Sjögren's syndrome with gland inflammation (resulting dry eyes and mouth, etc.) that is not associated with another connective tissue disease is referred to as primary Sjögren's syndrome. Sjögren's syndrome that is also associated with a connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma, is referred to as secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Though there is no cure for Sjögren's syndrome, the symptoms may be treated by using lubricating eye ointments, drinking plenty of water, humidifying the air, and using glycerin swabs. Medications are also available to treat dry eye and dry mouth.
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Thyroid Disease
- There are many types of thyroid disease. Some occur due to the function of the thyroid itself such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc. Some causes of thyroid disease occur due to problems with the structure of the thyroid gland such as goiters, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Treatment of thyroid disease depends on the cause of the disease.
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Rash
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