Eczema vs dry skin

Dry skin and eczema are common skin conditions which can be relieved with good skin care practices. Discover how to tell if you have dry skin or eczema to adopt the right skincare routine. Learn how to identify the symptoms of each condition and how to find your skin soft and hydrated again.

Dry skin and eczema both lead to itchiness and redness. Even though their symptoms overlapped, dry skin and eczema are two distinct skin conditions.

What are the same symptoms between eczema and dry skin?

Eczema and dry skin have similar symptoms, the latter include:

Scaly, crusty skin

Discolored skin

Itchy skin

Redness

What are the differences between dry skin and eczema?

Because eczema and dry skin share the same symptoms, it can be difficult to tell them apart but there are some notable differences between the two.

Dry skin is a common skin condition which develops when the skin is dehydrated.

The skin becomes dry when it can no longer retain an optimum level of moisture. This is caused by a lack of sebum and natural oil production. There are several possible reasons for dry skin, but the main cause leads to external aggressors like pollution, harsh products, or extreme weather which attack the skin's natural barrier. As the skin is weakened, it cannot protect itself and it starts to suffer from dehydration.
Therefore, the skin becomes dry, flaking, chapping, or cracked.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, sometimes called atopic dermatitis. There are seven different types of eczema.

Contrary to dry skin, in the case of eczema, the skin is dry by nature. Even if it is not exposed to harsh products or external attacks, the skin barrier does not work properly and lets the skin dry out. The main causes of eczema include genetic factors and environmental triggers.
Therefore, allowing irritant or allergenic substances in our environment (house dust mite, pollen, unsuitable washing powders, etc.) can penetrate the skin and cause intense inflammation.

Dry skin is a very common condition affecting people of all ages, whereas eczema is more limited and only affects 12% of children and 7% of adults in the US (data from Prevalence of Atopic Eczema Among Patients Seen in Primary Care: Data From The Health Improvement Network). Eczema is more likely to develop in people with asthma or allergies, and it tends to run in families. It often appears in babies and children, but it can also concern adults.

As we have seen, eczema and dry skin share common symptoms, but some symptoms only develop in either one.

Dry skin occurs on the face or the body and gives you a sensation of tightness and roughness to the touch. The symptoms of dry skin include:

Tightness

Roughness

Flakiness

Cracking or peeling

Redness

For eczema, the symptoms depend on which type of eczema you are experiencing. Eczema can appear anywhere on the body, but the most common places where you will notice symptoms are on your hands, neck, elbows, ankles, knees, feet, face, in and around ears or lips. “If your hands are extremely dry and painful, and using moisturizer throughout the day is not helping to relieve the, you may have eczema” explained Dr Davis in a study published in the American Academy of Dermatology Association on How to tell the difference between dry hands and hand eczema. “Hand eczema is one of the most common forms of eczema, causing dry, itchy and irritated skin”.

Unlike dry skin, eczema can cause the following symptoms:

Patches of red, dark brown, purple or gray

Burning sensations

Bumpy skin with itchy blisters that ooze fluid and then form a crust

Crusts, pus and pain

Deep painful cracks

Bleeding or weeping skin

Thickness

The itching is much more pronounced in atopic eczema-prone skin.

Can dry skin turn into eczema?

Dry skin is a well-known trigger for eczema as we can read on the National Eczema Association but having dry skin does not mean you will surely have eczema.

As we explained in this article, eczema mostly comes from genetic factors and environmental triggers. It is one possible cause of dry skin.

Skin care options for dry skin VS eczema

Adopting a new skincare routine and preventing known triggers may be enough to take care of dry skin and it is also helpful for dryness related to eczema.

The major step to take care of dry skin is to moisturize it daily. Alway remember that hydration goes through moisturizing your skin but also drinking water to hydrate your whole body. Avoid known triggers and use gentle skincare to reduce dry skin symptoms. Consider investing in a humidifier for your home as well to have a good level of moisture in the air. Find out more on how to take care of your skin and prevent dryness in our Bioderma experts’ article. A special range of Bioderma products can be found to help you adopt the best skin care routine for your dry skin.

There is no cure for eczema, but there are effective medical treatments to help you manage and limit the symptoms. Identify your triggers to prevent flare-ups and opt for medications which can help reduce inflammation. Find the right care to treat and prevent eczema in our dedicated article. Many medications are available to help deal with your symptoms and a dedicated range of Bioderma’s products are particularly recommended to bring back a sensation of comfort to your skin.

When to talk to your doctor?

It is recommended to see a doctor whenever your symptoms worsen and none of the home remedies help relieve your skin condition. Seeing a dermatologist will allow you to better understand the causes of your dry skin or eczema, and control flare-ups. Dry skin heals most of the time thanks to moisturizers and skin cares mentioned above.

Eczema and dry skin are two different conditions; eczema may be one of the most common causes of dryness. However, dry skin does not necessarily mean eczema. Both conditions require moisturizing the skin daily, but eczema often needs medical treatment to relieve it.