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How Can Flaky Dry Patches On The Legs Be Treated?
I have small circular red with white flacky patches on my legs. i figured it was dry skin, but its been some time and they've started multiply going up my legs. They start off real small at first than gradually get bigger and more of these flacky dry red patches moving up my legs. what could these mean?
Thu, 9 Apr 2015
Hello. thank you for writing to us
Dry, red, scaly patches on legs suggest an eczematous skin condition. Psoriasis and discoid dermatitis are the most likely possibilities.
Psoriatic involvement commonly presents as scaly, red patches on shins.
Other body sites like scalp, elbows may also be involved with similar patches in psoriasis and are a clue to diagnosis.
Discoid eczema/ dermatitis can also present as an itchy, scaly coin sized patches on legs, more common in those who have underlying dry skin and atopic diathesis.
If I was the treating doctor I would have asked you to use a moisturizer twice daily.
A potent topical steroid e.g clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream Or halobetasol propionate 0.05% cream can be used specifically for the patches, over and above the moisturizer.
These are prescription steroids therefore I suggest that you visit a dermatologist in your region for a confirmatory diagnosis as well as for the needful.
An OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily will provide you symptomatic relief from itching.
Regards
Dry, red, scaly patches on legs suggest an eczematous skin condition. Psoriasis and discoid dermatitis are the most likely possibilities.
Psoriatic involvement commonly presents as scaly, red patches on shins.
Other body sites like scalp, elbows may also be involved with similar patches in psoriasis and are a clue to diagnosis.
Discoid eczema/ dermatitis can also present as an itchy, scaly coin sized patches on legs, more common in those who have underlying dry skin and atopic diathesis.
If I was the treating doctor I would have asked you to use a moisturizer twice daily.
A potent topical steroid e.g clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream Or halobetasol propionate 0.05% cream can be used specifically for the patches, over and above the moisturizer.
These are prescription steroids therefore I suggest that you visit a dermatologist in your region for a confirmatory diagnosis as well as for the needful.
An OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily will provide you symptomatic relief from itching.
Regards
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