Xeroderma

Xeroderma is a skin condition characterized by excessively dry skin. The synonyms xerosis and xerosis cutis are sometimes used in a medical context. Colloquially, xeroderma may be referred to as dry skin or as ashiness or ashy skin when present in dark skin. Xeroderma derives from Greekξηρός (xeros)'dry' and δέρμα (derma)'skin'.

In most cases, xeroderma can safely be treated with moisturizers (also called emollients). Xeroderma occurs most commonly on the scalp, lower legs, arms, hands, knuckles, the sides of the abdomen, and thighs. Symptoms most associated with xeroderma are such skin conditions as scaling (the visible peeling of the outer skin layer), itching, and skin fissures (cracked skin).