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Pol J Cosmetol 2013, 16(3): 179-185pl  Hypothyroidism as a cause of dry skinBatochir Delgermurun, Mariusz Klencki Zakład Morfometrii Gruczołów Dokrewnych, I Katedra Endokrynologii, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi Summary Dry skin is a frequent dermatological disorder in general population. In clinical picture it is characterized by roughness, increased epidermal desquamation, and often itchy skin. This disorder is associated with abnormal skin barrier function due to disturbance in the composition of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) and intercellular lipids, increased transepidermal escape of water from the skin (TEWL), and the disorder of keratinocyte differentiation processes. Dry skin occurs also in healthy people exposed to a combination of factors that play a role in its pathogenesis. Increased dryness of the skin is also present in the course of certain skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, or keratosis pilaris. Also some systemic diseases like hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus can cause skin reactions in the form of dryness, roughness and scaling of the skin and its proneness to irritation. Deficiency or absence of thyroid hormone leads to a generalized slowing of metabolism. Following this process, the increased degradation of glycosaminoglycans occurs, particularly of hyaluronic acid, in all tissues of the body, including skin. In dry skin, due to the complexity of the causes of its formation, the careful selection of skin care products is essential. Treatment and care of dry skin should aim to restore the physiological skin barrier, providing substances that facilitate the production of NMF components, epidermal lipids, as well as improvement in the cell differentiation. Key words: hypothyroidism, dry skin, stratum corneum, ceramide, hyaluronic acid |