What is the Cause of Scaly/Flaky Skin?

What Causes Scaly/Flaky Skin?

Scaly/flaky skin can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose scaly/flaky skin, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "scaly/flaky skin" as a symptom. For example, hypothyroidism.

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

short-term memory failure

yellow/yellowish fingernails

hyperthyroidism in family members

major swelling at front of neck

brittle fingernails

moderate unexplained weight gain

mildly elevated TSH

fatigue for over 3 months

having low-normal TT4 level

much reduced sense of smell

T3-only thyroid hormone use

elevated basophil count

... and more than 30 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of scaly/flaky skin.

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Skin-Related Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about non-scalp scaly/flaky skin:

Is your skin scaly or flaky in areas other than the top of your head (scalp)?

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ Definitely not
→ Yes, somewhat
→ Yes, significantly

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either not having scaly/flaky skin or having non-scalp scaly/flaky skin, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can manifest as dry and/or scaly/flaky skin.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™