Seborrheic eczema is a skin disease with dry, cracked and flaky skin as the main clinical manifestation due to loss of moisture on the skin surface and reduced sebum secretion due to various reasons. Winter itching, dry skin, dry eczema and chapped eczema all belong to the lack of lipid eczema. The disease is most common in winter and is prone to occur in the elderly and those who take excessive baths, and is more frequent on the lower legs and elbows. Etiology Lack of lipid eczema is mainly related to the loss of skin moisture, sebum secretion reduction or malfunction, commonly seen in patients with ichthyosis or the elderly. Excessive bathing, or the use of strong alkaline soap, cleanser or bathing water temperature is too high, can also cause artificial skin sebum removal, leading to seborrheic eczema. Lack of sebaceous eczema due to reduced sebaceous gland function is a slow onset, usually starting to itch after bathing around the age of 50 and gradually increasing with age. Those caused by excessive washing or the use of degreasing agents tend to have an acute onset and are actually irritant contact dermatitis. It is also common in patients with tumors, those using diuretics, type II histamine blockers, and those with HIV infection. Symptoms Symptoms of lipid-lacking eczema include red, dry, itchy, and peeling skin. This eczema may appear as tiny cracks resembling broken porcelain (see illustration), especially on the anterior shins of the lower legs bilaterally, and often has a pinprick itch, ant-like sensation, and scratching and bleeding due to scratching. Treatment and prevention Treatment with emollients, such as white petroleum jelly, vitamin E cream, urea and moisturizing medical skin care products. Available once or twice a day, use emollient oils immediately after bathing to retain the moisture within the skin from evaporating. Since the skin barrier function has been significantly damaged, it is best not to use topical corticosteroid preparations alone, and antihistamines may be considered for those with significant itching. Skin experts remind that dry weather in winter, sebaceous glands shrink, bathing too often will make the skin more dry. The general public should appropriately reduce the number of baths and avoid excessive hot water scalding to avoid suffering from lack of lipid eczema.