What causes red dry skin patches on my legs?

Hello,

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I saw your clinical pictures (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity); it is not an infection and is not contagious. This condition is called psoriasis. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that presents as white scaly lesions with redness usually seen on the outer aspect of legs, elbows, scalp, and back. This condition can be well controlled with medications, but it is difficult to cure it completely. There will be exacerbations during winters, where you will notice new spots, increased scaling or spreading of redness. It will help if you avoid trauma because there are high chances of getting new spots at the trauma site after it heals. Stress also has a strong role in psoriasis. Smoking and alcohol should be kept to a minimum. The treatment depends on the extent of body surface area involvement. Since I have seen the psoriasis lesions only on your legs, I am suggesting only topical medications. Moisturizer in an ointment form and apply to the whole leg in the morning soon after the bath; an ointment is better than cream or lotion. It is important to keep the skin moisturized because of psoriasis makes the skin dry. Clobetasol and Salicylic acid ointment or cream must be applied only to the affected areas over the leg at night. Apply a very thin layer, ensuring you do not touch the normal skin. Use this for two weeks. Take a bath with a moisturizing soap. I hope this is helpful to you. Thank you.