Thick and Rough Skin
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Thick scaly skin
My skin is textured and bumpy
Thick scaly skin on legs
Thick dry skin on knees
Skin is thick
Thick dry skin on heel
Raised skin bumps
Skin is rough and bumpy
Skin is thickest on the knees and elbows
Bumpy skin
Dry patches on skin not itchy
Blotchy skin
About the Symptom
It describes thickening of the skin with an exaggeration of normal skin markings also known as lichenification— usually due to chronic inflammation or repeated trauma and friction.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Fever
- Melena (black stools)
- Edema
- Jaundice
Possible Causes
Generally, Thick and rough skin can be related to:
- Lichen Simplex Chronicus
A skin condition involving chronic and itchy inflammation of the skin caused by repeated scratching and rubbing.
- Eosinophilic Fasciitis
The tissue under the skin and above the muscle is called fascia. In eosinophilic fasciitis, the fascia becomes red, swollen, and thick. The most commonly affected areas are the skin over the legs, neck, abdomen, and feet. The exact cause is unknown, but it might be due to nonspecific triggers causing an abnormal allergic or inflammatory reaction.
Edematous Sclerosis
Individuals with multiple sclerosis may experience leg swelling, referred to as edematous sclerosis. This condition arises from various factors that lead to excess water accumulation in the tissues, resulting in swollen legs and difficulty walking.
- Erythema Induratum
- Anosacral Cutaneous Amyloidosis
- Keratosis Palmoplantaris
- Clavus
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Psoriasis (Except for Pustular Psoriasis)
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Thick and rough skin may be related to these serious diseases:
- Skedosporium Disease
Scedosporiosis is a range of diseases caused by the fungus Scedosporium. These fungi can cause infection in various body organs, usually when the immune system is weakened or compromised.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have thickened skin that feels rough or scaly?
- How long have you had thick and rough skin this time?
- How has the condition of your thick and rough skin evolved?
- Have you experienced thick and rough skin before?
Reviewed By:
Sarita Nori, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Sarita Nori was drawn to dermatology because of the intersection of science and medicine that is at the heart of dermatology. She feels this is what really allows her to help her patients. “There is a lot of problem-solving in dermatology and I like that,” she explains. “It’s also a profession where you can help people quickly and really make a difference in their lives.” | Some of the typical skin problems that Dr. Nori treats include skin cancers, psoriasis, acne, eczema, rashes, and contact dermatitis. Dr Nori believes in using all possible avenues of treatment, such as biologics, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. “These medications can work superbly, and they are really life-changing for many patients.” | Dr. Nori feels it’s important for patients to have a good understanding of the disease or condition that is affecting them. “I like to educate my patients on their problem and have them really understand it so they can take the best course of action. Patients always do better when they understand their skin condition, and how to treat it.”
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Mack, G. W.; Nadel, E. R. (1996). "Body fluid balance during heat stress in humans". In Fregly, M. J.; Blatteis, C. M. (eds.). Handbook of Physiology. Section 4: Environmental Physiology. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 187–214.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537332/