Since I was born, I have had dry skin. I'm a 17 year old male. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthiritus at the age of 15. I am on medication called methotrexate and humira injection.

I live a normal teenage lifestyle. I play lots of sport and have a good social life. I have always been self-conscious of my skin, but the last year has been very tough as it makes me very depressed. I constantly look to see how dry my skin is, I stay awake late at night thinking about it and my confidence has gone way down. Whenever I asked my doctor or dermatologist about my dry skin, they don't suggest anything but moisturising.

I have always moisturised my skin. I have been trying to research online. I came across the genetic disorder: lamellar ichythosis. I want to find out if this is the reason behind my skin. These are all the things I have wrong with me and possible symptoms...

-Dry,scaly, tight skin all over body
-Extremely wrinkled hands
-Extremely hard dry feet
-Dry scalp
-Stiff hands
-Poor circulation to feet and hands in cold weather.
-Overheating (when exercising I get an extremely red face) also at random times during day my face goes bright red
-Skin falling off when rubbed against. Also dead skin on bed sheet when I wake up. Dead skin on clothing that is in contact with skin.
-Getting loads of grey hairs which I pluck out.
-Skin very pale without moisturiser.
-I often get stuffy/runny nose.
-Skin is better in summer, but still very dry.
-I have always gotten very run down at times and get lots of cold sores.

May I also add that I have two brothers and two sisters. One of my brothers and one of my sisters have the exact same skin as me. The other brother and sister have normal skin.

I always thought that I could get over the arthiritus, but I just cannot come to the same terms with my skin. It really effects me! I just want to have a solid answer as to why my skin is like this so I can get motivated to making it better. Thanks!