Dove soap, per my dermatologist.

For general use, I use Gold Bond ultimate healing lotion.

When I see spots break out, they get hit with Triamcinolone Acetonide cream (0.1%) twice a day (Rx only).

We also have a whole-house humidifier and individual cool mist humidifiers to add individual room humidity when needed.

I see I'm not alone in my misery! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I found a bottle of the CeraVe at Wal Mart. Several different kinds to choose from. The one I chose was Eczema creamy oil. Even though I don't think my condition is Eczema. The other one was for dry skin, insect bites and sunburn so I didn't think that's what I wanted even though my legs can feel like a thousand tiny bee stings have erupted upon me.

We do humidify at the house but that has never seemed to matter. I love a hot shower but try to keep it a little less hot during these times. I refuse to stop using our hot tub but as soon as I get out of one or the other I apply whatever my current lotion or cream remedy is at the time.

I'm not thinking this CeraVe is going to be the cure but I'm hoping it at least gives me more relief than the others. At $14 for a 8 ounce tube I sure hope so!

I asked my dermatologist. He gave me a small sample size bottle of Aveeno lotion and said that was as good as anything.

Unfortunately, the itchy spot that drives me nuts is in the middle of my back where I can't reach it to apply the lotion.

Happens to me on my upper cheeks. No issues with a sun tan. Tan fades and weather gets cold I get the dry flaky skin.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
I asked my dermatologist. He gave me a small sample size bottle of Aveeno lotion and said that was as good as anything.

Unfortunately, the itchy spot that drives me nuts is in the middle of my back where I can't reach it to apply the lotion.

Don't you love that!?!? I have eruptions. Last night it was a spot right on the top of my foot by the ankle so I kept rubbing it with the heel of my other foot until both were raw. Then I get the spot on the lower shoulder or middle of my back both in juuuusst unreachable places. I've been known to get up in the middle of the night and rub my back against a corner of the wall!

Often times it's in multiple places. That's when the fun really starts. I just go downstairs to the couch so the wife can sleep.

Vaseline is the best but it feels disgusting.

My knuckles always get so dry that they crack and bleed in the winter.

This stuff is like magic:



You just use a tiny bit and it rubs right in and does a startlingly good job.

If you use more than a tiny bit, it leaves an unpleasant waxy film on your skin and doesn't do a better job of keeping your skin from drying out.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
I love a hot shower but try to keep it a little less hot during these times.

If you're having dry skin problems to the degree you suggest, "a little less hot" might be insufficient. I used to love hot showers, too, but, during a bout of eczema several years ago my dermatologist told me my showers needed to be no more than lukewarm.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
I refuse to stop using our hot tub but ...

I'm reminded of the old "Doctor, it hurts when I do <this>..." joke.

If your hot tub is like the average hot tub, i.e.: A stew of chemicals, then it's likely one of your main culprits, if not the main culprit. It may help to rinse off thoroughly under a warm shower immediately upon exiting the hot tub, dry thoroughly, and apply a moisturizer.

Personally, I'd lose the hot tub, but it's your skin.

It might also pay to experiment with the winter temperature setting in the home. Cooler air holds less actual humidity. Conversely: There's only so much humidity you can pump into a heated home before the excess simply condenses on colder, outside-facing surfaces, possibly leading to damage. (Ask me how I know this.) Generally, the warning sign that you've hit the limit is when moisture starts forming on the perimeters of windows. (Assuming you have fairly modern, decent double-pane windows, that is.)

Btw: Skin problems like you're describing can lead to more than simply discomfort. There are diseases of the skin that an intact epidermis will usually shrug off. But when your epidermis is damaged they can get past that defense and wreak havoc. A close friend of mine learned that the hard way--spending a week in the hospital, the first couple days in the ICU. It attacked fast, in less than twelve hours. He was this >< close to losing his life.

Absolutely best thing you can do? Drink more water.

I started a year ago upping my intake, I was one who hated water honestly. I now drink a min 64 oz water only. I don't count coffee, or any other item.

Topical treatments can't make up for being dehydrated.

Drier air dries you out quicker in winter, I will up my intake to 80-100 oz in winter.

Makes huge difference!

quote:

Originally posted by Houston1944:
O'Keeffe's Skin Repair Body Lotion works for my old skin. I put it on legs and stomach after each shower. I still use O'Keeffe's Working Hands for fingers and hands, nothing else I have ever used came close to O'Keeffe's.

I like O'Keefe's, also.

I have this itching dry crusty skin problem from the cancer treatment.

I have tried all the lotions out there and none are perfect.
I have tried the CeraVe and a bunch of others.

The best I have found so far is Aveeno Baby Eczema.
But again, nothing is perfect.

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
Absolutely best thing you can do? Drink more water.

I started a year ago upping my intake, I was one who hated water honestly. I now drink a min 64 oz water only. I don't count coffee, or any other item.

Topical treatments can't make up for being dehydrated.

Drier air dries you out quicker in winter, I will up my intake to 80-100 oz in winter.

Makes huge difference!

This, absolutely! The thing is you have to do it every day to stay hydrated, you can't just drink a bunch of water for a day or two. Do this for 3-4 days and I bet you'll see improvement, then keep it up.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
Absolutely best thing you can do? Drink more water.

[snip]

Makes huge difference!

This, absolutely!

The science says you're both wrong. FWIW: My personal experience agrees with the science.

Btw: Contrary to popular belief: Caffeine does not dehydrate you.

Found several products that have helped over the past:
-“Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter cuticle cream“ for soothing those dry and cracked fingers.

- Don’t laugh but: Applying just a little bit of “Loreal Ever Pure” hair conditioner actually keeps my skin or feet happy.

- The longest lasting remedy: melt 50/50 coconut oil ( from the grocery store) and vaseline. Let cool. Apply to area over night. Especially the feet. And especially after a bath.

Lots of things probably can work and YMMV. Lot's of things already mentioned above.

For me, I've been doing well using Yardley oatmeal soap and Gold Bond lotion. I use vaseline on the lips when chapped. I use lotion repeatedly - once per day is not enough.

Using lower temp water when showering. And staying hydrated.

And now, collagen rich soups

I have severe eczema. As mentioned, any of the newer moisturizers with ceramides, e.g. CeraVe, are optimal.

You know somebody had to post this; might as well be me. NSFW



My lower legs itch at night over the winter. My wife had me try CeraVe. It was only somewhat helpful. My brother recommended “Vanicream.” Works very well for me.

For my often dried out hands, I have been using Glysolid cream, from Sweden. I spent a few decades as a mechanic then a yacht mechanic and repair man. Lots and lots of solvent have been on my hands. After working with boat caulking, such as 3M 5200, whatever cleaners I have used cause my hands to get super dry at night. I have had trouble sleeping some nights becuase of that.

When I started using Glysolid, I was shocked at how well it work. The skin appears to absorb the material extremely well. After application, I wake up in the morning with no sign of skin dryness.

I've been using a water softener for the past 8 years and, for me, there is a definite difference in how my skin feels especially in the winter. Using hard water, when traveling, the first couple days are fine but after about a week I can tell the difference. It's not as cheap as a tube of cream.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:

Should I see a dermatologist...

I'm intentionally taking this out of context

I'm really not trying to single out the OP


I do want to make this a PSA.... if you haven't seen a dermatologist (ever or in a while), make an appointment.

It took my wife years to talk me into seeing a dermatologist. (Not sure I had a good reason to not go... just dind't want to.) I can honestly say that in 40+ years of marriage she has never been a nag and this is one of the very few times where she was persistent.

Might have saved my life - one of my moles didn't look right and turned out to be pre cancerous.

Get checked if you haven't been. Yes, they will have suggestions for your dry skin but more importantly, may find something early and prevent bad things in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
For my often dried out hands, I have been using Glysolid cream, from Sweden. I spent a few decades as a mechanic then a yacht mechanic and repair man. Lots and lots of solvent have been on my hands. After working with boat caulking, such as 3M 5200, whatever cleaners I have used cause my hands to get super dry at night. I have had trouble sleeping some nights becuase of that.

When I started using Glysolid, I was shocked at how well it work. The skin appears to absorb the material extremely well. After application, I wake up in the morning with no sign of skin dryness.

Is this similar to using glycerin soap (ie - Neutrogena clear bars)? Complementary?