Dry Skin and Itching

[KellyB]

Description

As you age, your skin produces less of the natural oil that helps it retain its moisture. Dry indoor air can cause your skin to become dry, as can excessive bathing in hot water.

Prevention

The following information may help you to prevent dry skin and itching:

• Avoid showers. They strip the natural oil that helps the skin hold in moisture. Baths are much kinder to the skin than showers are.
• Use bath oils in the tub. (Be careful, because bath oil will make the tub slippery.)
• Use mild soaps, such as Dove or Cetaphil.
• Use a moisturizing lotion immediately after your bath.

Home Treatment
In addition to the prevention guidelines, the following home treatment suggestions may help make you comfortable if you have dry skin.

• For very dry hands, try this for a night: Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and wear thin cotton gloves to bed. (Dry feet may benefit from similar treatment.)
• If dry, brittle nails are a problem, use lotion on your nails as well.

Avoid scratching, which damages the skin. If itching is a problem, try the following:

• Keep the itchy area well moisturized. Dry skin may make itching worse.
• Try an oatmeal bath to help relieve itching.
  Wrap 1 cup of oatmeal in a cotton cloth and boil as you would to cook it. Use this as a sponge and bathe in cool water without soap.
• You may also try a commercial product, such as Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal bath.

[*]Try a nonprescription 1% hydrocortisone cream for small itchy areas.

• 
  Use the cream very sparingly on the face or genitals.
• If itching is severe, your health professional may prescribe a stronger cream.

[*]Use a nonprescription antihistamine medication, such as chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
[*]Cut your nails short or wear gloves at night to prevent scratching.
[*]Wear cotton or silk clothing. Avoid wearing wool and acrylic fabrics next to your skin.
When to Call a Health Professional
Call your health professional if any of the following symptoms are present:

• You itch all over your body but there is no obvious cause or rash.
• Itching is so bad that you cannot sleep and home treatment is not helping.
• Your skin is badly broken from scratching.
• Signs of infection develop, including:
  Increased pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness.
• Red streaks extending from the area.
• Discharge of pus.
• Fever of 100° (37.8°) or higher with no other cause.
• Swollen lymph nodes near the infected wound or in the neck, armpits, or groin

health.yahoo.com

 

[Kathy]

Thanks for posting Kelly!

 

[acneXpert]

Another treatment I found on the net:

Dry skin, especially in winter, needs a middle of the day pick-me-up. Here's a tip to revitalize and rejuvenate the skin so that it keeps skin glowing and youthful. What's needed is a fast-absorbing face oil serum or elixir. Apply approximately three to five drops in palm of hand. Bring both palms together, and gently rub so that it transfers over on to clean hand. Next, starting at forhead, pat hands on the face. Yes, over the makeup. Don't rub, just pat lightly. Your makeup shouldn't be disturbed. Continue patting down on equal sides of face until you reach the chin area. Skin will get stimulated and reflect a refreshed radiance. Also, Darphin's citrus-fresh scent soothes the senses. You might like to be selective in your scent choices to reap a double-end benefit as well!

 

[AngelaGM]

Thanks for posting!

 

[audrey]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Solimar]

Kelly, thank you! I have had some serious itching skin for the past few months...it is so painful. BUT...I spoke to someone, and apparently tea tree oil is not only good for acne, but for severe itching as well...

 

[Aprill]

Thanks for posting Kelly!!!

 

[andrrea]

Thanks for posting this!! My skin has been seriously itchy this winter..