When your skin lacks moisture it tends to be itchy and flaky. It may look red, rough, and scaly and, in severe cases, become cracked and inflamed. You are most likely to develop dry skin on your lower legs, arms, and the backs of your hands because these areas produce less of the natural oils that seal moisture into the skin. Your skin also becomes drier as you get older and during the menopause. You may develop sore, rough, chapped skin on your face in dry, cold weather, or if your face gets wet repeatedly and is not dried properly.NATURAL REMEDIES
Oatmeal bath oil is soothing and moisturizing for dry, itchy skin. Add it to a warm bath and soak for 10-20 minutes.
Seek medical advice if:
* You still have dry, chapped skin after trying the measures described above
* Your skin becomes inflamed and bleeds
What you can do yourself
There are plenty of easy-to-use remedies that reduce the discomfort of dry, itchy skin and improve its appearance. Use the following measure.
* Have baths rather than showers (which tend to strip oils from the skin) no more than once a day in warm, rather than hot, water. Don’t use perfumed or medicated bath products or soaps.
* Use moisturizing cream or ointment instead of soap or add an emollient bath additive to your bath (see DRUG REMEDIES).
* After your bath, apply a moisturizing cream (see DRUG REMEDIES). Reapply it frequently to exposed areas such as your hands and face, especially after washing or if you are outdoors for long periods in cold weather. Keep tubes of cream around the house and at work to use during the day.
* Alternatively, use a bath oil containing oatmeal (see NATURAL REMEDIES).
PREVENTION
Preventing dryness if your skin tends to get dry or chapped, try the following measures.
* Don’t overheat your home. In centrally heated rooms keep the air moist by fitting humidifying devices to radiators, or put bowls of water near them.
* Wear rubber gloves for household cleaning and gloves for gardening and other outdoor activities.
* Limit sunbathing. Use a sunscreen when you are out in the sun. At high altitudes, use a sunscreen formulated for skiing or a total sunblock.
* Rinse your laundry well and don’t use fabric conditioners; they may irritate your skin.
DRUG REMEDIES
Emollient bath additives
contain substances such as light liquid paraffin that disperse in water to make a soothing, milky bath that also cleans the skin. Soak for 10-20 minutes and pat yourself dry gently to keep the emollient on your skin.
Moisturizers can be used for washing and to protect and soothe dry skin. Use aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment in the bath and when you wash. Rinse of thoroughly, pat your skin dry, and then apply more aqueous cream.
Aqueous cream Apply aqueous cream liberally to your skin while it is still moist after a bath.
