Dry skin is easily irritated when the outer oily layer stops effectively sealing in moisture. Dry and itchy skin can be caused by factors such as age and low humidity. Add into the equation dehydration, stress or smoking and your already dry and itchy skin could become downright unbearable. If you’re having trouble keeping your skin moisturized, follow some simple skin care techniques and you should find much-needed relief.
Step 1
Apply a moisturizer three to four times per day. If you put on some lotion, cream or ointment after you shower, you will help your skin hold in more of the moisture from the water, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. You can also remedy your dry hands by lathering on some petroleum jelly before bed and wearing cotton-lined gloves while sleeping.
Step 2
Apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to the affected area if other moisturizers aren’t effective on their own, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, tell your doctor about what you’re using and only use the product for a week or two unless your doctor recommends using it longer, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Step 3
Turn on your shower to a lukewarm setting and make your shower brief. Five to 10 minutes is enough time to soap up and rinse off without causing unnecessary damage to your already-dry skin, according to The Cleveland Clinic. For extra relief, take a cool bath with baking soda, colloidal oatmeal or uncooked oatmeal sprinkled in, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Wash with mild soaps that don’t contain perfumes or dyes, as they tend to be gentler on your skin than others. This rule applies to the soaps you wash your body and hands with and the detergent you use to wash your clothing, bedding and towels, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 5
Wash your whole body only two or three times per week. To reduce overexposure to body soap, you may consider washing only your genital area and underarms daily but alternate days on washing the rest of your body, suggests the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Step 6
See your doctor if your dry, itchy skin becomes worse or doesn’t respond to home care. Dry and itchy skin is susceptible to infection; if it becomes infected, it will likely feel warm and swollen, appear red and ooze fluid, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. If your skin doesn’t seem infected but itching persists for at least two weeks and you can’t pinpoint a cause, it may be related to an underlying health condition that requires separate treatment, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Things You'll Need
- Lotion, cream or ointment
- 1 percent hydrocortisone cream
- Mild soaps and detergents
- Petroleum jelly
- Dry or colloidal ointment
Member Comments