Itchy Dry Skin on Legs in Winter...HELP!!!!

[PapaBear]

Dr. Steve,

I've always had dry winter skin itching, but this year it's BAD. I've tried several kinds of lotions. Oatmeal based ones do the best, but it's still not enough. On small areas, I resort to an itch cream such as Benadryl, but that's just too expensive for large areas. My shins itch so bad, I end up injuring them with my nails! PLEASE... tell me if you know of a good remedy. Preferably one that's not outrageously expensive, as many lotions can be.

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve,

I've always had dry winter skin itching, but this year it's BAD. I've tried several kinds of lotions. Oatmeal based ones do the best, but it's still not enough. On small areas, I resort to an itch cream such as Benadryl, but that's just too expensive for large areas. My shins itch so bad, I end up injuring them with my nails! PLEASE... tell me if you know of a good remedy. Preferably one that's not outrageously expensive, as many lotions can be.

In saying this, I'm assuming you've already been to the doctor and ruled out nasty things and it's just dry skin dermatitis. (given your description I'd say it's 99% sure that's what it is, but you know what I mean)

I have the exact same problem. Here's how to fix it:

1) during the acute phase (i.e., there's damaged skin from scratching and stuff) put two pea-sized globs of HYDROCORT 10 OINTMENT (not lotion) on your hand and mix it up with some Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter lotion (cheap is ok) and slather it on your legs twice a day.

2) use a moisturizing soap every time you wash in the shower. anything that says "HYDRATING" on it should help

3) once you've cleared up the redness and thickness, use Nivea cream (the supermodels use this crap two to three times a day) on your legs morning and night.

If this doesn't fix the problem, a dermatologist can prescribe a prescription-strength skin hydrating gel.

Let me know how it goes!


your pal,



steve

[Misteriosa]

i have this dry itchy skin too, but not to this extreme. i use aveeno everything.

right now im using:

http://www.aveeno.com/images/pr/3955_StrsRlfBodWsh_12_300.gif

http://www.aveeno.com/images/pr/1579.gif
(sans menthol)

http://www.aveeno.com/images/pr/3670_TherShvGel_7_300.gif
(though i shouldnt be shaving because of my KP)

and this on my face

https://www.otcrx4u.com/images/T/1237952571-36334_full.jpg

i also have a humidifier for the room.