Dry Skin and Itching - Home Treatment
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
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 tepid 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 doctor may prescribe a stronger cream.
- Try a nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as Claritin, Chlor-Trimeton, or Benadryl.
- Cut your nails short or wear gloves at night to prevent scratching.
- Wear cotton or silk clothing. Avoid wool and acrylic fabrics next to your skin.
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: March 5, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology | |
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