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Dry Skin Care (and skin care for eczema)
Patient Handouts > Dry Skin Care (and skin care for eczema)
Keeping skin moist in the winter (or in dry climates) can be a challenge, but is the most important preventative measure to avoid dry, itchy skin (winter itch) and eczema.
Humidity
- Using a furnace can result in indoor humidity below 20%, which dries out skin.
- Use a humidifier and keep indoor humidity around 50%.
Washing
- Minimize repeated washing (especially of hands).
- Brands of mild cleansers include Caress, Cetaphil, Dove, and Neutrogena.
- A good antibacterial soap that is non-drying is Lever 2000 (unscented).
- If frequent washing is necessary, use moisturizers every few times; apply lotion to moist hands. Petroleum jelly is a good choice here—apply sparingly.
Moisturization
- After bathing, pat skin dry and apply lotion while skin is still moist.
- If an area is especially dry, moisten hands under a faucet, rub water on the dry area, and then apply moisturizer on the moist skin.
- Aveeno is a great lotion…it moisturizes well, is relatively inexpensive, and has minimal ingredients.
Medication
- If the above measures are insufficient, consult a dermatologist for a topical medication to treat difficult areas.
- Thick skin (like on the feet) can be treated with lactic acid or urea creams.
- Steroidal topical agents may be needed for inflamed areas.
- Non-steroidal agents are also available.
Remember . . . moist skin is happy skin!
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