Care for your Dry Skin at Home

Given below are home treatment suggestions to help you overcome the discomfort of 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.

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