Self-Care Guidelines
Healthy bathing habits can improve dry skin:
- Take a bath or shower only once daily. More frequent bathing can make the skin lose water (dehydrate).
- Use lukewarm (not hot) water.
- Limit bath time to 15 minutes.
- Avoid harsh deodorant soaps (or limit their use to armpits, groin, and feet).
- Use non-soap cleansers.
- Pat (don't rub) the skin dry after bathing.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing, while the skin is still moist.
- When choosing a moisturizer, look for oil-based creams and ointments, which work better than water-based lotions.
The following over-the-counter products may be helpful:
- Petrolatum or petroleum jelly (Vaseline®)
- Fragrance-free creams or ointments
- Preparations containing alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid or lactic acid
- Creams containing urea
- Over-the-counter cortisone cream (if the areas are itchy)
- Topical antibiotics applied immediately to any cracks in the skin to help prevent infection
Use a humidifier in the bedroom during the cold, dry seasons to help prevent dry skin.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your doctor for an evaluation if the above self-care measures do not cure your dry skin.
Signs and Symptoms
