Dry Skin and Itching

Home Treatment

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.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: March 15, 2007
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
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