Calling Doctor Hive: Itchy dry skin cures?

[Katy]

Does anyone have any reccomendations to improve itchy dry skin? Lotion doesn't seem to help. My old standby used to be Aveeno, but since it is full of oatmeal and I have wheat allergies (I've even broken out to shampoos with wheat protein in them), I'm too worried about cross contamination to try it.

 

Slathering on petroleum jelly or even a mixture of raw shea butter, coconut, and apricot seed oils didn't help either.

 

Are there any "overnight cures," like how drinking 2 liters of water before bed usually improves acne overnight?

 

How about eating a tub of guacamole? Yes, I've gotten to the point that I would deliberately gain 5 pounds just to stop the itch! It's everywhere, from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet. No rash, no new cleaning products, just a cold snap and low humidity.

[Dana]

I used to teach in a classroom with chalk. Couple that with lots of handwashing due to allergies, and I'd have my knuckles cracked and bleeding in the winter.

 

My dermatologist recommends CeraVe lotion. It doesn't feel as oily as most lotions do to me. I don't know if wheat is an ingredient or not. I've found it on amazon too.

 

For the times when I had open cuts, I used Lansinoh (had some left over from nursing). I'd put that on my hands before going to bed at night (key for spreadability was to warm the tube up in my pocket first). My hands would stick to the sheets (blech), but by morning, the cuts were generally gone. I found it amazing. When I started using the CeraVe at the first sign of scaliness, I didn't need the Lansinoh much any more.

 

Hope you find something that works!

[Outdoorsy Type]

I use coconut oil or VaniCream for dry winter skin

[Tiramisu]

By far the best thing I've used, and I've used a lot, including vaseline, aquaphor, and coconut oil, is the heavy duty version of Burt's Bee's body lotion. It's the only thing that's ever made a difference for me.

[Dandelion]

Three weeks ago, I had a terrible itchy rash that started on my legs and then spread over my torso and my arms. I have never been so itchy and miserable in my life! The rash itself was initially not very visible (tiny white bumps), but as I scratched, it became more inflamed and red.

 

You mentioned that you don't have a rash, but I'll share what I did just in case it helps you. After a few days of the below regimen, the rash and itching stopped. I put together this treatment plan through doing a lot of googling on "natural remedies for itchy rash". ;) By the time I implemented this though, I had had the rash and itching for almost two weeks and had tried various lotions/creams to no avail.

 

• Apple cider vinegar (make sure it says "with the mother" on it - Bragg's is a good brand) - I put a good amount on a paper towel and then applied it directly to the itchy spots. At first it burned a bit, but after about 10 min. the itching went away. I did this 2-3 times a day whenever the itching sensation started up again. Smelly, but it definitely provides relief!
  
• Cod Liver Oil - to reduce inflammation. We use Carlson's Norwegian Cod Liver Oil (DS takes it daily - I had not been taking it regularly before this). 1 tbsp. per day.
  
• Quercetin - it's a bioflavonoid and a strong natural anti-histamine. I figured I might be having an allergic reaction (rashes are often a sign of elevated histamines). Picked up 90 capsules at my health food store for under $10 IIRC. 500mg 2x day.
  
• Cut way back on sugar. Prior to developing this rash, I had been heavily indulging in chocolate, sweets, and a bit more wine than usual (this was the week before Christmas after all :D ). Too much sugar can cause elevated yeast in the body, which can lead to itching and/or rashes. So I figured cutting back on sugar would probably help.
  

 

Hope you find some relief!

[Pawz4me]

Stay hydrated, avoid overly hot showers/baths, use a good moisturizing lotion and run humidifiers (especially in bedrooms) to put some moisture into the air.

[garddwr]

We use coconut oil. It needs to be applied frequently if the skin is extremely dry.

[godsaggie]

We've just started with coconut oil (but you said that isn't working.) We are in a very dry area as well and are freezing our tails off! My poor kids have all these bumps all over their arms and legs from severe dry skin. I have three humidifiers running non-stop right now to see if that will help. Someone else mentioned apple cider vinegar which should really help with your dry scalp. Sorry you have to deal with this.

[Happy]

I fell in love with Eucerin during chemo. Chemo dries you out from the inside out, so it gets bad. Lots of Eucerin and Aquaphor for lips. I also love a rubdown with olive oil...

[KungFuPanda]

Drink water, run a vaporizer, take a warm (not hot) bath with bath oils.

 

That's all I've got. I'm too stupid to drink enough water, so I'm pretty dry right now. I'm also too lazy to get up and put on lotion. I deserve to dry up and blow away.

[Mergath]

This stuff is the only thing I've found that works well:

 

http://www.eucerinus.com/products/repair/eucerin-intensive-repair-very-dry-skin-lotion.html

[Lolly]

First, stop bathing unless absolutely necessary. We're talking about once a week. While it seems like being in water would be hydrating, it is not. It is very drying. The hotter the water, the more drying. Second, do you have any idea about other things you may be allergic to? Coconut oil is in most lotions. It is a fairly high allergen. Try to find a lotion without it. Oatmeal is another. You are already avoiding it. Eucerin is usually a fairly safe bet. Avoid soap. When you bath, just wash with water. Lotion down immediately after. Fast lukewarm showers only, no baths. My dd has to really watch shampoos too. She is allergic to fruits and mints. So many shampoos have fruit juice. Her latest rash, showed up everytime she showered, was caused by eucalyptus. She didn't know she was allergic to it/had never heard of it. I borrowed her shampoo one day and realized what the problem was. Another shampoo was causing a rash on her face where ever her hair touched her. It was apple juice in the shampoo.

 

Of course, since yours has just come on since a cold snap, running a humidifier (especially in your room at night) might solve your problem.

[Chris in VA]

I agree with Lolly--I love a hot, soapy shower, but just can't in the winter. I've found Dove bodywash with oil (Creme Oil? I'm not sure of the particular type) helped me a lot, but I just used it on the essential parts, iykwim. Not drying off all the way and using lotion helped a bit, too.

I also agree with super-hydrating and avoiding caffeine and diuretic foods (like asparagus--who knew?).

Adding a humidifier helps tons, too.

 

Make sure your liver is taken care of--ease off on any alcohol (drying and stresses the liver).