How to Treat Rough, Dry Skin

Do you live in a dry climate with very little humidity? Does the winter make your skin dry up? Are you constantly itchy? Good news—you can solve your dry skin without moving to a tropical paradise. Many people deal with rough, dry skin. Sometimes just applying lotion doesn't solve the problem.

Dry skin most commonly occurs on your body's limbs, such as your arms and legs. On occasion, however, it may appear on your stomach, back, or other body parts as well. On your hands and feet the problem can get so bad that your skin might begin cracking and bleeding. If your dry skin is bad enough, you may even begin to see red patches of skin on your body. Here are some tips on how to get your skin back to being soft and comfortable:

• Shorten your showers: An important rule to remember when getting rid of dry skin is that water will not help the problem. You may think that soaking up water in a bath will help your skin, but in reality, the water will soak up the oils in your skin, leaving you more dried out than you were before. Try to take short baths or showers instead. Heat can also aggravate the skin, so don't let the water get too hot.
• Use moisturizers: Moisturizers are especially good to use right after you get out of the shower because they can help your skin trap its natural oils in. Apply moisturizers frequently throughout the day. This should lessen your skin's dryness and help you to be more comfortable. There are four major types of moisturizers: ointment moisturizers, oil moisturizers, cream moisturizers, and lotion moisturizers. There are pros and cons for each kind, so consider trying out each one to see what works best for your skin. Try staying away from scented lotions because the chemical they contain may irritate your skin even more.
• Try cortisone cream: For red, itchy patches, try using a topical cortisone cream. If this doesn't seem to help and ends up irritating the skin even more, stop using it and see a dermatologist.

If nothing else is working or you want more personal advice, go to a dermatologist. He or she will have medical training that should help you get rid of your dry skin quickly. Also, dry skin can sometimes be confused for other skin-associated problems, such as ringworm or allergies.