Living with dry and itchy skin can be frustrating. So, to help you, here are some tips from our team of skin experts to incorporate in your daily life:
- Limit your time in the shower or bath to 5 or 10 minutes. Water is very drying on the skin, so limit contact time to prevent too much moisture loss from the skin.
- Use warm rather than hot water, this will also help to limit the drying effect of washing.
- Replace standard soaps with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. You can substitute your standard soap with an emollient product, which will also help to rehydrate and protect the skin as you wash.
- Apply a moisturiser in long gentle strokes in the direction of your hair growth right after after gently blotting your skin dry. Avoid rubbing the skin as this can cause further irritation.
- Apply a moisturiser liberally and often, particularly right after bathing, and when itchy. The drier the skin, the thicker and more frequent application should be.
- Carry a non-greasy hand cream with you, and apply it each time you wash your hands.
- Use perfume free laundry detergent, labeled “hypoallergenic”.
- Wear gloves when going outdoors in winter, getting hands wet or using chemicals to protect them from irritation and flare ups.
- Add moisture to the air by plugging in a humidifier at home. This will help to prevent your skin from being affected by dry air.
