Skin chapping in multiple places…

F

Fyrefox

Well-known Member
Most of us are well-aware of the ravages of winter weather on our hands. I can develop cracked fingertips (skin fissures) if I don’t remember to maintain and moisturize my hands often. Frequent hand washing in light of the prevalence of winter colds, flu, and Covid is prudent, but also hard on the hands. You put out one fire to start another!

What has surprised me as I’ve grown older is I’ve found a need to apply lotion during winter to other bodily areas as well where painful chapping can occur, specifically on my knees and ankles! Is this an issue for others? Forgive me for my ignorance, but as a male the need for moisturizing the skin is an acquired awareness. I do try to use a less-harsh, moisturizing bath soap... 🧼
 

I've always been a soap and water person. I don't know if it is age, but my skin gets sore, too with rashes. I now use different 'washes' for different parts of my body, which seems to help. People who are over-weight have creases in their skin, which can be difficult to keep clean and dry. This can lead to irritation and infection. We used to use talc after a bath/shower, but that is discouraged now.
In the past, when clean water wasn't easily available, people used to rub their bodies with a rough cloth. This removed sweat, dirt and dead skin, so had the same effect as washing.
 
Yes, it is normal I think as we age that our skin requires for attention. We lose elasticity, we lose normal hydration to the skin. I would say that it would be good to find a skin lotion that rehydrates your dry skin. I have my own favorites, but everyone is different. You may have to try a few different ones to find the right one but I would avoid anything that has alcohol in it, that is a drying ingredient.
 

I have three whole house humidifiers and I keep the humidity above 50%. I also took one Allerest tablet a day, but only during periods where itching starts up. I shower with a body wash specifically made for dry itchy skin, and on occasion, I apply cortisone cream to affected areas. It's a pain in the ___, but the alternative was driving me insane. I scratched so much, I began bleeding through my T-shirt, and I left blood all over my bed sheets a couple times.

I brought this problem up more than one primary care doctors, and their reaction, somewhat exaggerated on my part was, "Your skin itches? Call me when you have cancer."

About that time, NPR interviewed a doctor about itchy skin. His opinion about the medical community's reaction mirrored my own. I can't even remember his solution. By that time, I had gotten advice from the internet, and through trial and error, I worked out my own solution. I informed my doctor about this too. He took note, but didn't tell me what I was doing was wrong. He even suggested I try Claritin instead of Allerest, which seemed to work a bit better. I don't know why he didn't suggest this in the first place. I think many doctors work right out of the AMA playbook, which may or may not take the problem seriously.
 
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Fyrefox said:
What has surprised me as I’ve grown older is I’ve found a need to apply lotion during winter to other bodily areas as well where painful chapping can occur, specifically on my knees and ankles! Is this an issue for others? Forgive me for my ignorance, but as a male the need for moisturizing the skin is an acquired awareness. I do try to use a less-harsh, moisturizing bath soap... 🧼
Click to expand...
This started for me a few years ago. I never really had dry skin, but those days are over. I have the fingertip cracks, cracked ankles, super dry arms. I use a moisturizing body wash instead of soap, and different lotions for different body areas. The tough spots get O'keefe's skin repair and that helps a lot.

I try to keep the humidity in my apartment as high as I can over the 12-16%
that it is at most of the Winter. But honestly it is really a losing battle.

JustDave said:
"Your skin itches? Call me when you have cancer."
Click to expand...
That would really piss me off.
 
We use CeraVe Healing Ointment and it works wonderfully...keeps your skin moist for days - just a little bit goes a very long way. I have sensitive skin and can tell you this is so soft and gentle its the only thing I use as a facial, hand and body moisturizer . Also use the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Cleanser as a soap all over my body. It has ceramides, which build up the protective skin barrier.

Winter skin can get so dry.

https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Prote...locphy=1026847&hvtargid=pla-560985993325&th=1
 
Kika said:
"Your skin itches? Call me when you have cancer."
That would really piss me off.
Click to expand...
That was an exaggeration, of course. To be more precise, it's more like they have a vacant look, wondering why I even bring up the problem. I think it's hard for them to relate, because everyone gets an itch at times. Hell, I had them when I was younger. You just give it a scratch and it goes away. But the chronic itching frequently experienced in some of us older folks is beyond them to understand. Granted, seeing a doctor about an itch would ordinarily be an oddity, but itching that drives one to distraction, and interferes with sleep, simple thought, and dominates your waking life, is simply not the same issue. And yes, it pissed me off too to have it ignored, especially when it can be fixed.
 
I get finger, knuckle & heel cracks real bad, especially in winter. And I like HOT showers twice/day which makes it worse.
The only way I can prevent cracking & chafing is by applying "Gold Bond lotion For Diabetics" on hands & "Gold Bond Foot Cream For Diabetics" on feet.
And I have to apply them immediately after a shower. I like that brand because (unlike other brands) it doesn't leave my hands slippery.
 
It seems that every time I go outdoors in this freezing weather, for more than a few minutes...even with gloves on....my fingers quickly develop "cracks". Now, in the Winter months, I use a lotion called Eucerin, from Walmart, and that helps quite a bit.
 
Try using a humidifier. Cool mist is supposed to be better than the steam type.

I've never been one to use creams or lotions. But I apply a bit of coconut oil when necessary. It can safely be used on any part of the face or body.
 
Liberty said:
We use CeraVe Healing Ointment and it works wonderfully...keeps your skin moist for days - just a little bit goes a very long way. I have sensitive skin and can tell you this is so soft and gentle its the only thing I use as a facial, hand and body moisturizer . Also use the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Cleanser as a soap all over my body. It has ceramides, which build up the protective skin barrier.

Winter skin can get so dry.

https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Prote...locphy=1026847&hvtargid=pla-560985993325&th=1
Click to expand...
Does it make your skin feel greasy? I can't stand that so have avoided using moisturizers. But, if this soaks in and doesn't feel greasy, I'd certainly give it a try!
 
I have had good results with Bag Balm for dry skin but it can be a little greasy. Just an FYI. I thought I had dry skin on my feet but it turned out to be Psoriasis. It can also mimic nail fungus.
 

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