What can I get for itchy dry skin that works? Any eczema veterans around?

[drjohnsonscat]

Am really struggling this winter with itchy dry skin especially on my stomach. There are a few patches of discoloration - like a very mild eczema and I guess that's what it is. I've tried Boots Derma Care for very dry skin which hasn't helped and also E45 and E45 Itchy Skin Relief to no avail.

What should I be using? I only use non-bio washing powder but should I also switch to something even milder?

Any tips welcome as I am really, really itching.

[coxspippin]

i endorse doublebase (gel?), it's thicker than diprobase but the latter comes in a handy 50g tube. your doctor may prescribe a mild steroidal cream to use as he/ she directs, ie sparingly. in winter you may have dry indoor conditions due to central heating (adjust heating or try a humidifier perhaps?). doublebase is creamy but you may still have to apply it twice or more a day. hth.

[drjohnsonscat]

Thanks so much for all the recs. I got an enormous vat of Diprobase from the chemist and it's really helping after only two days. I'm also going to get some of the others mentioned just for the days when I don't want to smell like a district nurse's medical supplies bag

[tleaf]

Udderly cream has worked wonders for my grandchild. See website for local suppliers or to order on-line. Our local hospice also recommends it for chemo and radiation skin problems,

[Wolfiefan]

Diprobase. Lots. Often.
Dream Cream lovely.
DCs use Dermol.

[beanandspud]

I use diprobase when my skin is really dry (very thick and smells a bit clinical). Doublebase gel is my usual moisturiser and I get both from the chemist without prescription (about £11 for a huge pot).

I also have Betnovate cream on prescription for when I have flare up but don't need a lot of it as long as I use the other creams iyswim.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Lush Dream Cream is great - I always found things like E45 really stung, but no problems with this.

[HavingALittleFaithBaby]

I use diprobase for moisturising (although cetraban is good and similar) and I'm prescribed Dermol for washing. It's worth seeing your GP though and asking them to consider a dermatology referral. My skin flared up and I got referred. I had skin patch testing to see if anything in particular aggravated mine.

Washing liquid is better for me than powder. Weirdly I find the best for me is Lidl liquid detergent! Basic stuff like using gloves for cleaning will help your hands too and avoiding washing up.

Try putting a bowl of water in your bedroom too - central heating dries out the air and can exacerbate symptoms.

[ChocolateCremeEggBag]

I use Aveeno and cotton gloves every night.

I also use (ahem) Vagisil and Tesco own brand haemorrhoid cream (soft paraffin wax based) - both have lidocaine in so help to break the itch/scratch cycle when I feel like I need to tear my skin off. Must warn that I've never checked with a doctor if this is ok, but if you can put them both on your lady bits/bum hole, then surely occasionally everywhere else can't be too bad better than a nail brush which I have resorted to in the past

[oldraver]

I use DoubleBase in the summer as my eczema isnt as bad and Cetraban in the winter and as a soap in the shower.

I recently went to buy some OTC Hydrocortisone as had forgotten to order it and had a flare up and found out that OTC is 1%. The pharmacist said you couldn't buy 0.25% it had to be prescribed, which did seem odd but then I suppose as its what you would use for longer term use that maybe why ?

[Fuzzymum1]

Another vote for cetraben, DS3 gets it on prescription and it's really effective on dry itchy skin.You can buy it online from chemistdirect

[SeagullsAreLikeThat]

Agreed. I've been told by several GPs that with eczema, what suits one person may not suit another and they just go through the book trying things until something works.

For any small patches on the face (DS gets really sore around his mouth and chin in Winter) we find just simple Vaseline slapped on liberally at any opportunity both protects and heals. We go through tubs of it!

[busymummy3]

Don't use Aqueous Cream it makes skin itch Dermatologist told me that it is a soap substitute NOT a moisturiser , it tends to be prescribed by GP'S apparently because it is cheap ( was told this when I asked why prescribed to my DS from being newborn ) Wasrescribed Doublebase by Dematologist which has worked but was told no problem if it didn't would just keep trying different ones until suitable one found.

[LAK11]

Diprobase!!!! I am now under dermatologist due to weird rash - not eczema - possible psoriasis guttate, but diprobase is the only thing that is working.

[drjohnsonscat]

ooh this is so helpful, thank you.

I did go into one of our local pharmacies and they just tried to flog me something expensive and full of perfume so I knew I'd get a better answer on here

Will go in tomorrow armed with names. DCs also suffer a bit and DD gets the red skin around her lips when it's cold so it sounds like we all need to get cream on. Didn't know about lanolin but that makes sense because what I was using seemed to make DS's skin worse not better.

[SeagullsAreLikeThat]

Doublebase here too (different to Diprobase) although Dermol 500 is quite good too.

Top tip: cover yourself in cream BEFORE having a shower or bath as well as after. Can make a huge difference.

Shampoos I struggle with constantly, the only one I don't react to is Nutrogena T Gel but not the coal tar ones. They do one for everyday use which needs no conditioner, leaves hair soft but doesn't have anything nasty in it.

[catkind]

Our doctor said you can use all sorts of things for the dry skin aspect, but if it's also red/itchy it is eczema and best to treat it with a steroid cream. You can get a mild one like hydrocortisone OTC, that's prob what GP would prescribe in the first instance anyway.

[sheepflower]

I have very dry itchy skin and use aqueous cream. It's the only thing that works. It's £4 a big tub from the chemist.

[upinthehills]

Aveeno here too - my DC can go to sleep with sore red mouth from winter, I slap it on a couple of time in the evening and they wake up with perfect skin!

[GroupieGirl]

Shampoo wise, have you tried any Lush products? I use 'Big' which contains sea salt and doesn't seem to irritate my daughter's skin.

Is doublebase another name for diprobase? Or are they different things?

[YourHandInMyHand]

Cetraben works well on DS, and a few other people I know.

[Superene]

Oo, for shampoo try Original Sprout. Amazing and easy to get online.

[Oldieandgoldie]

oops
*could find me a shampoo I don't react to....

[Superene]

Porridge oats tied up in a little bag/bit of old tights, chuck in the bath, give a squeeze to release the oatmilk - it works wonders, and the amazing cream that is A-Derma Exomega, a French oat based eczema cream available from independent chemists and internet, that instantly works on my ds. Much more effective than Aveeno in our house.

[Oldieandgoldie]

I have very dry skin (and eczema) and find Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter works for me. Lanolin is no-go area here too.
Now if only someone old find me a shampoo I don't react too......