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Original poster

Can’t get rid of dry flaky skin no matter what

34 replies

Animallover2325 · 17/04/2022 14:05

On my legs my skin is severely dry with very flaky skin too. I’ve gone through bottles and bottles of various moisturizers and the flaking just won’t stop. It’s depressing. I’m desperate to go swimming to get myself fitter and I can’t go near a swimming pool like this. Over never been able to swim with my son because of this dry skin and swimming was my thing back when I was younger. I love it and can’t go. Does anyone else have this issue? What have you used and was it a success? Thanks x

OP posts:
WalkerWalking · 17/04/2022 14:10

If it's in one patch, and it's actively flaking, it's quite possibly psoriasis. Worth asking the GP. There are not many proven treatments, but UV light can help.

LoudingVoice · 17/04/2022 14:13

Have you spoken to your GP? If it’s not shifting with normal moisturiser I’d guess it’s eczema and you can get something prescribed to clear it up.

Original poster
Animallover2325 · 17/04/2022 14:13

Hi, I have eczema but only ever on my hands. Could be that?

OP posts:
MiniCooperLover · 17/04/2022 14:15

What's your diet like? How much water do you drink? I find my skin gets very dry and scaled if I'm dehydrated and cream doesn't touch it.

topcat2014 · 17/04/2022 14:15

Don't underestimate eczema. It sounds trivial to a lot of people, but it can take over and get worse and is a fucker

Worth seeing a GP if it is problematic.

I get through 500g of prescribed moisturiser a week.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/04/2022 14:20

Tried CeraVe?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 17/04/2022 14:22

@WalkerWalking

If it's in one patch, and it's actively flaking, it's quite possibly psoriasis. Worth asking the GP. There are not many proven treatments, but UV light can help.
There are tons. Just not all work for all people.

OP, gritting your teeth and going swimming can actually help the skin. As long as you aren't actively weeping blood, the chlorine can help.

wonkygorgeous · 17/04/2022 14:24

Check your blood sugar. Higher than average blood sugar can cause flaky itchy patches. It can cause a lot of things you don't associate with it.

Marblessolveeverything · 17/04/2022 14:26

I have the same mild eczema every now and again at joints. I upped my water intake and vitamin e cream and moisturizing morning noon and night, exposed my skin to air and it has reduced it a good bit.

Original poster
Animallover2325 · 17/04/2022 14:27

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

Tried CeraVe?
I’m currently using cerave. It’s the closest I’ve got to it disappearing but if I go one day without it the flaking is back
OP posts:
Original poster
Animallover2325 · 17/04/2022 14:31

I didn’t know chlorine would help?

I could do with drinking more!

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 17/04/2022 14:32

What are you washing with? If you are using a standard soap or shower gel it's not helping and likely making the problem worse.

You should be using an emollient to wash with that you can also use as a shower gel - something like Zeroderm or a pharmacy type shower gel like Doublebase shower gel.

Next - how much emollient are you using? Because most people don't use nearly enough. As @topcat2014 you should be getting through about 500g a week.

I see loads of people with dry skin and ask them to show me their moisturiser/emollient and they bring out a bottle they have had for 6 months - it's no good at all, you need to use gallons of the stuff.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 17/04/2022 15:03

@Animallover2325

I didn’t know chlorine would help?

I could do with drinking more!

I've got psoriasis and having plaques aren't as common for me as going dry and dusty. Swimming seems to help, as does baths with hibiscrub when it's starting to flare as it kills off any bacterial or fungal involvement. Psoriderm baths soothe itching and reduce flakes, too.

Then I use variations of emollient/ointment.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/04/2022 15:21

I'd carry on the the CeraVe if it's helping. It took about 6 weeks of every day use for me think it repairs the skin barrier.

ChateauMargaux · 17/04/2022 15:27

Feed your skin from within... and then limit the amount of chemicals you are exposed to. Maybe try a fruit and vegetable cleanse week, then add rice, oily fish, avocados, raw oils. Dry brush daily, soak in Epsom salts and moisturise with a really basic shea butter type body cream. Avoid sls products, use an olive oil based soap. I am sure you will see an improvement... give it 3 weeks!!

Original poster
Animallover2325 · 17/04/2022 15:31

@AnnaMagnani

What are you washing with? If you are using a standard soap or shower gel it's not helping and likely making the problem worse.

You should be using an emollient to wash with that you can also use as a shower gel - something like Zeroderm or a pharmacy type shower gel like Doublebase shower gel.

Next - how much emollient are you using? Because most people don't use nearly enough. As @topcat2014 you should be getting through about 500g a week.

I see loads of people with dry skin and ask them to show me their moisturiser/emollient and they bring out a bottle they have had for 6 months - it's no good at all, you need to use gallons of the stuff.

I literally smother it on morning noon and night - nearly a handful each time. After shower where I’m using scent free creams - gels dry my skin anyway. I haven’t used prescription ones though. I might be a bit scared if emollient ones getting out of the shower as I’m a wheelchair user and it’s hard enough lol. I’d hope I washed it all away right
OP posts:
Original poster
Animallover2325 · 17/04/2022 15:32

Sorry - shower creams that is

OP posts:
Findingneeemo · 17/04/2022 15:36

Child’s farm moisturiser has helped my daughters flaky skin. Apply every night before bed. If she stops it returns within a few days. Also helped with dry hands from over washing.

bakermummy21 · 17/04/2022 17:06

I found the best one for my dry legs was Balmonds Bath & Body oil. Can buy online or from Holland & Barrrett

Shmithecat2 · 17/04/2022 17:09

Try Ameloriate or Ucerin UreaRepair Plus if you haven't already.

olympicsrock · 17/04/2022 17:15

Are your lowerlegs swollen ? Purple discolouration over your shins/ inner ankles? Sometimes people with chronic / dependency and immobility end up with ‘venous eczema’ . A support sticking would help if this is the case.

Original poster
Animallover2325 · 17/04/2022 18:56

@olympicsrock

Are your lowerlegs swollen ? Purple discolouration over your shins/ inner ankles? Sometimes people with chronic / dependency and immobility end up with ‘venous eczema’ . A support sticking would help if this is the case.
Yes they are! However I saw the vein specialist a few years ago and now wear pressure stockings. I haven’t seen any difference in swelling or skin improvement. I am a wheelchair user. Never had any of these issues til the past 7/8 years
OP posts:
ChateauMargaux · 17/04/2022 19:02

It's difficult to try all the options but could you try not using petroleum based emollient for a while?

Also.. is there anyone who could regularly massage your legs and feet? And now I am probably about to go so far into the left field I will leave the park... but would you consider looking into moxibustion where you burn sage sticks at the end of your feet to increase the flow of energy through your legs?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 17/04/2022 20:46

@Animallover2325

Sorry - shower creams that is
Would it be possible to consider adapting for a wet room if that would enable you to reduce transfer risk? I know people who have had adaptations where they can steer directly in, transfer to a seat and then transfer back out again - I don't know whether you use your chair fully all the time or whether you are having to navigate a standard shower cubicle - but what I have found is that having a dry towel to hand so I can ensure that the emollient is firstly liquified in the heat and then wiped off my hands/feet for when I step onto the mat/hold the rails, I don't slip.

Varicose eczema needs management to avoid it developing into ulcers - steroids can be useful for the active stage, but you can use emollient just as it is rather than crappy lotions, not just in the shower with appropriate awareness/caution about residues. It doesn't need to be put on by the gallon.

You might also need your stockings prescription updated - weight changes, for example, might mean the measurements aren't quite right for you so that the blood supply is being reduced to some parts, rather than supported, or that they aren't strong enough so it's still pooling.

BY THE WAY

I would ordinarily try to ignore the woo-woo, but seriously, @ChateauMargaux - somebody uses flammable substances daily that inherently leave a residue on the skin as their intended action (and clothing) - and your solution is to apply a source of ignition?

CrocodilesCry · 17/04/2022 21:38

It's likely your pressure stockings are causing (or at least not helping) the dry skin.
You can buy specialist creams for this.

Atoderm shower oil is also very good for very dry skin and you don't need to worry about washing it off completely either.

I'd recommend you only use it on very dry areas (I used it all over and it caused some breakouts on areas that aren't dry).