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

[Animallover2325]

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

@ChateauMargaux

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?

Unlikely. I have no sensation in this one leg so that would be iffy

I'd go back to the GP for eczema advice. I'd also be tempted to try something like Lyonsleaf zinc and calendula cream in the meantime.

Are you in a hard water area?

Asking because we got a water softener recently, and all of a sudden my eczema and dry hands were much better - we had a pump bottle of moisturizer by every tap to be used after handwashing before that.

Just read down. My first thought had been to make sure there were plenty of good fats in your diet. That still applies but you probably need a cream with urea in.

I have incredibly dry, lizard like legs, prone to flaking.

Two things help: occitane 20% Shea hand cream, or Garnier Shea butter 7 day intensive body lotion.

I too have tried many many body creams but these really do work for me.

@WellTidy

I have incredibly dry, lizard like legs, prone to flaking.

Two things help: occitane 20% Shea hand cream, or Garnier Shea butter 7 day intensive body lotion.

I too have tried many many body creams but these really do work for me.

Thanks x

Hello OP - I am a HCP and specialist in this area. I think you do have ‘venous/ varicose eczema’. We use this term to describe the leg swelling/ purple discolouration and eczema, dry skin that people with faulty veins get however…. However People with normal veins but ‘calf muscle pump failure’ get exactly the same problem as you need to actively working calf muscles to push blood back up the veins. If you don’t walk/ have legs down all the time you will get exactly the same skin changes.

@NeverDropYourMooncup is spot on. With chronic leg swelling and venous/ varicose eczema it is important to get the stockings re measured every 6 months. The swelling / and pooling of blood drives the inflammatory eczema and can progress to ulcers.
Also I suspect that you are only using a class 1 stocking if in the wheelchair. You need class 2 compression to be effective they are difficult to put on even if fully ‘able’. It would probably be worth asking to be fitted for a compression garment that can be put on with velcro although you may need help with it.
The other thing which is hugely important is elevating your legs, try getting the foot end of your bed raised. You also need to make sure that you try sitting in a recliner chair rather than in your wheelchair as it is the chronic dependency ( legs down ) causing this issue.

@olympicsrock

Hello OP - I am a HCP and specialist in this area. I think you do have ‘venous/ varicose eczema’. We use this term to describe the leg swelling/ purple discolouration and eczema, dry skin that people with faulty veins get however…. However People with normal veins but ‘calf muscle pump failure’ get exactly the same problem as you need to actively working calf muscles to push blood back up the veins. If you don’t walk/ have legs down all the time you will get exactly the same skin changes.

@NeverDropYourMooncup is spot on. With chronic leg swelling and venous/ varicose eczema it is important to get the stockings re measured every 6 months. The swelling / and pooling of blood drives the inflammatory eczema and can progress to ulcers.
Also I suspect that you are only using a class 1 stocking if in the wheelchair. You need class 2 compression to be effective they are difficult to put on even if fully ‘able’. It would probably be worth asking to be fitted for a compression garment that can be put on with velcro although you may need help with it.
The other thing which is hugely important is elevating your legs, try getting the foot end of your bed raised. You also need to make sure that you try sitting in a recliner chair rather than in your wheelchair as it is the chronic dependency ( legs down ) causing this issue.

Hi there thanks, I do all of these things. Elevate on my reclining couch. I was told at least twenty minutes a day, I pretty much recline every time I’m sitting there and I put a cushion under my leg too, I also get my stockings changed every did months x f they do the dopler test every year x

Sorry every six months and they re-measure each time x