If you’ve ever found yourself rubbing your back against the door or scratching your legs like the mutt down the street chances are you have dry skin. It sounds innocent enough but in severe cases you can’t sleep, and you can even create sores or open cuts from your scratching.

Almost everyone now and again experiences dry, itchy skin. It is most common during the winter months when we spend more time inside and dry forced air heat warms the indoors. Instead of letting it drive you crazy, there are some simple home remedies that can make you feel better.

Tell-Tale Signs

You don’t have to be an Einstein to diagnose your condition. If your skin appears scaly and you seem to itch all over but particularly on your arms, legs, and back, chances are you have dry skin. Just because you have identified your condition doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t call the doctor. But before you rush to the phone try some home remedies to see if you can relieve your symptoms.

Treating Yourself from the Inside Out

One of the immediate steps – and best steps – you can take is make sure you are getting enough water. Keeping the body hydrated is the first line of defense from dry, winter skin. If you are not drinking the recommended eight glasses a day, start by making sure you are giving your body the fluids it needs.

Too Many Baths? Could Be Too Much of a Good Thing

While you’re filling up with water, be sure that you are not overdoing it when it comes to keeping clean. While we all love a hot baths or showers, the heat from the water as well as excessive bathing, can dry out your skin. It may remove the natural oils that hold the moisture. Keep showers short and don’t soak in the tub for long periods of time.

Pamper Yourself

Bath oils and moisturizers can replace some of the oils that your skin loses due to dryness or aging. Check the labels to make sure that the creams you are using don’t contain alcohol. Ask a dermatologist to recommend some good products.

If your furnace doesn’t have a humidifier, buy one! Putting moisture in the air will help alleviate your symptoms.

Contact your health care professional if you can’t find relief or if you have additional symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph glands, insomnia, or you are tearing your skin while scratching. Dry skin is nothing to scream about – you can find the help you need.

Related Articles
	The Keys to Dry Skin Care Dry skin isn’t the type of condition that just goes away on its own. It takes constant treatment and care to alleviate dry skin. Many people suffer from this skin condition and dealing with extreme temperatures and other environmental factors can be a nuisance. However, taking care of dry  ...Read more		Is Your Skin Dry or Just Thirsty? If your skin feels tight, rough and looks flaky, doesn’t it make sense to slather on an oil-rich moisturizer? Not necessarily. First, you need to determine whether your skin is truly dry or simply dehydrated. Dry skin doesn’t produce enough oils (lipids), whereas dehydrated skin lacks water   ...Read more