Guest guest Posted February 12, 2003 Report Share Posted February 12, 2003 , Dry skin is my middle name. Always has been. Mine is accompanied by my excema and skin allergies. I was about 2 or 3 years old with finger cracks and bleeding and my Mom had to put special soap and creme on me. We used an awful smelling pine tar soap then, but it sure soothed my hands. I have tried just about everything. Including a bathtub soak of oatmeal, olive oil and milk! I also tried plain olive oil after a bath or shower while I am still wet and sort of just pat myself dry. Several courses of allergy shots did help immensely. I also try to remember to wear gloves outside and on windy days. Now, for something practical: I have 3 main soaps I use and alternate, depending on my day, the weather and my aquatics work. I use Neutrogena Fragrance Free, Ivory and another one - Rose cold cream soap by Crabtree and . Another thing I do about 3 times a week is soak in a bath with baking soda. I put about 1/2 a box in a bath and also make a paste of it on my skin. I buy the stuff in bulk, the largest boxes, lol, the checkers at the market tease me about how much baking I must do! For a great all purpose lotion, Vaseline Advanced Healing Formula works wonders and it is fragrance free too, I use it everywhere and often. More so on feet and hands. If my hands are chapped from wind or after gardening, I also use a prescription of triamcinolone cream, plus the lotion, then I cover my hands in those plastic gloves the doctors use. The cream soaks in well and I can still type or write or cook or anything with them on. With my feet, I use the same lotion and cream and put on a pair of bulky cotton socks - bulky so my toes can move, but also the socks help keep the cream in. Sounds like alot of work, but it's not. Caring for my skin like this is worth it! Most of the time my trigger areas don't even bother me anymore. ~ Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2003 Report Share Posted February 15, 2003 My hands used to crack and bleed when I lived up north and was exposed to colder, harsher climates. The cracking and bleeding has not been a major problem since I moved to the south. The cold weather was the biggest culprit for my CMT hands. Regarding dry skin, I have become a huge fan of the salt and/or sugar scrubs that are on the market now. Bath and Body Works carries a nice line of these scrubs. They are a combination of a gritty sand- like substance to exfoliate AND essential oils to soften and soothe the skin. The combination is wonderful. My skin has NEVER been softer in my life than it is now, and I have always had overly dry skin! I use them every time I bathe or shower. They might be worth a try. Because it is an oil-based product, you do need to be careful and wipe out your tub and showers after you use them so you don't leave a slick film that could cause a fall the next time. Ruth in Raleigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2003 Report Share Posted February 16, 2003 Ask your Doc about Aquafilic. It is put on after a shower. I live in Colorado where the dry air sucks the moisture out of you. I use this everyday. Also try not to use soap on the feet unless necessary. Soap really dry's. Hope this helps........ Martha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2003 Report Share Posted February 16, 2003 Strange, I was driving this morning and I thought about my dry skin problems when I was a kid and whether they could be CMT related. I no longer have severe dry skin but when I was a young my feet would crack and bleed. I was wondering if this is common with CMT? JD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2003 Report Share Posted February 17, 2003 Well, the whole dry skin thing is an ongoing challenge. I once heard a guy say that his dry skin went away after he was treated for skin cancer! It seems that his family was all dark and they lived by the beach, and he really WAS the red-haired, fair-skinned stepchild. He was sunburned all the time, and got skin cancer at a young age. They did some chemotherapy thing to his face, and he was surprised that his " dry skin " went away. I know my most troublesome areas are those that I sunburned when I was a kid. I finally started using -- I know this sounds weird, but it really works for me -- Crisco. It is so much cheaper than lotion, and it has no scent. I just rub it on after a shower, and it is a big help. I still use hand lotion throughout the day. -- Folly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 Rochelle- Great posting! I especially chuckled about staying single and staying young. That makes plenty of sense to me especially if you're talking about taking care of a husband and kids rather than just taking care of yourself. All of these postings about dry skin have come as a big surprise to me. I've always had dry skin too and I attributed it completely to the fact that I've been a lifelong competitive swimmer and I've spent my entire 30+ year career working in a pool, much of the time outdoors. I can understand how CMT could affect the skin but are there any studies on the topic or is all of this anecdotal evidence? Deni Gillespie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 Hi folks, My secret weapon for dry skin (hands) and minor foot sores.....BAG BALM, the stuff dairy farmers use on cow's udders, has lanolin, vasoline, vitamins A & E and a little Aloe thrown in. This stuff will even heal a near fatal hangnail. I swear by it. Jim Nash in Ohio P.S. Because it works so well on hands it has saved a lot of farmers from getting kicked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2003 Report Share Posted February 20, 2003 I thought I had dry skin on my feet. But I went to a new podiatrist who said I have a fungal infection. She wanted me to take the antifungal med where you have to have your liver functions check every few months. But I was hesitant to take that. So she gave me her own brand of cream but it did no good. Now I am spraying with over-the-counter stuff. Any ideaas or advice. I thought that liver checking med might not be good with CMT. Joan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 My skin is dry and very itchy all yr round. I scratch it so badly that I have scabs all over me. Used to be only winter, but now is yr round. Iwondered if it is RA or RA meds that might contribute to this. I have been on mtx for many yrs, also embrel. Anyone w/ similar situation? I have also wondered if a water softener would make a difference. Thanks, Margie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 I have itchy skin also. I get dry patches that are real flaky and mildly red. I was thinking possible psoriatic arthritis. Lotion doesn't even seem to help. I take mtx but not enbrel. I use Arava instead. Vicki ----- Original Message ----From: emhenry2002 <emhenry2002@...>Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 9:54:52 AMSubject: dry skin My skin is dry and very itchy all yr round. I scratch it so badlythat I have scabs all over me. Used to be only winter, but now is yrround. Iwondered if it is RA or RA meds that might contribute tothis. I have been on mtx for many yrs, also embrel. Anyone w/ similarsituation? I have also wondered if a water softener would make adifference.Thanks,Margie Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Dear Margie- You might think of seeing a dermatologist. MTX can cause itchiness. I must say that Using Aveeno Anti Itch has been a god send for me. Taking Calahist Gel and slathering will help too. Lastly they do have tar cream or something diabetics use. You might think about taking low dose benadryl or claritin to help. Also a steriod topical cream might help. You may also have a food allergy. I hope this helps. I have been getting flea bites that sting and bleed. The Aveeno Calamine really really helped. I am fine right now. Please resist the urge to itch. Use Ice to numb the area and think about seeing a specialist for this or stop MTX for a week to see if the itchiness is lessened. There are many alternatives to MTX that are just as or more effective. Hugs, Deborah On 5/13/07, emhenry2002 <emhenry2002@...> wrote: My skin is dry and very itchy all yr round. I scratch it so badlythat I have scabs all over me. Used to be only winter, but now is yrround. Iwondered if it is RA or RA meds that might contribute tothis. I have been on mtx for many yrs, also embrel. Anyone w/ similar situation? I have also wondered if a water softener would make adifference.Thanks,Margie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 I've had the same problem myself! My legs and arms especially. I kept going from one dermatologists to another without an answer. Finally the last one I saw said it was folliculitus (sp?). Basically it means that the skin does not shed itself naturally. The dead skin cells rather that fall off stay in and clog the pores. I started using a loofah brush. My skin got worse before it got better. I also find that lotions and things like that seem to make my skin itchier and only clogs the pores worse. -------Original Message------- From: emhenry2002 Date: 5/13/2007 10:59:37 AM Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: dry skin My skin is dry and very itchy all yr round. I scratch it so badlythat I have scabs all over me. Used to be only winter, but now is yrround. Iwondered if it is RA or RA meds that might contribute tothis. I have been on mtx for many yrs, also embrel. Anyone w/ similarsituation? I have also wondered if a water softener would make adifference.Thanks,Margie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2007 Report Share Posted May 21, 2007 Hi All, My skin is doing very strange things as well. I have little crusty looking bumps all over my arms and legs. Nothing surprises me anymore. My hubby and I are having a little r & r on the lake, and I came home for a bit to go to church and to do the laundry. I am having alot of trouble getting the ole stress level down, so we got in our rv and went to the lake because it seems that nature and water seems to calm me. I need to get a laptop so that I can keep up with yu all. lol Hugs from Ok., Gloria> > My skin is dry and very itchy all yr round.> Anyone w/ similar situation?> > Ardeith writes: My rheumy says RA can affect every organ in our bodies, and> the skin is the largest organ. The skin that was exposed to the weather> most...my lower arms and legs below the knee is itchy, and flakey.....year> round. If I don't use something like benedryl cream, I will scratch till I> break the skin....just like you.> > My skin is also very fragile. You can run your fingernail down my arm,> without breaking the skin, and break the little capillaries under the skin,> raising a long blood- blister that looks awful. The slightest little bump> will do the same. My rheumy says the fragility comes from many years on> aspirin and cortisone-type drugs...> Ardy> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 Hi Gloria, Are the spots itchy? Do you take Methotrexate? Since taking mtx I have an allergy to the sun now. Especially on my arms. When exposed to the sun for a very very short time I get itchy red bumps on my arms. I havent found anything that really helps yet. I use shea butter lotion on my skin daily and it seems to help a bit. Especially after exposure to the sun. Not even sunscreen has prevented it from happening. My doc says to wear long sleeves but there is no way I can do that in the middle of summer when I am burning up anyway. Hope this helps. glokay20022002 <glokay20022002@...> wrote: Hi All, My skin is doing very strange things as well. I have little crusty looking bumps all over my arms and legs. Nothing surprises me anymore. My hubby and I are having a little r & r on the lake, and I came home for a bit to go to church and to do the laundry. I am having alot of trouble getting the ole stress level down, so we got in our rv and went to the lake because it seems that nature and water seems to calm me. I need to get a laptop so that I can keep up with yu all. lol Hugs from Ok., Gloria> > My skin is dry and very itchy all yr round.> Anyone w/ similar situation?> > Ardeith writes: My rheumy says RA can affect every organ in our bodies, and> the skin is the largest organ. The skin that was exposed to the weather> most...my lower arms and legs below the knee is itchy, and flakey.....year> round. If I don't use something like benedryl cream, I will scratch till I> break the skin....just like you.> > My skin is also very fragile. You can run your fingernail down my arm,> without breaking the skin, and break the little capillaries under the skin,> raising a long blood- blister that looks awful. The slightest little bump> will do the same. My rheumy says the fragility comes from many years on> aspirin and cortisone-type drugs...> Ardy> Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 Hi everyone- Since MTX can cause dermatologic symptoms because after all it is chemotherapy, using a steriod cream can help or a calamine lotion. I use Aveeno Anti Itch and it really helps alot. I havent been out in the sun for ever. Its amazing how aging shows from past exposure in those sun spots after 40. I am 46 now and am try ing to fade them on my face but having little luck. I have to go out in the sunlight for 20 minutes to absorb vitamin D but thats really it. I dont go outside until much later in the day anyway so risk of sunburn passed after 5pm. Hugs, Deborah On 5/21/07, <angelac71@...> wrote: Hi Gloria, Are the spots itchy? Do you take Methotrexate? Since taking mtx I have an allergy to the sun now. Especially on my arms. When exposed to the sun for a very very short time I get itchy red bumps on my arms. I havent found anything that really helps yet. I use shea butter lotion on my skin daily and it seems to help a bit. Especially after exposure to the sun. Not even sunscreen has prevented it from happening. My doc says to wear long sleeves but there is no way I can do that in the middle of summer when I am burning up anyway. Hope this helps. glokay20022002 <glokay20022002 > wrote: Hi All, My skin is doing very strange things as well. I have little crusty looking bumps all over my arms and legs. Nothing surprises me anymore. My hubby and I are having a little r & r on the lake, and I came home for a bit to go to church and to do the laundry. I am having alot of trouble getting the ole stress level down, so we got in our rv and went to the lake because it seems that nature and water seems to calm me. I need to get a laptop so that I can keep up with yu all. lol Hugs from Ok., Gloria> > My skin is dry and very itchy all yr round.> Anyone w/ similar situation?> > Ardeith writes: My rheumy says RA can affect every organ in our bodies, and> the skin is the largest organ. The skin that was exposed to the weather > most...my lower arms and legs below the knee is itchy, and flakey.....year> round. If I don't use something like benedryl cream, I will scratch till I> break the skin....just like you.> > My skin is also very fragile. You can run your fingernail down my arm,> without breaking the skin, and break the little capillaries under the skin,> raising a long blood- blister that looks awful. The slightest little bump > will do the same. My rheumy says the fragility comes from many years on> aspirin and cortisone-type drugs...> Ardy> Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 Thank you . I am sorry that it has taken me so long to respond. I have been at the lake for 3 wks. There have been so very many stressful things happen in my life the past month that my hubby thought that the lake would be good. The spots that I have are raised and crusty like a wart, but are not warts. Just weird. I will try the shea butter. I have some from bath and body so I will put it to use. Hugs, Gloria <angelac71@...> wrote: Hi Gloria, Are the spots itchy? Do you take Methotrexate? Since taking mtx I have an allergy to the sun now. Especially on my arms. When exposed to the sun for a very very short time I get itchy red bumps on my arms. I havent found anything that really helps yet. I use shea butter lotion on my skin daily and it seems to help a bit. Especially after exposure to the sun. Not even sunscreen has prevented it from happening. My doc says to wear long sleeves but there is no way I can do that in the middle of summer when I am burning up anyway. Hope this helps. glokay20022002 <glokay20022002 > wrote: Hi All, My skin is doing very strange things as well. I have little crusty looking bumps all over my arms and legs. Nothing surprises me anymore. My hubby and I are having a little r & r on the lake, and I came home for a bit to go to church and to do the laundry. I am having alot of trouble getting the ole stress level down, so we got in our rv and went to the lake because it seems that nature and water seems to calm me. I need to get a laptop so that I can keep up with yu all. lol Hugs from Ok., Gloria> > My skin is dry and very itchy all yr round.> Anyone w/ similar situation?> > Ardeith writes: My rheumy says RA can affect every organ in our bodies, and> the skin is the largest organ. The skin that was exposed to the weather> most...my lower arms and legs below the knee is itchy, and flakey.....year> round. If I don't use something like benedryl cream, I will scratch till I> break the skin....just like you.> > My skin is also very fragile. You can run your fingernail down my arm,> without breaking the skin, and break the little capillaries under the skin,> raising a long blood- blister that looks awful. The slightest little bump> will do the same. My rheumy says the fragility comes from many years on> aspirin and cortisone-type drugs...> Ardy> Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out. Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join 's user panel and lay it on us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2007 Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 You could also try some Honey....here's an insert about Honey ....... As a humectant, honey draws moisture into the skin, making it a good choice for dry skin sufferers. It also has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and help thwart acne flare ups. " Honey is good for all skin types. It is the purest beauty ingredient available today, " says Watt. " Literally, it goes from the hive to the bottle. " -- .-.. .-.. ( o )_( o ) __ / '-' '-' \ __ / / " \ \ | \ \___/ / | \ \`-. ____ .-' / / - ' /\ /\ '-. ( (_// (_ _) \\_) ) frogge ºÜº http://www.myspace.com/froggelady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2007 Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 I tend to drink tea with honey every night. I love it. I really think it helps my skin and my overall health as its a free radical scavenger. Hugs, Deborah On 6/1/07, Frogge <lilypadluxuries@...> wrote: You could also try some Honey....here's an insert about Honey ....... As a humectant, honey draws moisture into the skin, making it a good choice for dry skin sufferers. It also has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and help thwart acne flare ups. " Honey is good for all skin types. It is the purest beauty ingredient available today, " says Watt. " Literally, it goes from the hive to the bottle. " -- .-.. .-.. ( o )_( o ) __ / '-' '-' \ __ / / " \ \ | \ \___/ / | \ \`-. ____ .-' / / - ' /\ /\ '-. ( (_// (_ _) \\_) ) frogge ºÜº http://www.myspace.com/froggelady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2007 Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 OK....I'm confused. Is using honey in tea as good for the skin as just rubbing it on the skin? Ardy ----- Original Message ----- From: Deborah Bargad Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2007 12:56 PM Subject: Re: Re: dry skin I tend to drink tea with honey every night. I love it. I really think it helps my skin and my overall health as its a free radical scavenger. Hugs, Deborah On 6/1/07, Frogge <lilypadluxuries@...> wrote: You could also try some Honey....here's an insert about Honey ....... As a humectant, honey draws moisture into the skin, making it a good choice for dry skin sufferers. It also has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and help thwart acne flare ups. "Honey is good for all skin types. It is the purest beauty ingredient available today," says Watt. "Literally, it goes from the hive to the bottle." -- .-.. .-.. ( o )_( o ) __ / '-' '-' \ __ / / " \ \ | \ \___/ / | \ \`-. ____ .-' / / - ' /\ /\ '-. ( (_// (_ _) \\_) ) frogge ºÜº http://www.myspace.com/froggelady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Ohhhh ...sorry......I was talking about for the skin via the outside. I'm on a list where the discussion was masks and dry skin etc. Honey was brought up. Apply to damp skin, let set as you would any mask, and wash off gently with warm water. Unless you have allergies....can't hurt to try I know lots of people use Honey as their sweetner instead of sugar.... Carla -- .-.. .-.. ( o )_( o ) __ / '-' '-' \ __ / / " \ \ | \ \___/ / | \ \`-. ____ .-' / / - ' /\ /\ '-. ( (_// (_ _) \\_) ) frogge ºÜº http://www.myspace.com/froggelady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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