Very dry skin.

[Collette]

Hi, Anyone else got really dry skin? it has been alot worse the past year or so (dont know why)

I can only use 'Dove' products as anything else makes my skin feel like its on fire or really itchy.

What products do you use?

thanks

Collette

[rzrbks]

This time of year has always been bad for me.

1. Dry heat from the furnace combined with the temps in this part of the world......wind chill factors in the -40- -60C range

2. Hard water--a wonderful indulgence is to spend several hours in the bath with a new book and the fact that the mineral content of the water is so high--drys skin out

3. Hot showers also dry skin out as well


also, thinking back on when I first began to show sign of Diabetes, but didn't of applying the dx to me, I know I was having trouble with the skin on my fingers particularly.

[HeatherP]

Collette,

Everything Rzrbks said is correct. I noticed about a year or two into the diabetes that my skin was drying out. I've heard it's a possible side-effect of the insulin, but I couldn't say for sure. I use Aveeno products and Eucerin. I know Almay makes hypo-allergenic products- you may want to try them. Also, pay attention to the bottoms of your feet - I moisturize every day w/a product called Dermal Therapy (FOR HEELS). If you go Bayer.com, you can order it directly. It comes in a 2 oz jar - make sure you get the heel care, because they make other product that aren't as good (in my opinion).

[lgvincent]

Yes, I have MAJOR problems with dry skin too. I remember when I was small how my hands would crack and bleed. At the time, I'd stick them in water to get them wet again. I didn't know about washing away the oils on the skin. Only when I got older did I learn about things to help with the dry skin. Petroleum jelly works best for me but it's really messy if you're not careful with it.

[Collette]

Thanks for your replies.

Heather, you may be right with the connection with using insulin.

I used to have absolutely no problems with my skin and now im going through pots of cream, and im afraid i dont take care of my feet as much as i probably do.


Thanks, i think im going to learn quite a bit from this site.

Collette.

[rzrbks]

When it's bath and book time, I use some additive to the water and that seems to help quite a bit--feel lke a "girly-man" sometimes--oh, well I'm stroger for the suffering :D

[Collette]

Nowt wrong with feeling like a 'girly-man'.:whistling

what additives are you torturing yourself with then?

Igvincent, i use protroleum jelly on my lips but havent thought to use it on my body.

[Belinda]

4. things that work for me

1. Vaseline comes in a creamy formula and it is not messy.

2. Dr. Scholls has an overnight foot moisturizer that is good

3. Bath and Body works has some oils that help (alittle pricey 20.00 but lots of scents)

and last but not least...my favorite is a mixture I mix up!!!

1 bottle of Johnson's baby lotion (pink bottle)

1 small jar of vaseline (3.5 oz I think)
empty the lotion and vaseline in a bowl and then add then fill the vaseline container with mineral oil.

Mix all together very well and store in a rubbermaid/tupperware bowl.

Sounds crazy but this works really well .

[Collette]

Thanks for that Belinda. :)

[lgvincent]

I might have to try that. I don't believe my skin can get any drier than it is right now and allow me to live to tell about it.

[Musqua]

Hi everyone:

I have the same problem as most of you. I was told to stay away from alcohol based creams as they really dry out your hand. Its just like using waterless hand cleanser. I hace to wash my hands at least 15 to 20 times a day because of my job. The hand creams we use aren't very good for diabetics. The gloves we also use are no good. :(

Heather W. (Your Canadian friend)

[notme]

Hi Collette,

I have been plagued with dry skin in the past, but have found a couple of products that work for me. First, using lotions and creams is a good short term fix, but long term you need to fix your dry skin from the inside out. I started using Evening Primrose oil 1,300mg per day. I also take Vitamin E oil. This has helped me immensely with my dry skin. I live in California where there is NO humidity so there is no help there. Evening Primrose Oil will help your dry skin, hair and nails. It sure has worked for me. Also if you have any cracks in your hands you can bite open one of the vitamin E caplets and use the oil to help treat the cracks. If you do this before bed at night it will stay on the dry areas all night and you will find a huge difference. For everyday lotion (ok no cracks here) I use a product called "NO CRACK" from Restoration Hardware. I actually bought it for my mother who never used it and I swiped it back. I use it every night now on my hands and feet. It is WONDERFUL! If you don't have a Restoration Hardware near you, you can buy it online at http://www.restorationhardware.com/page.jhtml?type=product&categoryId=cat160084&id=92 Hope this helps. It sure helped me.

Nancy

[Collette]

Thanks Nancy, i will try it. :D

[Jon]

Hey Nancy, maybe you could tell me where you get that "No Crack" stuff. I have a few plumber friends that could use some for Christmas! J/K:D

[rzrbks]

Collette
Nowt wrong with feeling like a 'girly-man'.

what additives are you torturing yourself with then?


Mostly with Calgon, I can truly feel a difference--I don't feel like my skin is breaking now

I am going to try just adding water softener and see how that goes.

[Collette]

LOL @ Jon :D

[Jenny]

Collette,
I have had skin problems for the last 2-3 years. I had boils for over a year that wouldn't go away even with antibiotics and I also have develped eczema.....and really dry itchy skin all over......
I use a prescription cream called Elocon for the eczema
Jenny

[Collette]

Thanks Jenny.

Itchy skin is a right pain especially when your trying to sleep. :(

[webpundit]

Originally posted by Jenny
I have had skin problems for the last 2-3 years. I had boils for over a year that wouldn't go away even with antibiotics and I also have develped eczema.....and really dry itchy skin all over......
I use a prescription cream called Elocon for the eczema
Jenny

Hi Jenny,

I've lived with eczema for a long time, and it really seemed like nothing seemed to work. Then I came across Cetaphil. It's packaging is really misleading and I'd been ignoring it so far because it seemed like one of those questionable products. But anyway, not only is it affordable it has worked wonders for me. I rarely have to use the prescription ointment my dermatologist gave me...I only use it like once a month or so. I use the entire Cetaphil regimen...i.e. use the Cetaphil soap for bathing, the face cleanser for face washes and the moisturisers (with and without sunscreen) for my face and body. It's really good and I think everybody, eczema sufferer or not, should use it. I believe it's pretty natural with no harmful and cosmetic additives.

Hope that helps

-WP

[EdnBama]

Hi, Collette ...

Is your bg under good control?

I didn't know about the relationship between out of control bg and dry skin until after I was diagnosed.

I was probably diabetic much longer than I thought because of how far back I can remember having dry, cracking skin that I just could not moisturize no matter how hard I tried.

There is a hand cream put out by Avon that did some good ... but nothing really worked for any sufficient period of time.

Once I got my bg under control, though, the dryness went away and I now have my softer skin back! [Being a bureaucrat, I don't have much opportunity to roughen up my skin. :whistling ]

My last two A1C's were 4.7 and 5.0 ... down from 11 when I was first dx'd.

--Ed

[Collette]

Could have a very good point there Ednbama ;)