Dry, Cracked Skin...strange solution?

[Jen_in_NH]

I use Bag Balm - you can get it at any grain or feed store. It's great for dry skin, as well as minor cuts / abrasions / etc.

Jen

 

[figment52]

The vaseline idea is good. I have horribly dry, itchy winter skin. Mostly on my legs. I have tried so much and nothing really works - not even Hydrocortisone Cream.

I may try the Vaseline idea - with leggings or something similar.

Olay makes a product now that you put on in the shower and then rinse off and pat dry. May legs used to be real dry and flakey and then I found this stuff, tried it and now my legs are not dry any more.

 

[Bashful2]

Cod liver oil! Yuk!!! I remember, as a child, I had to take that nasty tasting stuff every morning for some reason I still don't know. Does it still taste so bad? If so, I don't think I could do it even though I'm desperate for something to help my legs.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

My DD's feet were so dry they looked like they would crack. The pediatrician told us to put crsico on them. He said he could presecribe an expensive cream from the pharmacy but crisco solid would work just as well. And it does.

 

[Conkozan]

Zim's Crack Creme! I swear by it http://www.drugstore.com/qxp79314_332828_sespider/zims/crack_creme_creamy_daytime_formula.htm

 

[Tinijocaro]

Cod liver oil! Yuk!!! I remember, as a child, I had to take that nasty tasting stuff every morning for some reason I still don't know. Does it still taste so bad? If so, I don't think I could do it even though I'm desperate for something to help my legs.

We used Carlson's Lemon flavored Cod Lover Oil for DD. She called it her Lemon Oil and took it without compaint. It does hav a slightly fishy aftertaste but isn't bad. It's the olily texture that gets me, not the flavor.

Jackie

 

[Janet Hill]

My husband who is diabtetic and gets extremly dry hands and feet swears by the Burt's Bees products. His doc told him to stay away from any creams or lotions that contain alcohol.

 

[Christine]

We used Carlson's Lemon flavored Cod Lover Oil for DD. She called it her Lemon Oil and took it without compaint. It does hav a slightly fishy aftertaste but isn't bad. It's the olily texture that gets me, not the flavor.

Jackie

You can get these things in gel capsules--usually at Whole Foods although I don't know if they sell Carlson's brand there. Nordic Naturals is another very good brand and can be order on-line or purchased at whole foods.

"They" say that many of these dry skin problems we have are the result of an omega-3 fatty acid shortage in the western diet. Supplementing with omega-3s can help clear some of this up. Cod Liver Oil is an omega-3. Dr. Andrew Weil suggests taking regular omega-3 oils during most of the year and then switching to Cod Liver Oil for the winter months only (it contains Vitamin D which we are in short supply of in the winter). He says that taking Cod Liver Oil during the summer months *may* cause too much Vitamin D.

Anyway, you can buy all this fish oil as supplements but it does take at least 8 weeks to get a good response.

 

[Snowysmom]

For cracked heels and dry skin on the feet, I use the foot cream from Bath and Body Works called Shea it isn't so. It works great. No more dry cracked heels.

 

[tiggerlover]

A co-worker of mine gave me an express spa treatment and gift cetificate from a company called BeautiControl and I have to say they have some wonderful products for hands and feet. After my express spa treatment I bought their Show of Hands Instant Manicure and Age Defying Hand Treatment and both have softened my dry hands to be like soft baby skin. The Instant Manicure is made of natural oils and sea salt and it exfoliates dead skin and moisturizes them as well. I usually do my hands and a little past my wrists and it is wonderful. I then finish off with the age defying lotion and my hands have never felt better. I know they have products for the feet too, however I haven't bought them yet, they are next on my list. The products aren't cheap, but are well worth it. The two products above cost a litte over $40 together, but they are wonderful.

 

[golfgal]

I also use a crazy glue -like product called New Skin. It seals the cracks and allows them to heal.

New Skin stings like crazy though. Super Glue doesn't.

 

[lovingthemouse]

I have gotten the original Bag Balm cream at my local CVS pharmacy - they do not keep it on the shelves, or have not in the past - i ask the pharmacist or assistant for it. Call ahead and see if your local CVS might have it.

 

[Christine]

For cracked heels and dry skin on the feet, I use the foot cream from Bath and Body Works called Shea it isn't so. It works great. No more dry cracked heels.

I bought this too and it did nothing for me. Go figure.

 

[bicker]

I use Nexcare -- doesn't sting at all.

 

[gr8ful4Him]

My Great Grandma used to Pee on her hands
to prevent cracking
I however have never tried it

Oh my!
I'm not sure I'd admit to trying that even if I did!
...and to think I thought that my solution was strange! This by far is the strangest thing I've ever heard!

 

[wdw4us]

My hands arent't oo bad, I make sure I wear gloves in the winter even tho my hands are rarely cold.

I use the vaseline on my heels and put socks on my feet. I also have one of those scrubbers from Dr. Shoal.

To Avoid all of this every day after I get out of the shower I dry between my toes with toilet paper and then I spray them with foot spray to keep them DRY and cream my heels to keep them moist. What a lot of work for my feet. But it beats going to bed with sandpaper heels or having my toes crack.

denise

 

[SueM in MN]

My Great Grandma used to Pee on her hands
to prevent cracking
I however have never tried it

Actually, a lot of the dry skin formula lotions use urea. They say things like "contains 10% urea, which is a moisturiser and peeling agent", but guess where urea comes from?

 

[C.Ann]

Zim's Crack Creme! I swear by it http://www.drugstore.com/qxp79314_332828_sespider/zims/crack_creme_creamy_daytime_formula.htm

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I'll second that! Awesome stuff..

 

[Snoozan]

My new combo for my dry, itchy winter skin is the in-shower Olay Body lotion - for extra dry skin and than slather on a heavy duty moisturizing lotion. Now I hardly get the dry, itchy shins and my arms have never been so smooth! I hardly have to use cortisone on my legs now, which makes me very happy.

 

[mickeyfan2]

My Great Grandma used to Pee on her hands
to prevent cracking
I however have never tried it

Actually your Great Grandmother is correct. The Urea in urine is a human protein that helps skin to heal. I use Eucerin with the green cap. It works great.