Sleep with cotton gloves and booties with vaseline or the "non-petroleum jelly" or the strongest mosturizer for hands and feet that you can find. I am a big fan of L'Occitane products. You may need to see a dermatologist. If they green light you, have regular manicures and pedicures. I have been sleeping with gloves and vaseline since I was a kid because my hands chapped so easily.
Lily, I'm in the same boat. I have a kind of seasonal eczema, my skin is always very dry,but at change of season it gets dry,scaly, painful and can crack and bleed. I recently read that if your diet is missing essential fatty acids you can have problems with hair, nails and skin. I've added an Omega 3-6-9 supplement to my diet about a month ago and am already noticing a great improvement in my skin and my nails are stronger. There are many available and you can get a 30 day supply for about $8 or $9.
Have you tried a paraffin dip? There are sets that you can do at home that help soothe and soften extremely dry skin, but I'd suggest letting your hands and feet soak in a warm bath and then giving yourself a good scrub with a soft-bristled brush to slough off the dead skin. As soon as you're done, slather on the lotion - the thickest kind you can find that's fragrance free - and let it seep in. I think you'll see some results that way.
When my hands and feet get dry it is really hard to concentrate on anything else. Sometimes I feel like and addict chasing my lotion. I not only have lotion on my desk but also on my night table, in the car and in my purse. I have actually rubbed Olive oil into my hands or feet and then wrapped them in plastic wrap and a warm towel. It is a nice treat to do this and hop into bed a bit early with a good book. Hey, a girl can dream can't she?
I have been struggling with very rough, dry skin on my hands and especially my feet for years now. Sometimes it gets so bad that my skin flakes off. I keep a big bottle of store brand lotion on my desk, but it's really only a temporary fix. I really would like to find something that will have a more long lasting effect, maybe something natural or alternative. I am very sensitive to scented lotions and cosmetics so I tend to avoid those. Any one have any ideas? Thanks!
