Patches of very dry skin?

[pickles]

Is this a problem for anyone?  I have patches of VERY dry skin that are drying me crazy.  My shoulders are the latest spot.  O matter how much lotion I put on several times a day, there are times that I just want to scratch it raw.  Any suggestions anyone can give?

[mshistory]

Itchy rashes always have me reaching for a steroid cream. In this house, we have plenty ranging from over the counter hydrocortisone to triam. I would first use an over the counter hydrocortisone cream, let it soak in for about five minutes, then apply a layer of CeraVe moistuirizing cream. I would do this three times a day until the patch clears up, then just keep up with the CeraVe cream or other ceramide cream at least once daily, but definitely within three minutes of getting out of a bath or shower.

Also, don't rub your skin after bathing - just gently pat off the excess water, then immediately apply a thick cream like CeraVe - it will help to trap the moisture to your skin (we with SjS should follow a similar skin care routine to those with eczema, and I am all too familiar with the latter since both of my daughters have eczema).

Here's some great skin care tips (just ignore the advertising - like for Cetaphil; I've never been a fan, and we've tried many products over the years to keep our children's skin healthy). http://www.nationaleczema.org/living-with-eczema/bathing-moisturizing

HTH!

[Piebird]

Have you looked a pictures on the web to see if it is eczema or psoriasis?

That's what our family gets.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-common-adult-skin-problems

[quilt4fun]

  My fore arms and shins have dry skin blotches--they' re flesh colored and indented and  have tight lines.   I use Aquaphor  on them, it does help  relieve the discomfort, but doesn't get rid of them.  Little by little they get larger and join together.   

When I"m in the sun, they will hurt.  Can't explain why, that's just the way it is.  that's a question I will ask Dr. Vivino in a couple of weeks -- along with several others.