I didn't quite know what title I should give this thread but for the past two weeks I have had a dry patch of skin on my face. It is about the size of a quarter. I have tried everything that I thought would help but it's still there. Do any of you have any ideas for me try? Thank you in advance.

I think I'd recommend a dermatologist at this point, JoJo. Especially since you've tried everything else you can think of to try. It could be just an allergy or something, but a derm would be able to give you something that would work quickly and more permanently. If nothing else, at least call one - even if you don't actually see him. He could give you advice over the phone.

If it's just dry and not itchy then something like E45 or Diprobase is what they prescribe for the dryness of eczema skin - and should do the trick.

If it's dry and itchy try Hydrocortisone 0.5% cream to take the itch and redness down.

However, I'd go to the docs - just to get a more specific diagnosis, and possibly a better remedy.

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Little girls become young women, little boys have the job for life.

Thank you. I am unable to go to the doctor at this particular time in my life that is why I am looking for some home remedies to try. It seems to be clearing up some. It did itch for about a day or two but now it is just a dry spot.

Does it itch Jo? Or just dry..Hey try butter...Just plain old reg butter. Do not let Jackie lick it off though. The itching my just be from the dryness.

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Sandalwood's Cosmic Creations: Working with the magic of love....

Home remedies are good to a point, but if something like this has lasted over a week despite various treatments, it may be time to get more professional help. I know someone who had the same thing you describe who had a skin condition that needed to be treated medically. It finally cleared up after about 6 months of really intense treatment with a prescription, but it was hard going until she finally got real help. Granted, yours may be something more minor, but it's telling that nothing's worked after all this time.

Hey Jo,
I know not all of us are able to access medical advise all the time. We're without insurance right now & I too would hesitate to go to a Doc for some itchy, dry skin.

You don't mention what you have tried so I'll throw some out.

Tried cortosone cream yet? It sells over the counter in a lower strength than the Doc would prescribe but may help.

The other thing that I've used is triple-antibiotic ointment (Neo-Sporin). I found, quite by accident, that it does a great job of moisturizing & healing dry skin. I was puting some on some scrapes and had to much out of the tube, so I rubbed it on my dry elbows. Voila!! Next morning no more dry skin!

The other thing I would suggest, for any non-emergency medical situation is to talk to your pharmicist. They are very knowledgeable. In the past I had one that helped me get rid of pink-eye with an over-the-counter(OTC) eye rinse.

Just last year she pointed out that there was an OTC shampoo(at a lesser strength) that may help as much as the much more expensive prescription!

Hope this helps!

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You can tell the quality of a person by how they treat people they don't need.

Thanks! Let's see what I have tried so far... vaseline, honey, vitamin E. Now I have a hydrocortisone cream on it. I just found my Neo-Sporin, so I will try that next. I'll keep you posted on the results. It just started itching again this morning and it sure it hard not to scratch it. Thanks for the all the tips.

JoJo, do you have any Polysporin? Try that.

A neighbor who was also a dermatologist said that they really discourage people from using Neosporin (too many people have weird reactions to it), but that POLYsporin is really good.

Does it itch? I would think that that fact might determine what you'd want to use (for goodness sakes, don't itch! That makes it even more miserable!)

See if you can get some DesOwen (Desonide Lotion). That has helped me with a dry rash on my arm before. And, took away the itching pronto.

I will have to check my medicine cabinet and see what I have. It is getting harder not to scratch it so I guess I will have to buy some DesOwen (Desonide Lotion). Thanks a bunch! Doesn't it drive you crazy when you have an itch and you can't scratch it. Yikes!! It's driving me nuts. LOL!

quote:

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Doesn't it drive you crazy when you have an itch and you can't scratch it.

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And, even more horrible if that itch is right in the middle of your back where you can't reach it!!! ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!

LOL! Hey, that looks just like me right now, olive skin and everything.

See if any of these symptoms apply:
http://www.completediy.com/doctor/s_itchyskin_c4.htm

[This message has been edited by Linda1 (edited 09-12-2000).]

Oh, my goodness. I just thought of something, JoJo. Have you had chickenpox at any point in your life? Could this be shingles? Are you noticing any raised bumps? Any drainage/oozing out of the spot?

Yes, I have had chickenpox. I have two scares on my face to prove it. LOL I know zip about shingles so I don't know how to answer that one.

I just saw your link. I am checking it out now. Thanks

[This message has been edited by JoJo2 (edited 09-12-2000).]

This is a pretty good overview of shingles - came from the NIH (National Institute of Health) Fact Sheet:
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/shinglesFS.htm

Not saying this is what you have, but it's a possibility worth being aware of. And, don't let age throw you off. It seems that, for some strange reason, more people are getting shingles than previously - and at a younger age. In fact, one of my coworkers (age 41) was diagnosed today.

In case you want more info, here's the site where I got that link. It's MedLine: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/shinglesherpeszoster.html

[This message has been edited by Linda1 (edited 09-12-2000).]

Thank you Linda.

I have been keeping my face very clean, except I am not using any soap on it for fear of alergies. I am still using the hydrocortisone cream on it and the itching seems to have ceased and it looks like it might be clearing up. The redness is also gone. Keep your fingers crossed and thanks again to all of you for your help.

Good, JoJo. I'm glad some of the itching is going away. Staying away from soap is probably one of the best things you can do - you don't want to irritate it any more than it is. Plus, you need to make sure it's not an allergy to the soap itself. You're going to make me cross everything again like I did for Donnar, though, aren't you? Well, here goes again:

LOL! Well, it looks like the hydrocortisone cream did the trick. The little patch of skin doesn't feel quite as soft as the rest of my face but it's getting there. Thanks again.

With the weather starting to cool off, dry, chapped skin will start to give us more problems. Keep in mind, that although a soothing hot bath or shower may feel wonderful, the hotter the water, the bigger the chance of drying out your skin. If you have dry, cracked heels, I hope the following tip will help you.

1. Soak feet in warm water.
2. Mix 1/4 cup of olive oil & 2 spoons of sugar.
3. Make a paste & add more oil if needed.
4. Apply the paste to the feet, concentrating on the dry, chapped areas.
5. Use a loofah, or scrubber and vigorously rub down the feet and heel.
6. Rinse, dry and apply lotion.
7. Once you are done, put Vaseline on you feet and throw on a pair of cotton socks, sleep in them if you can, if not, keep the socks on at least a half hour. Do this twice a week. On the days you don't give yourself this treatment, apply lotion every day and your feet will look and feel better.