Constantly dry skin and irritation

[ghost recon88]

My forehead and nose constantly have dry skin, I'm not entirely sure why exactly. During the summer I could see it getting burnt and peeling, but not during the fall, winter, and spring as well. Also, I have patches of red that sometimes break out, and they go away after a while. Any idea on over the counter lotions or something I can use to get the flaking and red irritation under control? I guess I could go to the doctor, but that would be awful expensive for something like this :\

I do shower daily, and I remember hearing that taking a shower too often can actually dry out your skin? :hmm:

 

[kamper]

Have you tried anything with hydrocortisone? It works well, although only temporarily, for me. I get very similar irritated patches.

 

[rcpratt]

Yup, happens to me in the winter a bit. Cortisol cream works like a charm.

 

[HN]

long showers, especially hot ones, will end up drying your skin. that's why you see it happen more often in colder months.

has to do with stripping of natural oils on your skin which then allows water/moisture in skin to escape.

 

[ghost recon88]

Have you tried anything with hydrocortisone? It works well, although only temporarily, for me. I get very similar irritated patches.

No I haven't. Is that for the dry skin, or redness?

Yup, happens to me in the winter a bit. Cortisol cream works like a charm.

For the dry skin, or red patches?

long showers, especially hot ones, will end up drying your skin. that's why you see it happen more often in colder months.

has to do with stripping of natural oils on your skin which then allows water/moisture in skin to escape.

Yea I do take long showers, maybe I need to shorten them up a bit.

 

[kamper]

No I haven't. Is that for the dry skin, or redness?

They're the same for me. Gets red and then dries out and flakes a bit. If it gets to that point, hydrocortisone takes few days of regular application to completely clear it up, but using it daily is also preventative. I hate that I have to always have it around, but I've been too lazy to look for something permanent. I think I'd actually have to see a doctor for that.

 

[rcpratt]

Yeah, red and dry generally go together, and it seems to treat both. And hydrocortisone, cortisol, cortizone, it's all the same stuff.

It only took 3 days or so to clear up for me (it wasn't quite as dry as yours looks, though). Now I just use it once a week or so.

 

[ghost recon88]

Alright I'll get some hydrocortisone and test it out. Any certain brand you recommend?

 

[kamper]

I use Cortate. Unfortunately I find it difficult to find the cream version and the ointment version is kinda greasy. The cream is nicer than other creams I've tried though.

Afaict, pretty much all brands have the medicinal content, the only difference is the stuff they put it in and how convenient it is to apply.

 

[edcarman]

You could use a cortisone cream to clear it up but don't use it daily on a regular basis: most of the cortisone creams I've come across warn against using them for longer than 7 days continuously.

I also tend to get itchy skin during winter. My face can also get particularly itchy a day or two after I've shaved. For me, the easiest way to prevent it is to use a moisturising lotion after I shower and to use a moisturising aftershave.

 

[jeffers6930]

Looks to me as though there may be a possibilty that you might just have a touch of Eczema on your face.Do not use Hydrocortisone cream for a long period,apply a good moisturiser regularly and i also suggest that you visit your doctor.The doc may well prescribe you an antibiotic cream to help clear it up.
Hope it clears soon.

 

[shortylickens]

1: Use moisturizing body wash and then add some lotion or something after you are done showering.

2: See doctor.