Drug stores are full of lotions, salves, and moisturizing soaps. Apply the lotion to drier areas of the skin several times a day. For extremely dry areas, like the joints, thicker moisturizers are needed. Basically, this is dry skin caused by low environmental humidity and the removal of oil from the skin by hot showers and harsh soaps. The dry skin in this condition doesn t have to be severe to cause considerable itching.
Chapped lips are also very common.
Some people inherit a tendency for dry skin, which can be worsened by the low humidity and other factors in the winter. If your hands are frequently exposed to water or irritating cleansers or detergents, hand eczema is a likely result. Dry skin treatments have changed minimally over the past 10 years. More recently, moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy acids have become quite popular and can effectively treat even the driest skin without the greasiness associated with some older moisturizers. The alpha hydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids found in certain fruits.