Dead skin and advice please

[chriscavell]

Hi all

For years Ive had really itchy legs (and not just when I have hair growing back). Basically my legs arent particularly dry but when I scratch its almost like dust flying everywhere and gets under my nails.
Its worse in the summer (I guess due to heat), there are no rashes or other signs of a reaction on the skin.
I moisturise everyday but nothing seems to help.

Any suggestions, advice would be greatly received.

Thanks

 

[Martin Duffy]

If there's dust flying everywhere then you are shedding dead skin cells, which could mean you have some sort of contact dermatitis/eczema/psoriasis or that you have very dry or dehydrated skin which can also be itchy. I would first go to the doctor & check it's not the former, and if it's the latter then do you exfoliate your legs at all?

 

[chriscavell]

Hi
Yes I exfoliate once a week (maily because Im trying to avoid ingrown hairs). The only place I get eczema is on my arms.

 

[gillian w]

Does sound like more of a medical type of condition as Martin says than just your run of the mill dry skin.Thats not to say a good professional moisturiser wouldn't help.I presume you may have tried all the usual over the counter or prescribed moisturisers ..oilatum,emulsiderm etc the usual ones for eczema sufferers.
Have a look at your diet,maybe you could do with a fish oil supplement.If you eat a very low fat diet ,dry skin can sometimes be a problem.
Vegetable oil based products penetrate the skin much better than mineral oils so look for these.

 

[chriscavell]

Hi

Yeah tried E45 etc etc even tried baby oil on the skin before moisturising.
I was told as a child that it was something to do with a reaction to my dog, since shes been gone for 10 years I seriously doubt that was it.
The doctors have done tests before but nothings come out of it.