I know what you mean. I've had to use Balmax because the dryness and itching is so bad, and it helps me. I figured that it worked so well when my sons were babies, that it could do the same for me.

I'm like pearl240, only the brand I know is called Bepanthen. Can be bought at the supermarket or chemist and is marketed mostly for babycare. Comes in a tube and is soothing, a really good moisturiser and has added Vit E. Not expensive and a little goes a long way. Good luck finding something that helps Ssusie. Cheers

Why don't you try a food supplement instead. Udo's oil is what I use. They say you know you getting enough Essential Fatty Acids when your skin is soft and silky. You can buy it from the refigerated section of a good health food store. Normaly 1 Tablespoon for every 50 pounds that you weigh. It might also be good for inflamation. http://www.udoerasmus.com/products/oil_blend_en.htm

Cinnamint has a good suggestion. I get dry and itchy skin in the winter, and it doesn't seem to matter what I use on it. Someone recommended 2Tbs of Olive oil a day...I did try it and have to say it made a huge difference in my skin and hair!

I've always had dry/sensitive skin. I absolutely LOVE the new Oil of Olay Regenerist products, but they're a bit expensive. My husband got me the Regenerist Daily Thermal Mini-Peel and the Regenerist Micro-sculpting Cream for my face and they are AMAZING. My skin has never been softer. As for the rest of my dry skin, I really like the Dove Pro.Age,Creme Oil Lotion. All three of these products smell great and feel amazing.

Hi again, friends-
Klassy, I am on a cut-down program for the pred, was on 8 mg/day and am now on 6 mg for 2 more weeks, then 4 mg for 3 wks etc etc. So yes the dr has me on a weaning-off time-
And I do take olive oil and all kinds of fish oil supplements, but maybe could take more olive oil-
thnks for the advice-

I would definitely increase your Omegas.

I was just on the phone with the lady who runs www.hacompound.com and I have read a lot about ha compound working great as injections for people with RA....and this is in the medical journals. I don't know how effective the supplement is, but I was talking to the lady and took up her recommendation to try it again but this time take a lot more of it......she gave me a deal so I could really give it a good shot.

Basically take several tablespoons a day and this should help with my skin. She said that with RA your synovial fluid dries up and it's in your skin, it's everywhere. I have to wonder if there's some truth here because ever since I got RA, regardless of what drugs or supplements I'm on, my skin is dry. I'm giving this a try and will let you know how it goes, but it's something you could start looking into.

Best regards,
Sarah

thank you Sarah

i think sometimes its an RA thing along with the meds. i have always had dry skin. when i get out of the shower i use lavander baby oil while my skin is still a little damp. then the next day i use curel for dry skin. so far curel and baby oil has done the best. i also use variou extra moisterizing body washes. like dove , caress & etc. and if you find that u have a certain super dry spot message desitin clear on it a couple times a day.

My skin is so dry that I can actually use a nail file to file down the dry skin on my fingers! I take Omega complexes everyday, drink plenty of water and am off methotrexate for awhile. Unfortunately, since I developed Sjogren's Syndrome my skin has gotten so dry that I'm losing all elasticity and plumpness (is that a word? lol) in my hands and face

My feet were so dry that my dr prescribed a tube of ointment that I use twice a day and it softens and disintegrates the dry skin. It is called Amonium Lactate and runs about $20 a tube.

Something else that we used to do was after washine up in the shower but before turning the water off, take some baby (mineral) oil in your hand and rub it all over your body still under the shower spray. This helps to seal in some moisture. Try to air dry if you can, if not "pat" the towel on your body, don't rub.

Hope this helps...hugs jilly

I've always had sensitive skin and a tendency for dryness, but this year I've been really bad as well - hands, arms, legs, even my feet! One product I've found that works for me is called Naked Body Butter - I believe the company is "Naked". I get it from Sephora, but I've seen it in other boutiques. Another product I use is from Crabtree & Evelyn (a UK company, but I think you have it in the US too, we do in Canada)- it's called Gardener's Hand Therapy, and I believe this is an entire line of products including body lotion and bubble bath. I love it!

My skin was so dry on my legs this winter that it looked like I had bad burns- patchy red but not dry looking. My dermatologist gave me a prescription for an ointment called Triamcinclone Acetonide which worked wonders in just a few days. It is a very heavy "vasoline" type ointment that I used just before bedtime. With our insurance co-pay it only ran $5.00- which is a lot cheaper than over the counter products. Also, it has no odor at all.
For my feet- which have recently started to develop deep cracks, I purchased Dr. Scholls Heal and Crack Repair Cream for Her. Again, a miracle worker compared to other brands I tried.
Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Pam