Patient Education

for Common Skin Diseases

Abdurrahman Nasser Ghorab

2020

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 Inflammatory Dermatoses
PSORIASIS Page 3
PITYRIASIS ROSEA Page 3
LICHEN SIMPLEX Page 3
ATOPIC ECZEMA Page 4
SEBORRHOEIC DERMATITIS Page 4
VENOUS ECZEMA Page 5
PITYRIASIS ALBA Page 5
HAND DERMATITIS / HAND ECZEMA Page 6
DISCOID LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (DLE) Page 6
Infections and Infestations
TINEA CAPITIS Page 7
PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR Page 7
FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF THE NAILS Page 8
CHRONIC PARONYCHIA Page 8
HEAD LICE Page 9
HERPES SIMPLEX Page 10
HERPES ZOSTER Page 11
PLANTAR WARTS Page 11
IMPETIGO Page 12
FOLLICULITIS BARBAE Page 12
BOILS Page 13
Adenxal Disorders
HIRSUTISM Page 14
TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM Page 14
PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS Page 15
Pigmentary Disorders
VITILIGO Page 16
MELASMA Page 17
Acne & Rosacea
ACNE Page 18
ROSACEA Page 19
Urticaria & Pruritus
URTICARIA AND ANGIOEDEMA Page 20
SOLAR URTICARIA Page 20
PRURITUS Page 21

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PSORIASIS
General measures :
 Discuss your psoriasis and how it affects your life with your GP or
dermatologist and identify treatment goals.
 Manage your risk factors for heart disease and stoke with your GP.
 Adopt a healthy lifestyle: eat a balanced diet, try to lose weight if you
are overweight and exercise regularly.
 Stop smoking.
 If you drink excessive alcohol, reducing your intake might be helpful.
 Reduce stress, where possible.
 If you have joint symptoms discuss with your GP or dermatologist.

PITYRIASIS ROSEA
General measures :
 There is no need to treat the rash if it is not causing any symptoms.
 If the rash does not clear up after 3 months, consult your general
practitioner again.
 There is no reason to keep children with pityriasis rosea away from
school.

LICHEN SIMPLEX
General measures :
 The itch-scratch cycle needs to be broken in lichen simplex. Any specific
underlying problem e.g. a fungal infection or contact allergy needs to be
treated.
Self care :
 Avoid anything which may irritate the area. This can be contact with
clothing made from wool or synthetic fibre – cotton and silk are best. Nails
should be kept short to avoid accidental damage of the skin. Make a
conscious effort not to scratch. Whenever the skin feels itchy, apply a
moisturizer instead.

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ATOPIC ECZEMA
General measures :
Avoidance of Allergens : Atopic people often have allergies :
 Air borne allergens from cats, dogs, pollen, grass or the house dust- mite,
can cause flares of AE in some patients.
 Food allergies. In infants and young children where the AE is severe,
intensely itchy and difficult to control, food allergens may be aggravating
the skin. Dietary avoidance should only be undertaken with medical advice.
 Latex (rubber) allergy is more common in people who are atopic. The
symptoms may, consist only of itching of the skin after contact with rubber
products.
 Contact allergy to creams and ointments used to treat atopic eczema can
rarely occur.
Self care :
 Moisturise your skin as often as possible, ideally at least 2-3 times each
day. The most greasy, non-perfumed moisturiser tolerated is best. This is
the most important part of your skin care. Smooth it on in the direction of
hair growth. Do not put your fingers back and forth into the pot of
moisturiser, as it may become contaminated and be a source of infection.
It is best to remove an adequate amount to cover the skin with a spoon or
spatula and put this on a saucer or piece of kitchen roll.
 Wash with a moisturiser instead of soap (known as a soap substitute), and
avoid soap, bubble baths, shower gels and detergents.
 Wear non-powdered non-rubber gloves (e.g vinyl gloves) to protect your
hands and avoid contact with irritants, such as when doing housework.
 Rinse well after swimming, and apply plenty of your moisturiser after
drying. Make sure that the shower at the swimming pool contains fresh
water and not chlorinated water from the swimming pool.
 Wear comfortable clothes made of materials such as cotton, and avoid
wearing wool next to your skin.

SEBORRHOEIC DERMATITIS
General measures :
 Once your scalp is clear, continue using an anti-fungal shampoo once
a week to reduce the chance of the rash coming back. A plain
moisturiser may help to reduce scaling and redness of the skin.
Changing your diet is not likely to make any difference

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VENOUS ECZEMA
General measures :
 Simple measures are very important in helping to reduce pressure in the
veins. These include ensuring your weight is within the normal range and
keeping physically active. Due to the effect of gravity exerting additional
pressure on the veins, venous eczema can be made worse by spending long
periods of time standing still or sitting, for example by sleeping in a chair.
For this reason, it is recommended that when possible you raise your legs
for at least part of the day; ideally above the level of your heart by lying
down. Elevating the foot of the bed overnight can also be helpful.
 Care also needs to be taken to avoid damaging the skin on the leg, for
example it is important to avoid knocking or hitting the leg on hard objects
(such as supermarket shelves, trolleys, doors of kitchen cupboards, etc.).
Such relatively minor injuries often take months to heal and can
significantly impair healing of the eczema.
 Bandaging and compression stockings: are another simple measure that
help to reduce the pressure in the leg veins. Bandaging may be used when
leg swelling is severe; once this swelling is reduced and the eczema is
improved, compression stockings are used to maintain this. Compression
stockings are available on prescription and should be worn long-term at all
times during the day in order to support the veins. Compression stockings
should not be used in patients with arterial disease in the legs. Your
dermatologist or doctor can advise you about this and a simple test
measuring your leg circulation is often performed before using compression
stockings.

PITYRIASIS ALBA
Self care :
 Use moisturisers for the dryness
 Do not use soap
 Avoid sun especially in summer and in holiday by using high sunscreen
products (no less than 30 SPF)

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HAND DERMATITIS / HAND ECZEMA
General measures :
Preventing hand dermatitis :
 Always use protective gloves at work and at home when in contact with
irritating chemicals and water. Wear cotton gloves underneath or chose
cotton-lined gloves if you have to work for longer.
 The best choice of glove material (rubber, PVC, nitrile etc) will depend on
which chemicals or allergens are being handled. Gloves should be clean
and dry inside and not broken.If gloves cannot be worn, a barrier cream
should be applied before exposure to irritants. After exposure, wash the
hands carefully with a soap substitute, rinse, dry thoroughly then
moisturise.

DISCOID LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (DLE)

Self care :
1) If you smoke, we strongly recommend that you stop. Smoking can
make this condition worse and may also result in a poor response
to treatment.
2) Sun Protection.
This should be part of your daily routine:
 Protect your skin with clothing, and don’t forget to wear
a hat that protects your face, neck and ears, and a pair of
UV protective sunglasses.
Daily sunscreen is recommended:
 When choosing a sunscreen look for high SPF (SPF 30
or more) to protect against UVB and UVA. Apply plenty
of sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the
sun, and reapply every two hours and straight after
swimming or towel-drying.
 Clothing can be a very effective sunblock particularly for
your shoulders and arms. However, if you can see
through your shirt or blouse easily, then sunlight can get
through to your skin. White, close-weave but loose-
fitting clothing is best.
 Strictly avoiding sunlight can reduce Vitamin D levels.
Therefore, it may be worth taking Vitamin D
supplements, available from pharmacies and
supermarkets.

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TINEA CAPITIS
Self care :
 Avoid sharing combs, hairbrushes, hats, towels, pillowcases, or helmets
with other people. Fungus can live in combs, hairbrushes, and hair
accessories, so clean them with simple bleach or purchase new ones. Do not
visit the hairdress- ers or barbers until the infection is clear. Wash all
bedding, towels and hats at 60˚C.
Prevention of further infection and stop spreading of infection :
 Inform your school teacher, parents of classmates and other playmates so
chil- dren may be examined and treated if necessary. If more than two
children in a school or nursery class are infected, the rest of the class may
need to be tested (after parental consent). Children should be allowed to
attend school or nursery once treatment with an oral antifungal medication
and a medicated shampoo has been started.
 In order to prevent further infection, other family members and pets should
be examined by a doctor or vet respectively and treated with oral antifungal
medi- cation if infection is present. Sometimes it is best for the whole
family to be treated with a medicated antifungal shampoo twice weekly for
four weeks, whether or not fungal infection is proven.

PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR
General measures :
 The rash of pityriasis versicolor often comes back. Occasional use of an
anti-dandruff shampoo as a bodywash may reduce the chance of this
happening.
 It may help if you wash with an anti-dandruff shampoo for a few weeks
before you go on a sunny holiday to reduce the level of skin yeasts. There
is no evidence that the complaint is related to yeast in food so there is no
need to change your diet.

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FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF THE NAILS
Self care :
 Keep your nails short, dry, and clean. Stick to one nail clipper for the
infected nails and another for the normal ones.
 Don’t just treat your nails; use an antifungal cream to treat the skin that
has athlete’s foot as well.
 Avoid cutting the cuticle, either yourself or by a manicurist, since this
increases the risk of nail damage and infection.
 For toenail fungal infection:
o Wear well-fitting shoes, without high heels or narrow toes.
o Keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks, changed daily, and use
‘breathable’ shoes. Normal laundry in hot water clears most of the
affected socks, but it can be made more effective if an antifungal
spray can be used before laundry. Other clothes would not be
infected by laundry with or without antifungal spray.
o Maintain good foot hygiene, including treating any athlete's foot
o Wear clean shower shoes when using a communal shower.
o Be meticulous with the hygiene of affected feet.
o Consider seeking treatment from a podiatrist if thickened toenails
cause discomfort when walking.

CHRONIC PARONYCHIA
General measures :
 Avoid frequent hand-wetting, manicures and irritating substances.
 Underlying conditions such as diabetes and poor circulation must also be
treated to help improve paronychia.
Self care :
 You should keep your hands as warm and dry as possible; you will not
get better until you do this.
 Wear gloves for any tasks using water, irritants and chemicals,
including shampooing and washing up.
 Avoid biting your nails, manicuring your nail folds, and pushing back
the cuticles.
 Do not use nail varnish until the condition has been treated.
 Occasionally a change of occupation may be worth thinking about.
 Do not apply false nails until the condition is resolved.

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HEAD LICE
Self-care :
 After the treatment is complete you should check every week, for a
month, to make sure the lice are clear.
 Make sure that everyone who has been in contact with an affected
person is examined to ensure that they have not got head lice too; this
especially applies to members of the same household and to close
school friends.
 All affected members of the household should be treated at the same
time.
 The combs and brushes of an infested person should be washed in hot
water daily.
 There is no need to keep children with head lice away from school as
long as the advice given above is being followed.
Prevention :
 Children of primary school age should be examined regularly at home
using a nit comb to identify infestation early as prompt treatment helps
prevent further spread.
 Do not use chemicals regularly in an attempt to prevent an infestation
occurring; this simply encourages the emergence of resistant strains of
lice.

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HERPES SIMPLEX
Self Care :
 If you have recurrent attacks of herpes simplex, you may be able to avoid
things that seem to trigger an attack, or make certain lifestyle alterations:
 Avoid getting stressed or run down.
 Avoid anything else that you have noticed seems to bring on an
attack.
 Keep healthy and get enough sleep.
 Avoid sunlight on the affected area if you find it triggers outbreaks.
 Avoid sunbeds.
 Use UV protection.
Avoid spreading the infection :
 If the infection is active on your skin:
 Do not let that area touch another person’s skin.
 Use tissues when washing to dry the area, and dispose of them by
bagging or burning, to prevent others from becoming infected.
 Do not use a communal towel.
Genital herpes :
 Genital herpes can be passed on to a baby during delivery as it passes down
the birth passage when there is an active lesion at the time of birth. Women
who have genital herpes should let their obstetrician know during the
antenatal period so that measures can be taken to protect the baby.

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HERPES ZOSTER
General measures :
Self help :
 High risk people such as newborn babies, elderly people, people with
reduced immunity, and those who have not previously had chickenpox
(especially pregnant women) should avoid contact with shingles until the
blisters crust over.
 See your doctor as early as possible if you think you have shingles,
particularly of the face, as antiviral treatment works best if taken early in
an attack.
 You may need to take time off work initially; however, you can return to
work once the rash has dried out and crusted over.
 Rest if not working; if you have a temperature, you may need bed rest for
a few days.

PLANTAR WARTS
General measures :
 Wear comfortable shoes and do not share your shoes or socks with anyone
else. Special pads to relieve pressure on plantar warts can be bought at a
chemist.
 Do not go barefoot in public places. Plantar warts should be covered with
waterproof plasters or rubber ‘verruca socks’ if you go swimming.
 When treating the wart, dispose of any skin filings hygienically and do not
use the emery board or hard skin removal tools elsewhere as this could
spread the infection.
 Apply topical treatment regularly to get the maximum chance of cure.

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IMPETIGO
General measures :
Reduction of the spread :
 Avoid touching patches of impetigo, and stop other people touching them
too.
 Hygiene is important - always wash your hands after accidentally touching
the area (and ask other people to do the same).
 Wash your hands before and after putting the antibiotic cream or ointment
on the impetigo.
 Don’t share towels, flannels etc. until the infection has cleared. Always
use a clean cloth each time to dry the affected area.
 To prevent the spread of bacteria, the patient's towels, pillowcases, and
sheets should be changed and washed on the hottest available setting (at
least 60 degrees) with the addition of laundry bleach. Clothing and
bedding should be washed and changed daily during the first few days of
treatment. Children with impetigo should be kept off school or nursery
until affected areas have healed or 48 hours after starting antibiotic
treatment.
 It is fine to continue with your normal bathing and skin care routine.
However, be careful to avoid contaminating creams by touching the affected
skin and then putting your finger back into the pot.

FOLLICULITIS BARBAE
Self-care :
 If folliculitis barbae is persistent you should reduce contamination from
shaving equipment, e.g. using disposable razors or cleaning electric shavers
regularly. Metal parts of a shaver can be sterilised with boiling water. If the
razor or electric shaver has plastic parts in contact with the skin, these
should be carefully cleaned after each shave and soaked in an alcohol-based
antiseptic solution. An antiseptic lotion may also be recommended in place
of the usual shaving soap or foam. It may also be helpful to shave less
frequently and aim to have a 5 o’clock shadow, i.e. not shave too closely.

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BOILS
General measures :
Hot compress :
 As soon as the boil appears a hot compress applied to the area for 10-20
minutes several times a day may encourage maturation, drainage and
resolution of symptoms. A single boil usually settles naturally, especially if
the pus it contains discharges spontaneously
Stop the bacteria from spreading :
 Your doctor may prescribe a topical treatment such as an antibacterial soap
to wash with. Sometimes an antibacterial nasal ointment is recommended to
be applied into each nostril for 5-7 days. Family members may also have to
use this treatment if they are found to be asymptomatic carriers.
 Change towels every day and do not share them with anybody else. Use a
hot wash and hot tumble dry if possible to wash towels and bed linen.
 Change bed sheets daily.
 Keep the house clean, especially the sink, shower or bath.
 You should seek medical advice if you are not sure of the diagnosis or if
you feel unwell. You should also see your doctor if the problem persists or
if you have recurring boils.
Self care :
o Follow the measures outlined above to reduce the spread of boils.
o Bath or shower daily, and keep your hands and nails clean. Avoid
picking any sores.
o Being overweight encourages boils, as the bacteria survive in folds of
the skin, therefore weight loss if necessary may help prevent
recurrence.
o Avoid close contact with others and contact sports, such as rugby and
judo, until the boils have cleared to reduce the risk of passing the
infection onto others. Do not visit a swimming pool or a gym until
they have cleared up.

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HIRSUTISM
Self-care :
 Shaving. Some people think that shaving encourages more hair growth,
but this is not true. However, the stubble that follows regrowth may be
undesirable. Frequent shaving can irritate your skin.
 Waxing is effective for some people, but can irritate the skin and should be
used with caution on the face. Scarring occasionally follows. Folliculitis
(inflammation of the hair follicles) can occur with shaving, and waxing.
 Depilatories (creams that remove hair) chemically dissolve hair shafts
thereby leaving no stubble, but may also irritate your skin. Before using
them you should first test your skin to see how sensitive it is. Always
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing and product applications.
 Bleaching creams are designed to make the dark hairs pale. They can
irritate the skin and may be unsuitable for brown and black skins.

TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM
Self care :
 You may find that joining a patient support group and meeting
other people with telogen effluvium may be helpful for you to
adjust to your condition.
 Seek unbiased medical help.
 Consider stopping smoking as heavy metals in cigarette smoke may
worsen the hair loss.
 Eating a healthy diet including food that contains iron, protein,
fresh fruit and vegetables may be helpful. Consider taking
supplements if your diet is restricted.

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PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS
General measures :
 The only certain cure is to stop shaving, waxing or tweezing.
 Adjusting your shaving technique may sometimes help. There is no single
technique that works for everyone because, for some people, the problem is
due to hairs curling back into the skin, whilst for others, the cause is that
hairs are cut so short that they retract. You should experiment to find the
best method for yourself.
 Wet shaving usually gives a closer shave than using an electric razor, but
the choice is once again an individual one. Those who wet shave should
avoid methods that give such a close shave that the hair retracts inside the
follicle. The following is recommended:
1. Shave in the direction of hair growth
2. Avoid stretching the skin tight
3. Use single blades
4. Shave every second day rather than daily, if possible
5. Aim for a stubble length of 1 mm, though the beard area will not look
clean shaven
6. Avoid plucking

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VITILIGO
Self care :
Top sun safety tips :
 Protect your exposed skin with clothing, and don’t forget to wear a hat
that protects your face, neck and ears, and a pair of UV protective
sunglasses.
 Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm when it’s sunny.
 When choosing a sunscreen look for a high protection SPF (SPF 30 or
more) to protect against UVB, and the UVA circle logo and/or 4 or 5 UVA
stars to protect against UVA. Apply plenty of sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes
before going out in the sun, and reapply every two hours and straight
after swimming, towel-drying and strenuous exercise.
 Sunscreens should not be used as an alternative to clothing and shade,
rather they offer additional protection. No sunscreen will provide 100%
protection.
 Keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight as far as possible.
 It may be necessary to take Vitamin D supplement tablets as strictly
avoiding sunlight can reduce Vitamin D levels. You should ask your
doctor or dermatologist about this.

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MELASMA
Self care :
 The most important thing you can do if you have melasma is to protect
your skin from sunlight exposure. It is also important to avoid the use of
sunbeds.
 If melasma improves, sustained improvement can be achieved by
continuing to protect your skin from the sun.
Top sun safety tips :
 Protect your skin with clothing, and don’t forget to wear a hat that protects
your face, neck and ears, and a pair of UV protective sunglasses.
 Spend time in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm when it’s sunny. Step out
of the sun before your skin has a chance to redden or burn. Keep babies and
young children out of direct sunlight.
 When choosing a sunscreen look for a high protection SPF (SPF 30 or
more) to protect against UVB, and the UVA circle logo and/or 4 or 5 UVA
stars to protect against UVA. Apply plenty of sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes
before going out in the sun, and reapply every two hours and straight after
swimming and towel-drying.
 Sunscreens should not be used as an alternative to clothing and shade,
rather they offer additional protection. No sunscreen will provide 100%
protection.
 It may be worth taking Vitamin D supplement tablets (available widely) as
strictly avoiding sunlight can reduce Vitamin D levels. You should consult
your doctor about this.

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ACNE
General measures :
 Try not to pick or squeeze your spots as this usually aggravates them and
may cause scarring.
 However your acne affects you, it is important to take action to control it
as soon as it appears. This helps to avoid permanent scarring and reduces
embarrassment. If your acne is mild it is worth trying over-the-counter
preparations in the first instance. Your pharmacist will advise you.
 Expect to use your treatments for at least two months before you see much
improvement. Make sure that you understand how to use them correctly so
you get the maximum benefit.
 Some topical treatments may dry or irritate the skin when you start using
them. If your face goes red and is irritated by a lotion or cream, stop
treatment for a few days and try using the treatment less often and then
building up gradually.
 Make-up may help your confidence. Use products that are oil-free or
water- based. Choose products that are labelled as being ‘non-
comedogenic’ (should not cause blackheads or whiteheads) or non-
acnegenic (should not cause acne).
 Cleanse your skin and remove make-up with a mild soap or a gentle
cleanser and water, or an oil-free soap substitute. Scrubbing too hard can
irritate the skin and make your acne worse. Remember blackheads are not
due to poor washing.
 There is little evidence that any foods cause acne, such as chocolate and
“fast foods”; however, your health will benefit overall from a balanced
diet including fresh fruit and vegetables.

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ROSACEA
Self Care :
 Protect your skin from the sun by using a sun block (with a sun protection
factor of at least 30) on your face every day.
 Do not rub or scrub your face as this can make rosacea worse.
 Do not use perfumed soap as this can make rosacea worse.
 Use a soap substitute (emollient) to cleanse your face.
 Use an unperfumed moisturiser on a regular basis if your skin is dry or
sensitive.
 Consider the lifestyle factors that can worsen rosacea (These include
alcohol, exercise, high and low temperatures, hot drinks, spicy foods and
stress. Rosacea can be worsened by natural sunlight). Learn which upset
your rosacea and avoid them; a written record of your flare-ups may help.
 Cosmetics can often cover up rosacea effectively, and some rosacea
patients may benefit from the use of skin camouflage. This may help hide
excessive redness. A health care professional will be able to make a
referral for you if necessary.
 Unless they are specifically recommended to you by your doctor it may be
best to avoid some treatments for acne, as they can irritate skin that is
prone to rosacea.
 Do not use topical preparations containing corticosteroids, unless
specifically recommended by your doctor, as these may make rosacea
worse in the long run.
 If your eyes are giving problems, do not ignore them - consult your doctor.
 Some drugs can aggravate blushing, and your doctor may make
appropriate changes to your medication.

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URTICARIA AND ANGIOEDEMA
Self care :
 If possible, do not take the medicines codeine (and other opiate drugs) or
aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen (and other non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs).
 It is important to avoid anything that may worsen urticaria, such as heat,
tight clothes, and alcohol. Triggers vary between individuals.
 Avoidance of specific foods, colouring agents and preservatives may be
helpful where these have proved to be a problem.
 Seek medical advice urgently if you are having problems with breathing or
swallowing.

SOLAR URTICARIA
General measures :
 Behavioural modifications : Spend time in the shade between 10 am and
3 pm when it’s sunny.
 Clothing: Simple measures include the wearing of clothes made from
tightly woven cloth, long sleeves, a hat (ideally brimmed); shoes rather
than sandals, and gloves, particularly for driving.
 Sunscreens: Solar urticaria is characterised by sensitivity mainly to
visible light and ultraviolet A, and more rarely ultraviolet B. Individuals
may be sensitive to just one of these wavebands, or all. Phototesting can
help to determine which wavelengths are important to avoid in individual
patients. Conventional sunscreens are formulated to protect against
ultraviolet B and A light (particularly UVB) and may therefore not be
effective in those with solar urticaria being triggered by visible light.
Reflectant sunscreens that are based on titanium dioxide or zinc oxide
will be more effective as they cover UVA, UVB, and visible light.
 Using photoprotective window films : Some people may need to apply
special photoprotective window films to the windows of their car and
home in order to block out UVA and UVB light. These protective films
may stop working and need replacing after about five years. Some car
manufacturers offer UV protective glass as standard or as an optional
extra, however most car windows do not block UV light.

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PRURITUS
Self care :
Anything you can do to take your mind off the itching will help to reduce or stop
the scratching.
 Try to avoid situations where you tend to scratch by changing your habits.
 Try patting the skin instead of scratching.
 Avoid soaking in baths for long periods as hot water may remove the
natural oils from your skin.
 Bathe or shower quickly in tepid (not hot) water no more than once daily.
 Avoid using soaps or foaming body washes even if they claim to be good
for dry itchy skin. Many of these contain detergents which remove natural
oil from the skin.
 You may find that laying a cool flannel soaked in moisturising cream on
the skin can reduce the feeling of itch. A cooled emollient (moisturiser)
which has been kept in the refrigerator may also help.
 Keep your bedroom cool and do not sleep with heavy or heat retaining
bedclothes. If you are hot and itchy during the day a fan can help to cool
the skin down.
 Emollients (moisturisers). People with pruritus usually have dry skin, and
therefore emollients may help to moisturise dry skin. They ease itching,
reduce scaling, soften cracked areas and help the penetration of other
topical treatments. There is a wide range of moisturisers available from
pharmacists and supermarkets. There is usually no advantage in buying
expensive moisturisers.

SOURCE
https://www.bad.org.uk/

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