What should you know about skin dryness and itching?

Dry air, bathing, friction and irritating products can remove protective oils and trigger itch. Asteatotic eczema often looks cracked and dry, while atopic dermatitis can bring inflamed, itchy patches. Contact dermatitis may follow exposure to a new product or material. Psoriasis, lichen planus, hives, a skin yeast infection and scabies have different patterns and may need different treatment. Scabies often causes intense night-time itch and can affect people living together, but a clinician should confirm the cause.

Keep showers short and lukewarm, use a gentle fragrance-free cleanser, and apply a bland moisturiser immediately afterwards. Reapply when skin feels tight, wear breathable clothing and use a cool compress rather than scratching. Wash new clothing before wearing it and stop any recently introduced product that burns or causes a rash. Do not share towels or bedding when scabies or infection is possible; arrange assessment so contacts and treatment can be addressed together if needed.

Seek prompt advice for rapidly spreading itch, severe night-time symptoms, burrows, widespread hives, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, fever, pus, painful cracks or yellow crusting. Arrange a routine review when itching lasts despite moisturising, keeps returning, disturbs sleep or has no visible explanation. A clinician can examine the pattern and choose treatment that matches the cause.

What pattern do you see, and which causes should be ruled out? Could a product, medicine or household contact be contributing? Do I need treatment for eczema, infection, scabies or allergy? What should I use daily to protect the skin barrier?