Treatments for Dry Skin
Doctor Larry Jaeger is a New York Dermatologist who has over twenty-five years experience treating patients suffering form dry skin and other skin ailments.
He is the Chief Medical Director at Advanced Dermatology Associates in New York City and has an excellent track record of helping people with Eczema.
Larry Jaeger notes that dry skin plagues people of all ages, but is particularly common in older people. Dry, irritated, itchy skin characterizes a number of skin diseases that are collectively referred to as eczema. Xerotic eczema (xerosis), also known as the winter itch, occurs most often during the dry, cold winter months, as a result of repeated wetting and drying without the use of moisturizing.
Symptoms include dry, itchy, flaky, red skin, with painful cracking on the hands and feet.
According to Doctor Larry Jaeger, many people with dry skin have a difficult time finding relief. Various skin treatments, including over-the-counter moisturizers and prescription topical corticosteroid creams, may not be effective for the treatment of xerotic eczema. Dermatologists have long known the secret to treating dry skin, using a technique called soak and smear (also known as soak and slather). This technique involves nightly soaking in a warm plain water bath followed immediately by the application of a topical corticosteroid ointment to moist skin for a 2-week period of time. Skin care is then maintained with the use of a daily moisturizer after bathing.
The soak and smear technique is recommended to treat dry skin and itching caused by a variety of conditions, including atopic and xerotic eczema. This technique allows for the use of less potent topical corticosteroids (and thus fewer side effects), and provides much-needed relief within a few days’ time.
Once the dry skin is controlled, symptom control is maintained with the use of a daily moisturizer after bathing. If the dry skin returns, the soak and slather technique can be repeated, with relief returning within a few days.
Dr. Lawrence Jaeger is a board certified dermatologist who has a practice in New York. Dr Larry Jaeger specializes in the treatment of all skin, hair and nail disorders including all skin growths.
