I found this by chance, sick of this dryness that causes my skin to split and crack.
The reviews on each individual item are really positive. Hopefully I can share with you soon my experience of using this stuff .
Managed to get mine on eBay for £11.50 for the full set 🥳. The dryness on my palms causes the skin to become very thick and makes them at times impossible to use!
Thought I would share with you all incase your looking for an alternative non prescription cream x
Hey Lisalou - have you used Eucerin? I use the 10% Urea body lotion and it is without a doubt the best thing for my extremely dry flaking and often cracking skin... I mix it with some neals yard massage oil that Ive put Rose Absolue or Ylang Ylang etc essential oils into..so it smells nicer and is all natural - doesnt upset my skin but obviously might others.. eucerin.co.uk/ - I know it can still be classed as a prescription product (as I now get it on prescription after years of shelling out for it) but have to say nothing else works... so hope your new find works for you - but if it doesnt... eucerin has def got my vote and might have yours! x
Not tried that no, have attempted a lot of different creams, but my skin just seems to soak it straight up and I go back to the cracking dry skin again! On really bad days I go use olive oil which helps but of course is very oily and doesn’t make certain tasks manageable as oil gets everywhere
X
Please try the Eucerin 10% body lotion... it will change your life! You can get it on prescription as its not cheap - £13.99 or more depending where you get it. Seriously... Im 56 and done a lot of research through the years... this is the ONLY thing that works... compared to everything else Ive tried... still have to use it day and night.. but then my skin is like the desert... x
😂 like the desert 😂 yes that explains it so well!!!!! I have hands of a 138 year old , and I get quite self conscious about them now, they definitely become more dryer with other activity visible and the fatigue!
Such a complex body I have been blessed with . X
Hey so have I! You can probably find a pic of them in one of my other postings about er, red hands... if you click on me and my posts youll see! My hands have been like the very elderly and full of rahses, cracked and bleeding since I was a small child... and a lot of kids just wouldnt come near me... certainly wouldnt hold my hand for dances etc. Think that really hit me..as I can still replay it in my mind like it was yesterday - and I was only a toddler.. a I used to get really embarrassed about them growing up, men and stuff.......but have got used to it.. what can you do?! I even had my nails painted on a free Aveda day last year and I loved the look... wrinkled, gnarled etc as they are. I think it might be quite common - but I really didn;t know - and haven;t known until being finally diagnosed a year ago, and coming on here... in fact, you are the first person to describe your hands as I do. Im sorry its like that for you too.. but hey youre not alone 
x
Thank you for this reply. Has anyone said to you what is causing the dryness? X
Think it’s part of Lupus. Rheumy seen my lesions on full display recently and general flaky/scaliness on my legs etc and said lupus. I was born with it all so who knows... he thinks i was born with it - and I remember as far back as babe in arms due to pain being rubbed dry with v sore red skin at beach and have pics as a toddler with it all.. including malar rash.. and all the mouth ulcers, bone deformities (feet, legs), recurrent urine/chest/skin infections, sun sensitivity, headaches/migraines with visual disturbance, serious amount of sleeping, hearing issues, glue ear, sickness, nose bleeds, bad gut issues, heart conditions.. etc etc. And focussing for learning and exams was v difficult. Pre Eucerin my face flaked all time - wearing foundation to cover the ever redness too was really tricky as it obvs showed up all the flakes. Used to get v v upset as a teenager... Anyway been using Eucerin face creams for years and it’s brilliant... plus a large amount of water a day! And the healthiest diet I can muster, as my dad taught me as a child - and really improved symptoms. Do u have similar symptoms too? Mine have deteriorated since younger and very much in last 5yrs.. and intensely in last 2. Did u see my hand photo on old post? No rashes at that time as on metho. Had to stop due to two surgery bouts. Do yr finger tips peel? D x
Read through your posts and your the one who said “candy floss hair”. Could describe it better myself!!! I often repeat that back to myself when I look at my totally electrocuted hair style !!!!!
My feet burn like mad, mainly made worse in heat. I try to get them pedicured as often as possible but the dry skin returns so quickly. I’m like a snake, I shed my skin and it comes back dry and scaly.
My palms can get very red, and then they crust over with this thick horrible skin. I don’t really get the burning sensation in my hands more pins and needles and numbness. My face produces a very prominent red burning skin rash and then that goes very dry, almost like I’ve burnt myself!!!! Doctors still really don’t know what it is as I have multiple symptoms for multiple immune dysfunctions. X
Hey LIsaLou - what are your complement 3 and 4 levels like? And your neutrophils? If they havent tested them, ask your GP to... please........... ouh.nhs.uk/immunology/diagn... - this link just gives you some info on what the comp levels signify and hss.edu/conditions_understa... and this link is all the tests they should be doing for you with your symptoms....... ahem! Id discuss wit h your GP or Rheumy x
I am so lost in the world of blood tests. I’ve had so many done. Most recent lot were done by lupus specialist at guys. I had many visual symptoms so he diagnosed me as UCTD pending further investigations. I had some skin biopsies done last week. I keep getting these marks that look like bites , then they grow and get scaly then leave a scar. A biopsy was taken from a fresh one of these and also from my chest as I keep getting a prominent red rash here when other symptoms are heightened. I’m happy I’m now on medication but they are not working yet 🤢 and I can no longer take steroids as they feel me taking them is not helping in me getting the right diagnosis x
OMG "candyfloss hair" Yes!!! I always called it my brillo pad .... sticks out at all angles, just any humidity and it frizzes immediately 
Try coconut oil if looking for non prescription cream, works well and smells nice and its natural not perfumed which gives me lot of problems. 😀
I use this on my dry lips but no good for the hands, too oily x
Hydromol is a good cream you can get from gp it absorbs into skin depends how dry your skin is as to the greasy feel, unfortunately its something you have to put up with at times to get relief.
I have to tried and avoid excessive washing hair as I’ve lost so much of it. And I’m a sucker for touching my hair. I do rate coconut oil for so much and it smells Devin x
I have that problem too with hair most at front of scalp and lately one eyebrow.
There is scalp lotions you can get dermovate, betnovate, are two i have had betnovate one is good i am not keen on dermovate as cream has thinned skin on arms simple knock means blood blister or burst in skin and blood everywhere. 🙁
What improvement have you had with the scalp lotion on your hair?
I hardly brush my hair now as it’s so depressing how thin it is!
X
I am the same as u Lisalou n DJK..hands n feet r a blooming nightmare..dryness..itchiness..cracking..weeping..spazing up so I can't even lift a cuppa..makes it incredibly hard to maintain personal hygiene!! Consequently Ive become extremely sensitive to touch n now avoid it as much as possible.
Now u two ladies r using two different products n I for one will be interested how u find them..sensitive skin is one thing but I'd like to join u in this little sub-club!! Ive been wondering about eucerin but a bit reluctant because if it doesn't help it's quite pricey..I've spent loads of money on sunscreen n creams that have not helped n some have made it even worse!! However I 💖body shop!! That's expensive too so at the moment I use Dermol lotion prescribed..coconut oil sometimes when my hands can take it..steroid creams for when they flare..I've also got a steroid tape that I put on open sores on fingers!!
DJK u r in the lead at the moment as u have been using eucerin for ages..is it just the body lotion u use? Is it ok to use on cracked skin? Does it sting at all? Does it soak in nice n quick? Did it work for u right from the get go or did u have to take a while to get used to it?
Lisalou I've tried oil as well n it's a nightmare..slippy hands..my handprints everywhere etc..if my hands can take it I wear cotton gloves..I've got some white ones that I've cut the tips of the fingers off so I can still use fingertips. I've also got some black ones that I usually wear outside or in social situations..I got them online..magicians use them!! 🧙
When my hands need intensive treatment I got a good tip from my dermy..I was flaring for most of last year ..I was a mess..he saw me n put me on immune suppressant straight away..n told me to apply dermovate cream to my hands n feet n then cover them n leave them overnight. I said..oh krikey that's gonna make me sweat!! N he said that's what we want!! So off I went n tried it out..feet I had to put the cream on n then wrap them in cling film..put socks on over the top n go to bed..I couldn't do that after one night because it's really hard walking on slippy cling filmed feet..not that I can walk much..in the morning it's really hard to get off so hubby would have to cut it off!! On my hands I put the dermovate n then wear a vinyl glove overnight..again I fashion this so I cut off fingers that don't need to be covered n leave fingers intact that I want to treat. This is how I'm doing things currently..if I can use an alternative to steroid creams I would prefer it..so ladies..can I join in? 😺Xx
Of course you can join In 😘. I struggle with any form of oil as it interferes with getting on with other jobs and I find it uncomfortable. I’ve often thought about wrapping hands and feet up overnight, but the thought makes me feel slightly on edge as I don’t sleep at the best of times.
I read quite a few of the reviews on these products before buying and they were good. My recent consultant paid attention to the dryness, so idea what causes it but have been told my previous rheumatologist that it’s Myositis related 😏 not sure on that x
My diagnosis is subacute cuteaneous lupus n even if the skin is intact I can usually see blisters under the skin that will be the next lot to erupt on my hands..every day I just have to check in to see how much use I've got..see what fingers r working or not..it's also spread to my palms now n those little creases on the inner wrists...sometimes I can't use them at all n just have to keep them as still as possible..that's usually when I have a good cry!!!
Prior to diagnosis my feet had become ulcerated n I still have to dress them years later..that's affected my mobility because it's only on the soles that I have the problem...I mean soles of the feet n palms of the hands?? Then a gals pretty much scuppered..that's when I take my tramadol for sure!!! The SCLE diagnosis came from dermy in 2017 but like everyone else I had struggled with these problems for years!! Xx
I don’t have the ulcer problem, yet!!!!! Only inside my nose. The dryness causes stiffness and I just feel almost zombie fied. I’m going to give this lot a try and even use it inside my ears, they get extremely dry too. I hate people gerting to close to me incase they see my dry manky ears!!!!!
It feels like people look at me strangely, they most likely don’t but it’s awful to feel so dry and crusty.
I’ve always had beautiful olive skin and used to tan lovely , but now the sun and me just don’t get on 🙁x
Awwwww bless ya 🤗xx
I'm thankful that my face isn't affected but I did have an all over rash that went into my ears n my scalp..that was 4 days in hospital n they said I was allergic to flucloxacillin!! U however r much younger than me I really feel for u..u got kids who probably wanna get out in the sunshine n it must be so hard if u were happy in the sun n your skin says no!! 😫
I'm very fair skin so have always sat in the shade of the tree because in my youth I had a couple of sunburn episodes that taught me to be careful!! Xx
Hopefully we can conquer this dry skin together 🤗. Sometimes I post stuff here and think it’s totally irrelevant, but I’m glad I do because it’s so helpful to hear from others.
I took my 5 year old out today for an hour and comeback and slept for 2 hours! The most littlest of things exhaust me and I’m getting tired of it! But I try and push through and start everyday with a positive attitude
Xx
That's great because u took your little boy out..ok u had to sleep after but u achieved it!! I find that I have to limit myself too!! I'm planning to take my 4yr old grandson to a little park tomorrow afternoon.. I'll be on Brian (my scooter) so hopefully I can keep up..I won't be alone..I think he might be riding on my footplate!!
Then I'll be sleeping for a long time..but that's the beauty of grandchildren..they go home n I can recover!! But I have good sleeps because I have a wonderful time with him!! He wears me out n gives me joy at the same time!!
P.A.I.N.S....Positive attitude in negative situations
We're all warriors xx
3 weeks ago I found myself in such a dark place. Useless mother, useless human, just useless. I’m glad I got that low as I’ve really fought through the dark thoughts since then, even if I do ware myself out!!!!!!!!
Really weird though today my son who is 5, was complaining that the sun was hurting his eyes. Had to buy him sunglasses, I can’t go out without sunglasses myself. Have taken him doctors before as he gets livedo skin. Bloods normal. I don’t like to play on it though as you hear those stories where mums make their children ill 😬x
I get that often..spending time in the dark..both spiritually n physically..but living life in shadows doesn't mean that we're not shining stars🌟 sometimes our light shines dimly but if it ain't gone out.. we're still lupus warriors 🥊🥋 xx
hey Krazykat - thanks for all your info - only just seen your responses.Sorry you have all this too. PLEASE try the Eucerin 10% Urea lotion... it really is the best thing ever. And their face creams are anti wrinkle and moisturising too... but you can get a basic level one thats cheaper. I got the body lotion on prescription - so only £8.20(?) instead of £13.99 or whatever.. mind you I get free prescriptions now for some years. It needs massaging in... its good stuff, thats why..the urea is urine (I think!) but doesnt smell of wee obvs! Just read about it.. on the link I sent Lisalou. Believe me Ive been researching lotions all my life - Im now just 56, and it wasnt until I found Eucerin that I stopped looking. Things like E45 or similar absorb immediately but seem to make it worse.. as there is too much water in them.. Please just try a bottle and let us know what you think - and then ask your GP to prescribe... Mine was fine about it. x
Oh thank u xx
I'm same age as u n I agree that lotions do disappear too quickly..when hands r inflamed I can only put my lotions a couple of times so I can't keep putting it on..it hurts too much!! I'm happy to buy anything n u persuaded me with the urine thing because I did think..what's urea?? Knowing of course that urea n electrolytes for blood tests r to check kidney function!!
During my days travelling I had probs with my feet..that's pre-diagnosis..so I was trying to manage it..someone told me that peeing on your feet is an excellent remedy for chilblains!! 🤔My response was...cheers mate but how does a girl do it..easy enough for u to say fella!! 😹Xx
Im a female.... you too? Sorry Im confused x
Yes I'm a girl as well so I would find it very tricky peeing on my feet 😹 it must be alot easier for the chaps with their anatomy!! Xx
Ohhh I wondered what you meant about fella etc... Well... my friend pees in the shower at the end and lets the wee go on her feet as it goes down plug hole... she said she has lovely soft feet ever since... Er, I think Ill stick to the eucerin x
They sell eucerin on eBay too, I always look for cheaper sites. You can get a uva protection one too which would be helpful for many people x
And if you dont get it via prescription (I strongly advise you try) then Boots do a three for two on Eucerin sometimes... def a couple of times a year.. so it is worth buying three bottle.. and with the Advantage card for lots of points its not as bad. x
My Rheumy recommended NOZOIL which does help but makes me a bit 'drippy'!
Hi, I used to use the body shop Hemp, it’s good but I wasn’t keen on the smell. Eucerin is excellent, I think products with urea in are meant to have more intensive moisturising ability. I use CCS foot care cream which has 10% urea - it’s fab and sometimes gets used as a body lotion if my skin is very dry!
Hope you find something that works for you x
Hi there, just read your post about your very dry skin - I have Sjogrens and the skin on my hands is like that of a ruddy elephant, it is dreadful - keep getting given emollients and Betamethasone and it doesn't doesn't touch it, any of it!
Tried urea cream as I use that quite effectively for my legs and feet, but no, not that either .... they get so sore as the skin just cracks (anti-biotic tape does work on the ends of my fingers if they split) but although I have been retired now for almost 10 years, I look like I work as a mechanic!
It was thought that I had Fibro initially (as per usual eh ....?) I knew it wasn't, but couldn't prove otherwise at that point. Was tested for SS in 2010 but nothing showed then either - it wasn't until my teeth started to crack and give me trouble 18 months ago that I have since been diagnosed for almost a year now. MS has now been tested for 3 times since I was 19 and I am now 57 - so looks as though I may have had SS a very long time! I have never felt so poorly as I do now .... hadn't 'done' anything for years but got a free ticket to the Cheltenham Gold Cup so went away for a couple of days - did ok at the time, but am still suffering now! Anyway point of that was I went to have my nails done, and it was soooooooooo embarrassing! They did look a bit better though as drew the eye away from the rest of my skin!
I have often thought that I have a malar rash as my face is very veiny especially on one side - does this very dry skin point to Lupus does anyone know and how would I be diagnosed if so?
Have some pics of my hands but not sure if you can upload them or how?
Rachel x
Hi Rachel,
You can post a photo of your hands if you write a post from your page. At the bottom it will say upload image.
I’m pretty convinced I have some sort of Sjögrens, I am just so dry all over, ears eyes nose hands feet legs. But I had a blood test for it which said no 😏x
Hey Lisa Lou - you could have the test at your optician I think.. the yellow eye drops.. There are many tests it seems for Sjogrens - lip biopsy (try and avoid!), ultrasound of your saliva glands, and schirmer test. x
I had the schirmer test, that come back bone dry , but nothing has been followed up with that. I have constant red eye too, more the left than the right.
May try optician see what they say, I keep going back because I say my eyes are worse, but they say I don’t need stronger lenses! X
OK so the Schirmer test was positive then ie sjogrens. Has the lip biopsy thing been mentionedby Reheumatology? x
Not mentioned at all
Nothing has been mentioned since it was done last August x
In that case only the lip biopsy will tell if you have it and if bloods are negative, and lip biopsy +ve then you will have Seronegative Sjogrens, which I did think meant it was Primary Sjogrens, but if already have Lupus then it would be Secondary?? Bit confuddled now! lol ....
How do the conclude if it’s seronegative? It looks like they are not interested in the dryness even with the bone dry eye test which is recorded in my hospital letter. X
Hey yes - so as Lottagelady said, its time to discuss having the lip biopsy - I think Im quite sensitive so it may not be so bad for others.. Point is, you need to get the right diagnosis eh? This is serious... they need to be looking at what is going on for you. Pretty unsatisfactory so far sounds to me. Some peeps on here have had Sjogrens for years and are very knowledgeable. I think Twitchytoes has it.. and er, well just search for sjoegrens and youll find them all ;). What meds are you on? the Seronegative bit is if you dont have the bloods to go along with the diagnosis if you have positive schirmer - and positive lip biopsy. If you have the biopsy, make sure you get in a load of soups... and codeine (and laxatives!) and paracetamol. And salt for washing out your mouth after eating. anyway, Im getting ahead of myself - or yourself ;). Have you read the Lupus Uk leaflet on their site about Sjogrens? Have a look... and Id get on to your Rheumatologist if you have one or your GP if not... and get the ball rolling on all this.. Are you under the Eye hospital too then? Who did the schirmer test? x
I had the test done when I attended London Bridge Hospital privately with a lupus specialist. I’m now under him on the nhs. I asked about Sjögrens and they said test was negative.
I’m now taking 400my hydroQ
But apparently I should be on something else, the doctor I see 2 weeks ago was going to chase that up. He wants to see me again maybe I could ask for him to do the lip biopsy.
To be honest I don’t care what they do to me anymore. The lupus doctor thinks I have dermamyotisis but this doctor thinks not!!!!!! I do have muscle weakness and swallowing problems during flares but this returns to normal once it’s passes. I was told I’m rare but this isn’t really helping.
X
OK -just sounds rather difficult for you all this.. not knowing and mixed messages. Not what one needs with everything else eh. Just hope you have all the right tests done and the right drops, meds etc. Hugs to you x
Hi there - Id just go to your GP and discuss all your symptoms the link I posted on a reply to LisaLou above will help you understand the tests involved. But sounds like youve done it all previously. Or speak to Lupus UK - they are very helpful. They have a link above to a leaflet called Struggling to get a diagnosis of Lupus - see it on the right hand side of this page nearer the top. I was diagnosed with Sjoegrens a couple of years back now, but this was only by the Eye Hospital A&E as I went in havingn had my eyelids stick to my eyeballs over night for some time over and over - but then the specialist drops I purchased for those recovering from eye surgery and extremely dry eyes didn;t work at all one night... I have alwasy tried to sort my health out myself rather than go to docs - how I was brought up! I only went each time (with each condition) when it got so very bad. As for my eyes, the Eye Hospital did the yellow dye test etc and said I had damage etc on the first visit.. and prescribed the Carbomer for night and Hylo forte for day (x6, which has helped hugely!) but then my Rheumatologist at the time referred me to maxofacial clinic or whatever team and they did the lip biopsy (awful). It came out negative at the time for Sjoegrens - but have Sicca and Sailadenitis or something. Anyway - the meds for all seem to be similar. I think my Rheumatologist consultant just said my flaky skin must be the lupus... had it since birth along with dreadful rashes so guess so.. whatever it is, its been tough dealing with it all this time.. quite embarrassing and painful through life.. I just get on with it - with Eucerin and lovely oils from Neals Yard (along with all the medication of course). You can upload pics if you start a new post.. I do wish it was a little easier posting pics... as Id like to add a couple here of when my lesions come up on hands, just so we can compare. You cant load pics on the chat part either. Anwyay, all the best and hope you are doing Ok today x
Hi all!
Lisalou, this seems like it's a great product! I'll make sure to try it. Yeah, I've got dry, cracked and really painful feet right now. Stress helps bring it on for me. We live in the U.S. (cold Minnesota) and
Several years ago, my husband and I were on a motorcycle trip in the Canadian Rockies, which was beautiful but also pretty stressful for me since I was riding a 650cc Honda Nighthawk. Now this wouldn't be most riders' choice for a trip in huge mountains, but that was what I had. The hubby had a full-dress Harley.
My hands were so cracked up that I could barely grip the handlebars of the bike. I was desperate & we stopped in a Wal-Mart somewhere near Banff or Jasper. I asked the pharmacist if there was anything that I haven't tried that would help. He told me about a canadian product called DermalTherapy. Their strongest lotion has 25% urea in it. This ics called their "heel cream". Works like a charm!
We're in Arizona right now, but not on bikes. I brought a little of the cream with. You get the skin a little damp & apply the cream. I usually cover them with socks if feet or gloves if hands.
Usually a couple of applications will make a huge improvement! It really starts healing the cracks. I buy it online. It seems to last forever.
Good lu
Thanks, I'll try it! I have had really good luck with the canadian product, DermalTherapy, which has 25% urea in its heel cream! It works wonders. I've tried everything else that's been mentioned. At least it's worked great for me for many years. Definitely worth a try.
Oops, I thought I had lost my first reply. Oh well...2x is ok, right? Lol!!!
😂😂😂😂 oh you did just make me chuckle, thank you.
I’m so pleased I posted this, so much sharing of information.
I’m going to try this hemp lot as the reviews were really good. I don’t think people view dry skin as a problem but when it’s this dry I just feel stiff. I used to tan lovely, now it doesn’t last at all because my skin is shedding so quickly, plus the sun makes me feel ill at times. When it’s cold my hands hurt so much and they dry out super fast!!!! Can’t win come rain or shine x
September's Topic of the Month - Skin Camouflage
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How do I know if I have photosensitivity?
using hair dye when have lupus?
Allergy skin testing / Cutaneous lupus 
