Dry, chapped, and abraded skin | Arthritis Information

 

I mentioned that my elbows and forearms where tender and irritated from the constant rubbing on the sheets as I get in and out of bed, reposition myself, and try to pull myself up in bed. The orderly told me he had something to help and quickly returned with a jar of balm and a pair of tube soxs. He cut the toes off the sox, slathered the balm on my elbows and forearms, deftly pulled the toeless sox up my arm and within minutes the burning from the excoriated skin was gone.

The balm, come to find out, is mixed right on the floor from three readily available ingredients: crisco (yes, vegetable shortening!), pharmaceutical grade glycerin, and extra-virgin olive oil.

Who would have though it?!

Idioted to remove the extraneous "i" from abraded.
Spelunker2009-07-13 09:59:57I've read crisco can be used for dry skin!!!!!!!!  Surprising but true.and... I have cream w/ extra virgin olive oil!!  I slather it on my feet and put on socks and go to bed.... it works better than even body butter... or vaseline to smooth the cracks and flakes.....

love to hear of an innovative nurse!!
This combination is used extensively for patients on this unit. A dermatologist recommended it years ago, according to the legend as it is basically allergen free, preservative free, it doesn't sting nor stain, and is pretty much odour free as well.

I have used olive oil for skin care for years, but this combination is especially soothing.
Wow- glad you got relief. I feel like mixing up this concoction for my dry skin. Great idea!Shug, I actually tore the skin on my hip from scooting when I had my knee replaced and believe me I would have loved to have had this offered.  I'm going to make a batch to use on my heels.  We're in Nevada now and it's so dry, my skin is like parchment paper.  Take care.  Lindy

Another innovative ideas for contact dermatitis, scaling eczema, and itching skin from the same gentle, caring, and knowledgeable orderly (who is also a third year medical student). Soak a cloth large enough to cover the area in whole milk and allow the soaked cloth to remain in contact with the skin long enough to thoroughly hydrate the area (30-60 minutes). Coat the area with the dialysis balm or plain Crisco, cover loosely with plastic cling wrap and flannel wraps overnight. Gently remove flannel wraps and cling wrap and gently cleanse the area with mild soap (Johnson's baby soap/shampoo was mentioned) pat dry and lightly reapply the balm/Crisco. Repeat the milk soak---as a skin treatment whole milk is supposed to have superb anti-inflammatory properties---and balm/Crisco every night.

The abraded areas on my elbows and arms are 80% healed with just one 24 hour application of the balm.
I've always had issues with my skin. As a child I was dxd with excezma, which was always way worse in the winter.  As an adult the dermatologist I was referred to dxd my skin issue as keratosis pilaris (sp). His immediate recommendation was to use olive oil. There isn't a known reason for this skin concern, nor a medical treatment to take it away but it isn't contagious. It is, however, genetic.

A few years ago a dear friend of mine turned me onto the skin balm recipe "spelunker" posted. Fabulous - Absolutely Fabulous.

My darling daughter gave me a store-bought product called, Udder Smooth, which I now use and my skin loves. It comes in cream or lotion.

Has anyone tried any of the Jergens lotions which are to gradually give you the appearance of a tan when used regularly? I did - BIG MISTAKE!
Had used it on my arms a couple of times and itched a bit but not enough to make wonder why. Then I applied it to my legs after showering one evening. Within a short time I broke out in one of the worst case of hives ever. Took two benadryl and was up in the night applying ice to relieve the itching. By morning, which took forever to appear, the hives were pretty much gone.

If anyone else is sensitive to a good many lotions perhaps a test patch would be the thing to do.

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