Dryness and itching

[KBrett]

Greetings;
Here's my query: Is extreme dryness of the skin and itching due to lymphededema? The skin on my legs, the affected limbs, gets very dry, and I have a difficult time not unconsciously scratching at it, when it's exposed. This has, at times, resulted in open sores, which then take an inordinate length of time to heal.

Is there some (very inexpensive) way to self-treat this?
As part of my treatment, I take diuretics twice a day, but I drink large amounts of fluid, day in and day out. In fact, the path to our one bathroom is eroding away with my repeated trips, and may eventually resemble the Grand Canyon, as I wear away the carpet, then the floor, and eventually the foundation of our apartment building, and into the bedrock of the Earth. That is to say, I'm moving a lot of liquid, but my system isn't drying out, overall. The only areas where I'm currently having a very difficult time are on my lymphededema-affected legs.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you

[Ben]

Are you using any kind of lotion such as lymphoderm or eucerin?

Ben

[KBrett]

Regarding the use of lotions to control the dryness and itching:
I am currently using a lotion comparable to Vaseline's Intensive Care lotion w/Aloe. I have tried rubbing mineral oil into the skin when I shower, but that proved too gummy. The lotion I'm using doesn't seem to provide any long-term relief - I have to reapply several times a day, and that's going to be difficult once I start wrapping.

After observing the effects on a pork roast I was preparing for dinner, I've considered filling the tub with a marinade of equal parts olive oil, Worchestershire sauce, & soy sauce, with a little garlic and cumin thrown in for good measure. I'm sure, after soaking in that overnight, I'd be much less dry, and might attract some hungry women from around the apartment complex. I'm not sure my Lady would appreciate that particular side effect, however.
Peace and Blessings;
KBrett

[KBrett]

This weekend, I had to be out of town, visiting family, as there was a big wing-ding for my nephew, who's just graduated from High School. I just helped him select his first guitar, and he treats me with a great deal of honour and affection, so I wouldn't have missed the occassion for the world.

The downsides to the trip were: 1. having to drive quite a way - I have hand controls in my car (I'm paraplegic) but it still is a problem when I can't elevate my legs for an extensive period;
2. Being away from home for several days, and needing to be able to socialize with my Mother, who is getting on in years and looks forward to my infrequent visits, required me to be "on and up" for more of the day than I would, at home;
3. Being in environments where I didn't have much control over the temperature was definitely problematic.

I continued to use the Vaseline Intensive Care w/Aloe that I've used at home. This time, however, I really slathered it on, massaging it into the skin, then applied more, and let it sit on the surface of my feet and legs. I found that the excess lotion was rapidly absorbed into the skin. I continued to drink large quantities of water, as well. In combination, this did wonders at controlling the dry skin and itching problems I've been having. One other think I did, was to take a fairly low dosage of Benadryl each morning, and again in the late afternoon. If any of the itching was due to any allergy, that may have helped limit it. In any case, I had less trouble with itching than I've had in some time, despite the problems inherent with traveling and being away from home!

Today, at home again, I spent an hour in my apartment's pool, exercising my limbs and stretching out my back and leg muscles. My daughter, Elspeth, was very helpful. I think that the cool water helped a great deal to reduce the itching, too. I'm going to try to go to the pool at least three times a week, during the summer and fall, while it's open.
Peace and Blessings;
KBrett

[mlt_burford]

Hello
I have always been told by professionals that skin care products such as brand name Vaseline has too many synthetic substances in and does not replace oils into the skin it just places a barrier onto the skin. Therefore, if the skin is already dry you are not replacing moisture.I personally use a product called Diprobase which I love.
Bye for now
I hope the visit to your mother was not too demanding.
Michelle