Prevention

Try these tips to keep skin from getting excessively dry:

• Moisturize. Moisturizer seals skin to keep water from escaping.
• Limit water exposure. Keep bath and shower time to 10 minutes or less. Turn the dial to warm, not hot. Try to bathe no more than once a day.
• Skip the drying soap. Try cleansing creams, gentle skin cleansers and shower gels with added moisturizers.
• Cover as much skin as possible in cold or windy weather. Winter can be especially drying to skin, so be sure to wear a scarf, hat and gloves when you go out.
• Wear rubber gloves. If you have to immerse your hands in water or are using harsh cleansers, wearing gloves can help protect your skin.