Ears to ache?
worse. The best way of tackling this is to try to replace moisture in the skin as often as possible by smothering yourself in what doctors call an “emollient” which is an oily cream without added perfume.
You should be able to get this on prescription from your GP and you should aim to use it at least twice a day, preferably more often, so that your skin always feels slightly greasy.
If you are using enough, you should get through a 500g tub ( which is quite large) at least once a fortnight. You should also avoid soaking for too long in hot baths which will dry your skin out even more. Just have brief showers and wash using a small amount of a moisturising body wash.
You should wash clothes and bed linen in non- biological detergent and if you use fabric conditioner, make sure it is suitable for sensitive skin.
If the itching persists at night, a small dose of a sedating antihistamine may help to stop the itch and aid a better night’s sleep. Again, you should be able to get this on prescription from your GP.
If you have a health question for Dr Rosemary please write to her in confidence at The Northern & Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN or email health@ express. co. uk
Dr Rosemary’s reply will appear in this column. She regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence and that, due to the volume of letters, she cannot reply to everyone. Find out more about her at drrosemaryleonard. co. uk