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1- I would class skin breaking down as serious, yes. Dry skin, less so. Certainly something one could initially manage at home
B- yes, I'm suggesting looking at resources for self care of simple ailments. Home remedies have always been vitally important.. Granny probably had a readers digest book of home care - simple self care of small burns, abrasions, and what not is actually what's missing from a lot of society nowadays.
7-patient contacts... It's what they need to see if they don't wear glasses, right?
I think my suggestions have been prompted, perhaps more vigorously, by
A- a fairly eye-rolling Monday consultation...
B- the fact my work in the CCG recently has basically been of the ilk "the NHS is nearly fubar'd, and we ALL have to work to save it"
This basically means secondary care have to be more effective and realistic, Primary care have to work hard on reducing referrals when in house management or other community teams may help, and....the big one..... Patients MUST (yes, dare it be said, MUST) lose the sense of entitlement that some people have (not all, and not anyone in this thread have made me think they believe) that they can have ANYTHING 'health related' at a time that suits them.
I only highlight the fact that simple ailments that can initially be managed at home (and I'd class dry skin / sunburn etc a simple ailment) SHOULD be managed at home in a rather 'parental role' because I can see 'around the corner' so to speak....
There..that's my evening of public engagement over with 😉
I hope the skin's better. I can sympathise. My hands are completely knackered - I use diprobase, oilatum, dermol, and when really bad a smidgen of potent steroids. Even then they crack and drive me mad. In fact, when they are really dry and crack I get properly stressed!!!
I suppose that's what you get for having to wash your hands every fifth or sixth patient contact.......
DrP
I have chronic atopic eczema, and have had it for over 40 years. I try to avoid all soap/detergent type products. Most of the time I just wash with warm to hot water, and very occasionally with something mild, and only if my skin is in a condition that will take it.
I have used almost all of the stuff mentioned in this thread, and what works for one, may not be as effective for another. It will be a case of trial and error. I also find the efficacy of different moisturisers changes with time. Currently Aveeno is my moisturiser of choice.
MisterP - Pine tar soap might be worth a try. My wife suffered from pupps rash whilst pregnant and she found it really helped. This stuff..
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grandpas-Pine-Tar-Soap-92/dp/B0001TO3NA
DrP - In an attempt to alleviate pointless docs appointments can you have a word with the private health care companies who insist on a docs referral for a physio. Always embarrassing to go in there with "Hi, I've hurt my knee falling off my bike but I've got private health cover so I'm only here for a referral".
Do you eat dairy? Have you tried cutting it out? Swapping out normal milk for soy on cereal and in coffee sorted mild eczema out for me