"Soak and seal" skin care

The best way to put moisture back into dry, itchy skin is to follow a regimen called "soak and seal." It involves four steps:

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1. Take a warm bath or shower (at least one per day) lasting 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Use a gentle cleansing bar or body wash. (Good brands include Dove, Aveeno, Eucerin, Basis, Cetaphil, Oilatum, and Oil of Olay. During a severe flare-up, however, you may want to bathe or shower without using cleansers.
3. Gently pat away excess water with a towel. Do not rub.
4. Immediately apply skin medication or moisturizer (good brands of moisturizers include Vanicream, Eucerin Crème Original or Calming, Aquaphor ointment, or Cetaphil cream) to damp skin. This seals in moisture. Do not apply moisturizers over skin medications.