How to Treat Dry Elbows

Do you suffer from dry, rough elbow skin? Rough elbows can be so pronounced that they take on the texture of sandpaper and may turn darker in color as the overlying skin becomes dehydrated and moisture deprived. This is a frustrating problem which can be difficult to correct with use of moisturizer alone. Rough elbow skin is a particular problem during the cold, dry months of winter when the humidity is low and the air is water deprived.

What causes rough elbows in the first place? The skin covering the elbows is thicker in texture to protect the underlying elbow bone from harm. This thicker skin is more susceptible to the type of dryness and moisture loss that occurs when the humidity drops. In addition, the elbows undergo a great deal of abuse during the day as you lean your elbows on all types of surfaces which can further contribute to the problem of rough elbows.

Treating rough elbows can be challenging due to the thickness of the skin found in the area. To treat dry, rough elbow skin, the first step is to exfoliate the area to remove dead, surface skin cells so moisturizer can better hydrate and soften the area. This can be done using an exfoliating body scrub that has natural particles designed to remove dead skin cells. The other option is to use a loofah with a moisturizing scrub. Stay away from any product that has alcohol in it since this can make rough elbows worse by further drying out the skin.

Once you’ve removed the dead skin cells from your rough elbows, follow up with an intensive moisturizer to rehydrate the skin in the area. One of the best moisturizers is also the least expensive, petroleum jelly. Other options include almond oil or olive oil which can be found at most grocery or health food stores. After applying your chosen moisturizer, wrap your elbows in fabric or plastic wrap to keep the moisturizer in contact with the area. You can also cut the foot off of a pair of socks and place the modified socks on your elbows overnight after generously applying moisturizer.

If you exfoliate and moisturize regularly for ten days and fail to see improvement, consider making an appointment with your dermatologist. You may have eczema or psoriasis which needs prescription strength medications and treatments.

To prevent rough elbows in the future, make it a practice to regularly exfoliate dry, rough elbow skin and apply moisturizer. Avoid leaning your elbows onto surfaces, particularly when you’re doing housework as your elbows could be exposed to harsh chemicals. This is especially likely to happen when you’re down on your knees scrubbing the floor. Until your rough elbows are corrected, you may want to cover them with a pretty long sleeved top.