One area of skin only being flaky

moneyistooshorttomention

As above - it's one area only of skin (ie upper arm only on one arm only on outer side only). That puzzles me - as I could understand if all my skin was normal or all my skin was "dandruffy" - but just one part = huh??

If it's relevant - I've also been having problems with having several spots on the top of both shoulders/top of both arms/top few inches of back for the last couple of years. Basically - I've just been waiting for them to stop coming up (never having had spots anywhere other than my face - back in my teenage years).

Annoying - as these areas are ones that are often not covered by clothing - as I still wear short-sleeve/lower-back teeshirts, etc, despite being early 60s.

Any thoughts? (I do moisturize all over after every shower).

lessonlearned

The "dandruffy" patch Sounds like it could be psoriasis or then again it could be excema. Without piccies it's hard to judge. Just google it and then book an appt with your GP for confirmation. Try not to scratch.

The spots on your shoulders - I get those now from time to time.

Invest in a long handled back brush to ensure you keep skin clean and clear of debris and then treat with a cream or gel containing benzoyl peroxide. I use Acnecide 5 per cent gel. You need to ask for it at the chemists. Not cheap but it is effective.

Sharon87

I get some weird skin things randomly on the same area of the arm. It looks like little white dots that can be flaky, but the white dots are all the same distance apart.

I googled it and found out it's hormonal. Maybe the flaky skin is down to hormones? Obviously I can't say as I'm not a doctor, but I'm just telling you my experiences with flaky skin.

moneyistooshorttomention

Thanks both.

It doesnt seem to be an illness type thing. I googled images of psiorasis and eczema and it's nothing like either of them. Fortunately it doesnt hurt or itch or anything. It's just the way it looks.

Almost like I've sunburnt just that section of just that arm - but it's not red and the peeling flakes are small dandruffy type size. When I got out a loofah type glove and started exfoliating there was a cloud of little white dandruffy type particles flying around (apologies for being so graphic..).

lessonlearned

Money. You really need to get yourself in front of your GP so he/she can give you a diagnosis and rule out any underlying health issues.

Assuming there is nothing nasty going on it could just be a complication of excessively dry skin........skin has a tendency to dry out as we age.

Oh joy:rotfl:

It's hard to say without seeing pictures but it sounds likely it could be seborrheic dermatitis - plain old dandruff to you and me which can occur on other parts of the body, not just the scalp or face.

Most commonly found on the lower legs but sometimes also on the upper arm. These areas can be more prone to dry and sensitive skin because they contain fewer glands producing sebum - the skins natural oil.

Oh dear time for me to get on my hobby horse!!

Modern skin care and bath products contain a lot of chemicals which strip the skins natural oils, causing excessive dryness and irritation.

Add in modern lifestyles such as central heating and excessive bathing and showering which can further cause the skin to dry out and you have a recipe for skin complaints such as excema, dermatitis, psoraris and just plain old excessively dry and itchy skin.

One of the best treatments for "dandruff" is coal tar, so Wrights coal tar soap and Tgel shampoo.

If you can get it then Pears original soap is gentle (they changed the recipe at one point when they switched production to India) They have apparently reintroduced the original although some people say it's still not quite the same.

My husband's illness affected his skin so I introduced a regime of Tgel shampoo, Pears original soap, shower gel and hand wash with good results.

I found the best stockists were Asda or Amazon.

The other thing to remember is to keep the area well moisturised. Some people find Vaseline effective but of course it's petroleum based so you might prefer to avoid it.

At any rate I would advocate not using products that contain SLS's - Sodium Laurel Sulphate. OVer time it strips the skin of natural oils and destroys the skins natural protective barrier.

What do I use I hear you ask.......:rotfl:

I make my own body oils, using grape seed oil and a few drops of essential oils.

A ratio of about 6 drops of essential to 10ml of your chosen carrier oil.

Cheap as chips and completely natural.

WARNING!!!!

1. Never apply neat essential oil directly on to the skin. It must be diluted.

2. Do not use citrus essential oils if going out into sunlight........

You can of course buy SLS free products in health shops etc but they are not cheap.

Other thing you might consider is taking supplements.

The best are Evening Primrose Oil or starflower oil.

Sometimes skin problems can be linked to low levels of selenium or Vitamin Q10.

I understand you wont eat fish........pity because oily fish is your friend, not just good for your skin but also for joint and muscle health. Would you take a fish oil supplement.

Also try and eat plenty of nuts and seeds for their natural oils and of course protein. THe body needs protein to help collagen production (which gives skin its elasticity and strength). Brazil nuts have the highest concentration of selenium.

But first......a trip to your GP.

He/she might prescribe a topical cream containing cortisone or steroids.......ok for emergencies but please don't rely on them for long term use because they make the skin thinner.

Remember the old adage.....prevention is better than cure.

Let me know how you get on.

Morley25

Sounds like something I had (for a couple of years). I scrubbed away at it which made it worse and I hated the way it looked. I was watching embarrassing bodies one night and someone had exactly the same thing and the doctor advised just to put some ketoconazole shampoo on it in the bath for a few minutes once or twice a week. I tried this and only had to use it once and it was gone!!

I would advise getting it checked though.