Having regular skin that didn’t need much attention was something I’d gotten used to (and taken for granted) until one dry patch turned into lots of random, itchy, dry, red patches on my skin.

It was about a year or 18 months ago that I started to get eczema and to this day I’m still not sure what caused it.

Some people have suggested it was maybe stress but I don’t recall any amount of stress going on in my life at the time it appeared or even before.

After a bit of research and using my own initiative, I managed to get rid of all of my dry patches that had previously appeared on my arms, legs and hips.

The patches of dry skin became itchy and inflamedThe patches of dry skin became itchy and inflamed (Image: Newsquest) I know eczema is a condition that many people suffer with every day and it’s really not easy or quick to get rid of but I wanted to share what I did to get rid of the red and itchy patches on my body in the hopes that it might help even just one person.

Not only does it affect what your skin looks like, it can appear in the most random and obvious or sometimes less obvious places and after a while I noticed it was really dragging me down and making me feel less confident in my skin - I was determined to work hard at finding a solution.

It was also a real nuisance when it started to itch because scratching is one of the worst things you can do but it feels like that’s the only way to stop it.

How I got rid of eczema dry patches on my body

First of all, I’ll say I’m no expert or health professional and that I simply managed to find something that worked well for me after some trial and error.

I was determined to try and resolve the problem myself before going to see a doctor – I’m not sure why I felt this way but when researching, I guess I didn’t like the idea of possibly taking medication for it.

The dry patches appeared on my arms, legs and hipsThe dry patches appeared on my arms, legs and hips (Image: Newsquest) Call me cliché or cringey but I wanted to see if I could 'listen to my body' and find what it needed and act on it before I turned to anything else.

What is eczema?

The NHS describes eczema as a “common skin condition that causes itchy skin”.

My eczema-banishing routine

When looking into what eczema was and what could cause it or make it worse, I noticed a few suggestions and one was that showering in hot water can dry out your skin.

I loved a hot shower but one of the first changes I made was turning the temperature of my shower down so it was cooler but still warm enough – a simple and easy start.

The next thing I knew I needed to do was to add moisture to my skin – this involved adding a bit of time to my daily after-shower routine but boy did it help!

After trying a couple of different moisturisers and creams, I decided to try some cheaper alternatives that are available in supermarkets and shops like Superdrug and Boots.

I found that these products worked well for me and my skinI found that these products worked well for me and my skin (Image: Newsquest)

The products I used to get rid of eczema:

  • Sudocrem (Most supermarkets, Superdrug, Boots, Amazon) – I look out for multi-pack deals on Amazon or shop around for different size pots so prices vary
  • Sudosalve nappy rash treatment and Sudocrem care & protect (both Sudocrem products) are also handy for taking out in your handbag
  • Dove Exfoliating Body Scrub (Superdrug, Boots) – Around £3.50-7, sometimes there are 2 for £7 offers or something similar
  • Sanex Pro Hydrate Shower Gel (Most supermarkets, Superdrug, Boots) – Around £3, sometimes £2.50 or a different offer
  • Dove Body Love Barrier Repair moisturiser (Tesco, Asda) – usually £3.50 or a bit cheaper on Clubcard when on offer

I used a slightly different Sanex shower gel to begin with but I think the packaging or product may have changed or was discontinued so I moved on to Pro Hydrate to try and add moisture to my skin and it worked wonders.

A similar thing happened at Tesco where I get the Dove moisturiser from so I switched to the Barrier Repair version but it was just as good, if not better.

When looking into what my skin might need and after a family member suggested using it, I realised that Sudocrem helps repair the skin’s barrier so I started applying that to my dry patches and after using it religiously (three times a day every day at my worst points!), I really noticed a difference.

Combined with the other products mentioned above, the routine I came up with really helped moisturise my skin and I still use them now - some more than others but I’m always stocked up.

Every day routine when my dry patches were at their worst (itchy, red, sore, no sign of going away):

I’d gently rub the Dove Exfoliating Body Scrub onto my skin with my hand, including the dry patches (this might not work for everyone and could cause your eczema to become irritated - stop if it does - so I did this really carefully).

Then I’d shower using the Sanex Pro Hydrate shower gel.

Winter Skincare: How to Combat Dry Skin

When I was dry after my shower, I’d apply Sudocrem to all my dry patches.

I also carried the Sudosalve or Sudocrem care & protect with me, in every handbag I ever took out of the house, just in case I needed it.

More often than not, I’d start to feel itchy when out and about and I’d rub some of this onto the itchy area and it would quickly soothe it so I didn’t need to itch it and make it worse.

Routine when my skin got better (eczema starting to clear up, less itchy and visible):

I’ve always showered with the Sanex shower gel since I found it and still use it to this day – I even take it on holiday with me to make sure my skin doesn’t revert back to being dry if I use any fancy or perfumed harsher products.

Recommended reading:

I started to exfoliate less and I’d apply the Dove Body Love Barrier Repair moisturiser to all my dry patches instead of Sudocrem if I felt I could make the swap – this in the end made more sense to target the bad areas but I also rubbed it into the rest of my arms and legs in an attempt to keep all my skin hydrated and try to avoid new dry patches appearing.

My skin is now clear from dry, itchy, red patchesMy skin is now clear from dry, itchy, red patches (Image: Newsquest)

Routine now my skin is clear:

Now I’ve managed to really clear up my skin (I have no dry or itchy patches now) I’ve tried to always keep the bad eczema days in my mind to remind me that it’s worth looking after my skin.

I still use the Sanex shower gel but I only need the Dove moisturiser occasionally – if I feel the slightest bit of skin that’s a bit bumpy or just feels a bit dry, I’ll slap some of this on in the area that needs it.