Weak Nails

Have eczema on your hands? Think of bedtime as a chance to help heal those areas. Before bed, quickly soak your hands in warm -- not hot -- water. Put on a fragrance-free moisturizing cream, ointment, or prescription cream, and then pop on a pair of cotton gloves. The moisture will be locked into your skin while you sleep.

Harsh chemicals make their way onto clothes as they're made, packaged, and shipped. These can irritate your skin, so wash any new clothes before you wear them. An unscented, mild detergent is best. A second rinse cycle can't hurt.

All-cotton sheets help control your body heat so you don't get hot and itchy during the night. The higher the thread count, the smoother your sheets will stay over time. Lower thread counts may get rough after several washes and irritate your skin. Bamboo and silk are also good options for bedding but can be harder to care for.

Keep a washcloth in your refrigerator or freezer for those times when itching feels out of control. The cold will numb your skin and give you instant relief. It can also help ease redness and swelling. Put a towel between the washcloth and your skin, and leave it on for no more than 20 minutes at a time. You can also keep moisturizing creams in the fridge for an added calming effect.

Scratching can make an inflamed patch of skin even worse. To limit the damage you do, trim your nails short, and file them smooth. You can also try using the side or top of your hand to scratch instead of your nails.

Lots of things and habits can sap your skin of moisture. The roughest patches might appear where your skin is thinner -- your elbows, shins, and forearms. Causes may include:

This happens in about half of the women after they stop menstruating. As with other menopausal symptoms, it's triggered by the sharp drop in the female hormone estrogen. Vaginal dryness tends to linger because the tissues in the area get thinner and less flexible. Regular s*x or stimulation are just two ways to keep your va**na lubricated. Another is over-the-counter va**nal moisturizer.

It's the best -- and cost-free -- way to protect your skin and to guard against dryness. When you stick to the shade, you give your skin a chance to repair itself. Try not to step out between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is at its fiercest. Don't be fooled by overcast skies. The harmful ultraviolet rays pierce through clouds. They zap right through water, too.

Your mature years can trigger it. So can certain medications and health conditions like Sjögren's syndrome. They prevent your salivary glands from making enough saliva to moisten your mouth. Dry mouth can lead to more problems, like sores and tooth decay. Your doctor can diagnose the root cause and tell you if drugs, drops, or special rinses may help.

It's a common complaint, especially among older women: Itchy, dry skin that's usually worst in the winter. Overheated indoor air may be to blame. Also, your oil and sweat glands grow less active as you age. Both make it harder to keep your skin moist. One simple remedy is to drink lots of fluids, which helps your skin heal and bounce back more quickly.