Besides HRT, is there anything I can do to deal with skin changes at menopause?

I am 50 years old. As I get closer to full menopause, my skin is becoming dry, scaly and itchy (severe at times). My family doctor has prescribed an ointment and then a lotion which did not help. OTC's have not helped. Other than HRT, is there anything that I can do?

Here I go with the thyroid again but it does play a major role in menopause. It acts like a cranky little thermostat and is the cause of our nuclear hot flashes in the middle of the night...whew!! During menopause it tends to go bonkers on us and cause a myriad of uncomfortable symptoms like dry hair, dry itchy skin, heavy periods, scattered light periods, sudden chills, sudden flashes. Oh, it is a beast of a gland to be so small. Your dry skin could be the beginning of many menopausal symptoms due to spontaneous low or high thyroid activity. Your doc must have prescribed a steroidal ointment? That should have worked but since it didn't try to see an endocrinologist, a gland specialist. A simple blood test should reveal any thyroid problem. As for OTC products, I have many adopted troops in the deserts of Iraq and they ask specifically for "Aveeno" lotion for their cracked dry skin. It's dermatologist recommended and there are several kinds for specific skin problems but for dry, scaly skin the "Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion" is absolutely wonderful! The plastic pump bottle says, "Calms and relaxes with lavender, chamomile and ylang ylang". "Moisturizes for 24 hours...with colloidal oatmeal". Thanks to my troops I finally have something that works for my dry hands, too and I am hypothyroidal. I know how you are suffering and I hope this helps. Most pharmacies like Walgreens carry it. I think I paid around 9 or 10 dollars for 12 fluid oz. but you really don't have to apply much to get great soothing results.

My family Dr told me not to shower every day. Not unless you have to because of work etc. When my shower is done I hand wipe water off then put baby oil all over my body.Then when u towel dry don't tub...more or less kind of pat your skin. This has really helped me. I know so much happens to us as we get older.As you get closer to my age,60,you will notice you wont have to shave under arms or legs as much or pluck eyebrows.

Have you tried Keri lotion? Alpha Keri also comes in an oil form that you add to your bath water. I used to use it on patients with very dry skin. -works well. Another good one is Aveeno- especially for sensitive skin.

I had severe excema & dry skin everywhere. I started taking drinkable strawberry-kiwi aloe & it has helped tremendously. I take about 2 ounces a day. My dry eyes have also gone away. Plus no more constapation, it keeps me working smoothly. I get my aloe at www.elizabeths.unfranchise.com