* Don't spend a lot of money. For example, petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is very good for keeping moisture in itchy, dry skin. Other preparations you buy will usually be more expensive and often contain perfumes, lanolins, or propylene glycols. Many persons often react to these substances. Before you spend a lot, talk to a doctor.

* Beware of "soothing" lotions containing mild anesthetics or diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Some persons react to these substances.

* Don't stop and start skin treatments and expect them to work. Use them consistently and follow directions carefully.

* Do not use cortisone creams on the face for more than a week without a doctor's instruction.

* Don't jump to conclusions. For example, an itch in the groin is not always "jock itch." You will see from the problems below that it could also be psoriasis, yeast, scabies, and several other conditions. If the first treatment does not work, it may be time to ask for help. A doctor has a lot of trouble figuring out the cause of a problem if you visit after you have tried many different treatments.

Dry skin, without an obvious red rash, will cause you to itch. Oily soaps (Dove), moisturizing body washes, and bath oils, or petroleum jelly applied to wet skin after a bath or shower usually help. Use as little soap as possible or reduce your frequency of bathing to relieve dry skin. Lotions or creams containing urea or lactate also hold the water in the skin. Hydrocortisone creams may be needed as well.

Scabies (as well as body lice) are spread from person to person. Scabies most often occurs between the fingers, and warm folds in the body (navel, behind the knees, and the groin).

Red, moist, small bumps, and pimples in moist areas of the body may be caused by yeast. Yeast is more difficult to treat when the person has diabetes.

Itching, cracking, and scaling on feet or hands may be caused by the fungus of athlete's foot. It is most noticeable between the toes. In the groin the skin is often redder. It also has a very clear border around the small red, scaly patches separating them from normal skin.

Yeast and "athlete's fungus" can be treated with over-the-counter azoles, nystatin, and many other new anti-fungal medications. The claims that one medication is better than another are generally not true -- all work in about 85% of cases; some work a bit faster but cost a lot more. If you have badly thickened skin from athlete's foot, the addition of a medicine that softens thick skin may be required.

The strongest repellent for most flying insects is DEET. DEET (10-35%) lasts many hours on either the skin or clothes. Young children should use DEET 10% or less.

Soybean oil products last a few hours. Skin-So- Soft and citronella last about 30 minutes.

Once the insect has bitten, the itch may be relieved by 1% cortisone. The bites of some spiders and scorpions contain potent toxins that can cause deep skin damage and severe pain. Medical attention should be sought whenever the border of a bite keeps spreading.

The amount of skin wrinkling and skin cancers doctors find in older age can be reduced if adults and children protect their skin from the sun by:

• Not being in the sun from 10am - 2pm.
• Protecting the skin and wearing at least UVA/UVB SPF 15 sun block when in the sun. HOWEVER, THIS MAY NOT PREVENT MELANOMA SKIN CANCER.

Almost all skin cancers are related to the sun. Check yourself regularly.

• A raised, thickened skin lump that may form an ulcer -- basal cell cancer.
• A raised, scaly, sometimes itchy skin lump can indicate actinic or squamous cancer.
• A raised, dark spot that is Asymmetrical (one half does not match the other) with an irregular Border and an uneven Color can mean melanoma. (Remember: ABC)

A doctor needs to see any skin changes you are concerned about.

What about Tretinoin (Retin A) for skin cancers and wrinkles? This cream will reduce many changes of sun-aged skin -- particularly wrinkles and mottled pigment. But this medication dries the skin and must be used all of the time to keep its effect. Studies do not yet show if its use prevents cancer.

You must protect yourself from the sun when you use Tretinoin.

Fungal and bacterial infections, including athlete's foot, occur because the feet are usually enclosed in a damp, warm place. This is an ideal growing place for fungi and bacteria. Such infections cause redness, blisters, peeling and itching. If not treated promptly, an infection may become chronic and difficult to cure. To prevent infection, keep the feet -- especially the area between the toes -- clean and dry. Expose the feet to sun and air whenever possible. If you are prone to fungal infections on your feet, you may want to dust your feet daily with a fungicidal powder. (See Moist Area problems above).

Warts are skin growths caused by viruses. They are sometimes painful. If your doctor finds that a wart is the cause of your problem, your doctor will partially remove it with a knife and treat it with a liquid.

You should avoid things that obviously bother your skin. Usually, eczema responds very well to 1% hydrocortisone (steroid) cream. Hydrocortisone (which can be purchased without a prescription) is best if used at least twice a day. If the skin is usually very dry, mixing the hydrocortisone with Vaseline can help. Many persons find that putting the cream on damp skin (after a shower) works very well. Eczema on the palms of the hands often needs much stronger medicine.

Over time, eczema can lead to thickened itchy skin that is much more difficult to treat, so contact your doctor if it does not clear within a week or two.

We have tried to make the How's Your Health error-free. However, those involved in its preparation can not warrant that all of the information is accurate and complete. When you use How's Your Health as a guide for your health and medical care, be sure to discuss any questions about it with your doctor, nurse, or other health care worker.