Searching for the right cleanser

For ten years, I have had excema on my hands and feet.  They get extremely cracked and sore at least once a month.  I have also had recurring boils on my inner thighs.  I constantly get small boils that cause no problem, but I get large, very painful ones about once a month.  I bathe daily and use moisturizing lotions, but the problems never get any better. What would be the best kind of skin cleansers and lotions to use to help with my conditions?  What should I look for - ph balanced, soap free, antibacterial?  I have heard that Cetaphil or Phisoderm products can help greatly, but I don't know which would be best.  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Keeping the affected area moistened can promote skin healing and relief of symptoms.

Soaps (especially anti-bacterial ones) and harsh detergents should not be used on affected skin because they can strip natural skin oils and lead to excessive dryness. Instead, the use of moisturizing body wash, or an emollient like aqueous cream, will maintain natural skin oils and may reduce some of the need to moisturize the skin. Another option is to try bathing using colloidal oatmeal bath treatments. In addition to avoiding soap, other products that may dry the skin such as powders or perfume should also be avoided.

Moistening agents are called 'emollients'. In general, it is best to match thicker ointments to the driest, flakiest skin. Light emollients like aqueous cream may not have any effect on severely dry skin. Some common emollients for the relief of eczema include Oilatum, Balneum, Medi Oil, Diprobase, bath oils and aqueous cream. Sebexol, Epaderm ointment and Eucerin lotion or cream may also be helpful with itching.

Lotions or creams may be applied directly to the skin after bathing to lock in moisture. Moisturizing gloves (gloves which keep emollients in contact with skin on the hands) can be worn while sleeping. Generally, twice-daily applications of emollients work best. While creams are easy to apply, they are quickly absorbed into the skin, and therefore need frequent reapplication. Ointments, with less water content, stay on the skin for longer and need fewer applications, but they can be greasy and inconvenient.

ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema

Cetaphil is recommended by dermatologists, so you could give these products a try. However you should realize that eczema has no cure. What you are trying, at best, is to reduce the rate of recurrence.