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So far, my skin is okay. I'm not taking nearly as much riba as you are, though.
For the skin I've been using a urea based used in the treatment of ichthysosis and hyperkeratotic skin (read extreme dry and itchy skin!) and it really helps. I use a 10% one in a non lanolin base and it works great. You can get it in a 40% concentration for extreme cases. Check at a pahrmacy. It's OTC where I love (NZ).
Best,
Epi.
JT/ Granite....Thanks I'll keep up the drinking...water that is. I already take 2 caps of fish oil per day, may try upping it one more.
And, yeah, I do love where I live :))
I've had this 'cracking' of the skin especially on my lower back, when I bend over to pick up something etc. I have found that regular use of body butters does wonders, as it also repairs the skin. It works much better than moisturizers. Also massaging a lot of it into the feet at night and sleeping with 100% cotton socks helps moisturize during the night.
I sometimes will do a salve or bees wax on my feet before bed and then put a pair of socks on.
On my hands, I tried all of the different creams the Chemist gave Lemnis Fatty Cream (also available on prescription), which is paraffin-based and was very oily. However, if I used it on my hands before sleep, they would 'plump up' by morning and I found it a lifesaver.
I did sleep in socks a couple of times. I used a PH balanced soap alternative in the shower and stopped walking barefoot, even in the house. I was drinking absolutely bulk water, but I still had the problem (more noticeable if I reduced the water though). I don't know whether it was the IFN or the riba, but the dryness did seem to get worse on day 4,5,6 after the shot. It was another sx that settled down somewhat as time went on (or was I getting used to dealing to it?). Good luck - post tx 6 weeks I'm still drinking water but minimal amounts in comparison; my skin normalised quickly.
Thanks for all the tips.....Pam