Is the cold winter air causing your hands to become dry and flaky?

If so, the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver offers these suggestions:

  * Soak your hands in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. This gives your skin time to absorb the water.
  * Pat your hands dry and immediately apply a thick layer of an occlusive moisturizer to seal in the water.
  * If your hands still feel dry, wear a pair of light cotton gloves to bed at night. This will further reduce water loss.