very dry calloused elbow

JT · 01-17-2005, 05:38 PM

My left elbow is very calloused from years of leaning on it and banging it, etc. and it gets very dry and rough skin that keeps building up. I put moisturing lotion on it morning and night but it doesnt seem to help much to soften it up. Can anyone recommend any good lotions/creams or ways to soften the skin up? I'm already careful not to lean on it too much and stuff.

BeeBee · 01-17-2005, 06:03 PM

Try some of the ones for very dry feet. Look for something with alpha-hydroxy in it and use regularly.

JGNI · 01-17-2005, 06:41 PM

Urea cream 10 or 20% (Uremol). Creams must be applied right after washing, on skin that has just been gently dried (still has water in) for max benefits.

C5-C6 pharmacist

SCI-Nurse · 01-18-2005, 08:12 AM

It is important to take care of areas like this as thick callous can crack, which can allow infection to set in, and I have seen a number of bad elbow pressure ulcers, several that led to osteomyelitis of the elbow, and a couple to actual arm amputation.

Apply your lotion or cream immediately after bathing when skin in still moist. I like Bag Balm or Udderly Soft (the latter is less greasy) but there are plenty of good products out there. You could also just try some petrolatum, applied thickly, then wrap with a moist warm towel for 15 minutes, then remove. We often used this for badly calloused feet.

In addition, use of an elbow pad is strongly encouraged to prevent further trauma to the area, esp. if you do not have good sensation. Heelbos work well, and can be worn under long sleeved shirts. The gel ones are more expensive than the foam ones, but work better.

(KLD)

wheelman21 · 01-19-2005, 06:35 AM

When my elbows get dry, I use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Cream, Soothing Moisture Moisturizing Cream with Cocoa Butter. It works pretty well.

01-17-2005, 05:38 PM	#1
JT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 479	very dry calloused elbow My left elbow is very calloused from years of leaning on it and banging it, etc. and it gets very dry and rough skin that keeps building up. I put moisturing lotion on it morning and night but it doesnt seem to help much to soften it up. Can anyone recommend any good lotions/creams or ways to soften the skin up? I'm already careful not to lean on it too much and stuff.

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01-17-2005, 06:03 PM	#2
BeeBee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 991	Try some of the ones for very dry feet. Look for something with alpha-hydroxy in it and use regularly.

01-17-2005, 06:41 PM	#3
JGNI Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 1,223	Urea cream 10 or 20% (Uremol). Creams must be applied right after washing, on skin that has just been gently dried (still has water in) for max benefits. C5-C6 pharmacist

01-18-2005, 08:12 AM	#4
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,354	It is important to take care of areas like this as thick callous can crack, which can allow infection to set in, and I have seen a number of bad elbow pressure ulcers, several that led to osteomyelitis of the elbow, and a couple to actual arm amputation. Apply your lotion or cream immediately after bathing when skin in still moist. I like Bag Balm or Udderly Soft (the latter is less greasy) but there are plenty of good products out there. You could also just try some petrolatum, applied thickly, then wrap with a moist warm towel for 15 minutes, then remove. We often used this for badly calloused feet. In addition, use of an elbow pad is strongly encouraged to prevent further trauma to the area, esp. if you do not have good sensation. Heelbos work well, and can be worn under long sleeved shirts. The gel ones are more expensive than the foam ones, but work better. (KLD)

01-19-2005, 06:35 AM	#5
wheelman21 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 312	When my elbows get dry, I use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Cream, Soothing Moisture Moisturizing Cream with Cocoa Butter. It works pretty well.