Dry elbows are a common problem.

Sometimes, dry skin on the elbows may appear gray or whitish in color (ashy).

Usually, dry skin on the elbows is nothing to worry about.

A person applying lotion to their dry elbow.

Ivan-balvan / Getty Images

Ivan-balvan / Getty Images

3 Fixes for Dry Elbows

Managing dry elbows can be an easy task.

The key is understanding the reason why the elbows are dry in the first place.

Stay Moisturized

To combat dry elbows, it is important to keep the skinmoisturized.

If the dryness or itching does not improve, contact a healthcare provider.

If you’re a smoker, quitting may be the best way to address your dry elbows.

Using non-drying soaps or skincare products or simply looking for a gentler product may also help.

Because stress can aggravate these conditions, avoiding stressful situations may help.

What Causes Dry Elbows?

Dry elbows usually have common causes and improvement can be made with lifestyle adjustments.

Sometimes, however, the dryness can be a sign of an underlying condition.

You should also see your healthcare provider if:

Although uncommon, dry and cracked elbows can become infected.

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