Skin itching at the Elbow region will cause more discomfiture if you have dry elbows.  Elbow dryness and hardened skin can be set right by applying a good quality moisturizing cream.  However, if the skin on the elbow does not respond to the application of lotion or cream, it may be due to another medical issue like allergy or a more complicated health problem.

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Causes for hard and dry elbow

• The wrong cleansers: When you use a soap that does not moisturize your skin, it tends to be harsh on the skin.  In fact, the natural moisturizing oils that are present in your skin also get washed away by this soap, more so if it is a specially formulated anti-bacterial soap.  Moisturizers are needed to keep your skin hydrated after the use of such soaps
• Elbows at work: If you use your elbows to (1) lean on the table often, (2) lie down on the grass, or (3) while working on a desktop computer the skin on the elbows tends to become hard and dry.  To avoid damage to the skin exfoliate it once a week and apply a soothing cream to keep it healthy and hydrated
• Atopic dermatitis: This is a skin condition that leads to extreme dryness that is accompanied by itchiness.  For this problem, you need to consult a health care professional to get the treatment that is best effective for your symptoms, health condition, and age
• The weather:  Dehydration of the skin sets in extreme temperatures.  When the weather is too hot or too cold the skin dries up.  Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion on the elbow once or twice a day to keep the skin of the elbow well hydrated

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Treating hard and dry skin of elbows

• Do not use skin creams and lotions that contain steroids; use doctor recommended creams that are effective in reaching the lowermost layer of the skin and moisturizing/ repairing it
• Avoid skin creams that contain petroleum jelly or mineral oil as they tend to block pores.  Most skin creams contain these ingredients.  While choosing the product, read the label and select a cream that is devoid of these ingredients
• Use soaps that have natural cleansers and the right amount of moisturizer to wash skin; the more natural ingredients, the safer and more effective it will be
• The cleanser could also contain antioxidants that have been sourced from Vitamins to make your soap an effective cleanser cum moisturizer
• Soaps used to prevent dryness should also contain anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties in order to prevent infection-related problems of the skin

Ingredients: Shea butter and urea are important ingredients of a good moisturizing product to help reduce the dryness of elbow skin.

Urea: Urea has both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, as clinical studies have illustrated.  Due to this, it provides quick relief and healing of various skin problems.  Urea is also known to retard the itchiness of the skin and help heal wounds without leaving behind any scars.  The compound is also capable of water retention which helps prevent dehydration of the skin.

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Shea butter: This substance is a fatty oil that is derived from the nuts of the Karine Nut tree, found in Africa.  It is rich in Vitamins A, E, and F. (Vitamin F-rich compounds are made up of two important fatty acids namely linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid.) For centuries, Shea butter has been used to keep the skin glowing and healthy.  This is what it can do for the dry and hard elbow skin 

• It protects the skin by moisturizing it
• It softens the skin and maintains its moisture
• It does not clog pores or hair shafts in the process of moisturizing
• Its deep penetration potential ensures elasticity of the skin
• It can soothe itching caused by dryness or other skin infections

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