Question: Hello, I have had skin problems since i was 13, I had acne which has cleared up but I have such dreadful skin its making me miserable. My doctor said my skin looked dry. My doctor also said that she thinks my symptoms are stress/anxiety related but I'm not so sure even though I've been through a lot of stress to put it mildly. I've added pictures to show what my skin is like. Any help or advice would be good because it makes me so depressed. Its also worth noting that I have the same skin all over the top of my back as in the pictures then a rash similar but less dry on my legs, arms and chest. One interesting thing that may or may not be of relevance - I was on holiday in the Costa XXXXXXX before this I only suffered from acne on my face. I went for a swim in the sea and the next morning I had the (I'm not exaggerating) worst cystic acne from top to bottom on my back. I thought I could possibly of had a allergic reaction to a pollutant in the sea? maybe It is just coincidence. What I've done to try and treat my skin - I cut out dairy for 1month. I had a gluten sensitivity test which came back negative. I had a TSH test for thyroid which came back negative. (Although maybe I need free T3/T4 test?) I have no iron deficiency I would note my sleep is pretty bad, lately I've had partial insomnia sleeping 2hours at a time. On the other end I would sometimes sleep for 10-14hours but my skin wasn't any better then. I've had M.E/CFS symptoms since my acne started when i was 13. I have a slight suspicion that my hormones are out of balance, or a gut issue. I've recently started taking the following supplements to see if they help - Vitamin D Pro biotic XXXXXXX Naturally Tri-Iodine 12.5 mg (I took it for 1 week but I read that you have to be careful with iodine supplementation so I stopped for now) I am also currently trying to up my calories above 2000-2500 as for along time I've eaten a small breakfast with 1 big meal a day which would be about 1000-1400 calories per day. I am 183 lbs 5'11 male. I didn't seem to lose any weight on such a calorie deficit. Thanks If you have any additional questions I will answer anything.

Hello thank you for the reply. My doctor said my skin appeared very dry. There isn't any itching. I haven't taken any drug, the dermatologist offered me accutane but I refused. I've recently been applying 'Dermol 500' it says 'an antimicrobial emollient and moisturiser for the management of dry and pruritic (itchy skin conditions, espically eczema and dermatitis' I was skeptical that this would actually do anything for me, but I am trying it anyway.