hard water, itchy skin??!!! help

[lapis]

I can't figure out where to put this so mods feel free to move if its not in the best place.

we have hard water. i don't know how hard and the first three months we were here in austria my skin was fine but the last month has been itchy...and im almost positive its the hard water. dh who doesn't have such sensitive skin doesn't have any itching. i have a family history and personal history w/ dry skin.

anyhow, do water softeners JUST for the sprayer exist? we have powder for our washing machine and i could care less if my dishes have a bit of white on them from the calcium build up. but what about my skin? I mean I've been lathering up in olive oil for the past week and that sort of helps but not really. or ARE there any oils/lotions that might be more helpful. i know there are a few here that have lanolin in them, might that be better? i'm open to just getting a heavier duty cream instead of softening our water (we are in a rental apartment so we can't really soften ALL the incoming water). is hard water bad for ones skin or can just be irritating to some?

also, I've only ever lived in cities that DO NOT have hard water so this is new for me... obviously : )

[marimara]

Are you on city water? It could be chlorine in the water that's causing the itchiness and they do sell shower dechlorinating water filters. I'm getting one this weekend. They sell dechlorinating bath salts as well, or you could use a bath ball with a dechlorinating filter.

[lapis]

yes, good point, we do have city water... but after asking around I found out that the chlorine levels are actually really very low here. In the past cities I've lived in I did use a chlorine filter, but I could SMELL the chlorine in those places. here, I really really can't smell anything. in fact I LOVE our water for drinking... being able to drink tap water is soooo nice. I do know that we have hard water though and maybe my skin just has to adjust... but in the meantime does anyone have thoughts on ways to keep my skin from itching me like crazy?

ok a few more questions:

one: olive oil as a moisturizer? any luck?
two: olive oil IN the bath? I've heard this is an eczema trick, anyone ever try it?
three: I've always had sensitive skin but never so dry that an every other day dose of some sort of light/natural lotion wouldn't suffice. However, If I do need to bring out the heavy duty/non natural moisturizing guns what do you suggest: I know eucerin is a fave among eczema folks but anything else you ladies like?

thanks again : )