Sounds like excema to me, unless you have blistery like bumps that sounds more serious.
I've had excema all of my life so I'm pretty familiar with it. Most common causes are excessive dry skin, mild allergic reactions, or even food allergies. Dry air from central heating doesn't help, I run a humidifier in the winter and end up using a lot of fragurance free moisturizer. Soap is an enemy, non diluted detergent also (2nd rinse is my friend), as is hot water which of course includes hot tubbing.
It helps to use corticosteriods for when things are bad but you don't want to use them regularly. Showering before and after with soap might not be what you want to do, it will increase your dryness. Oatmeal baths were always helpful to me especially before bed.
I'm a new spa owner so I'm experimenting with what works for me. I definately can't soak every night and I'm trying to keep the chlorine levels on the lower side. Haven't had any serious breakouts just the usual minor areas but its still early. Just ordered insparation's just soft so we'll see how that works.