I have dry scaly skin on the whole of my back. I also have it on my elbows, knees and legs. It's so bad I don't like going out.

If the state of your skin is making you so miserable that you don't want to go out, then I think you should see your doctor. In the meantime, try applying good moisturising cream, such as E45 ...

Does scaly skin make you itchy or uncomfortable? It may just be regular dry skin. But if over-the-counter (OTC) products don't help, you may need medical care. There are many reasons for scaly skin.