The crusting could mean that you have eczema or psoriasis. These are signs that your body is overloaded with toxins and your blood has to dump them on your skin which is safer that say dumping these lethal toxins on one of your vital organs. When you do recover your skin will become smooth again but if it was say one of your vital organs it may never totally recover to its full functioning capacity again.
I have recently found a great e book which actually goes into great details on how to cure eczema, Psoriasis and yeast using natural products. It goes into great details on what to do and what not to do and so on. I think you should get hold of this. It has helped me clear up my Eczema/ Psoriasis in no time at all.
If interested please e mail me for further information and I will send you a link.