LOL, no I wouldn't try to lotion a dog, either!

The most common skin issue is allergies. Grain free food helps, as most of the allergies are to grains. Did you change food when you moved up?

Another common issue for skin is protein itch. Protein in the food may be too high. Many grain free foods are 40% protein, and that is too much for my dogs. I stick to about 28% protein and the itching stopped.

Next is laundry detergent. Have you changed what you are using? My Sugar nearly scratched herself into a bald bloody mess before someone asked me if I use Tide, a detergent many pets AND PEOPLE are allergic to. This was after she'd been living here 4 years with no problems! I switched to a 7th Generation natural detergent, buy it at Whole Foods market, and that solved the problem. I did almost 60 loads of laundry in 2 weeks, doing all the pet beds, the sofa throw, our bedding right down to the mattress pads and on up, including the pillows, and then both our summer and winter duds (this happened in September, so we were right at he switching point).

Finally, he could find the indoors with heat on too drying. I list this last as it is rarely the issue, but seeing as you moved, it is a possibility. Can you add a humidifier to the rooms you use most?

Just some ideas, things to try, see what works for your boy.