Dry red scaly skin with white heads?

Not real sure what this is I haven't been able to find it on the internet. I have a patch on my arm and my waist. it's real dry and scaly looking and white head looking things under it. I popped one of them out of curiosity one day and it seemed like a pimple. I tried acne medication on it just in case and it did nothing. I have tried several different over the counter topical medications. I had read on one site about skin rash's to try peroxide but I figured that would dry it out more. I put moisturizing lotion on it but it does no good either. I got laid off not long ago so I don't have insurance to go see a dermatologist about it. any ideas? thank you