Do you hate humidity? If you said yes, you’re probably thinking about the unrelenting humidity we suffer in the summer in many places in the U.S. Humidity in the winter is a good thing. And when we have low humidity during this season, we have to deal with the scourge of cracking, itching, flaking skin that the dry winter air brings to those of us living in cold, dry climates.
There is something you can do about it, although many people suffer with these conditions the whole season long. Maybe you’re one of them.
Dry Skin Dilemma
Even if you don’t have skin problems in general or you have never had them before in the winter, you can develop what dermatologists call xerosis or asteatosis: dry skin. “The normally fine lines in the skin become more visible and the skin feels rough and appears dull and flaky, according to the Department of Dermatology of the School of Medicine at The University of Iowa. You can get a serious case of dry skin on your face and hands, trunk, arms and legs. If your hands are extremely dry, you may experience burning and itching and cracks (fissures) which bleed.
Dry skin often leads to itching, sometimes severe enough, to interfere with everyday activities and even sleep. And dry skin is also unattractive, often resulting in thickened rough skin, dermatitis (red, inflamed skin) and round, scaly, itchy red patches scattered over the vulnerable parts of the body. Repeated scratching and rubbing of these areas can even cause yellow crusts or pus, indicating a bacterial infection is on its way.
It’s important to see your doctor about persistent or very uncomfortable dry skin conditions because these can be caused by other things than the winter. Some genetic diseases, such as atopicdermatitis and ichthyyosis (fish scale-like skin) may produce itching and redness. People who suffer from an under-active thyroid may have very dry skin. Various skin rashes from ringworm, allergies and contact dermatitis may have similar symptoms but need to be treated differently than dry skin caused by cold and dry climates.
How Winter Causes Dry Skin
First, you need to understand what normal skin is like. Your outer layer of skin is made up of dead skin cells, natural oils and lipids (fats) designed to protect your deeper layers of skin from irritants and toxins. But “cold weather and the low humidity that occurs as a result of indoor heating,” says Dr. Peter Helton, board-certified dermatologist from Southern California, “can strip away your natural protective layer of skin and wreak havoc with the skin’s ability to stay moisturized.
Prevention and Treatment
Prevention and treatment of dry, itchy skin often entails the same activities–unless the itching is severe or the skin is infected. Here are some basics to “undry” your skin:
-Always use gloves in the winter–even if the air doesn’t seem that cold. As soon as it drops to the 40s, wear gloves or mittens so your hands don’t get chapped.
-The same thing goes for your lips. Don’t wait until your lips are peeling; wear some kind of chap stick or protective lip gel.
-Don’t bathe every day. Just wash those areas that are prone to odor or bacteria–the groin, underarms and genitals. And when you do bathe or shower, limit it to 10 minutes in 24 hours, advise dermatologists.
-Don’t use hot water. While it may feel relaxing, hot water depletes the skin of its normal, protective oils-and ironically, make the dryness worse.
-Cut out or cut back on fragrances, harsh soaps, antibacterial agents and anti-acne creams that make dry skin worse. You may have to experiment by cutting one thing out for several days to see if any of these agents may be making your skin worse.
-Use milder, less drying and “fattier” soaps, such as Dove, Neutrogena Dry Skin Formula and Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin Soap.
-Avoid cleaning your face with astringents that contain any alcohol. L’Oreal’s Plentitude is one product that does not dry out your face.
-Moisturizers are very important and helpful, but only when they are used properly. After bathing or washing your face, pat-not rub-your skin partially dry. Then within a few minutes of getting out of the tub or shower, use a moisturizer to seal the remaining water into your skin before it evaporates. Moisturizers–the most effective are emollients and oils, followed by creams and lotions–play a big role in soothing itchy and flaky skin.
-Bring along your moisturizer to use at work after washing your hands.
-For severe itching and redness, use a topical cortisone (steroid) cream or ointment prescribed by your doctor. Prescription-strength medications are usually stronger and more effective than over-the-counter creams and ointments.
-Consider using a humidifier in your home if you think the indoor heat is causing skin problems. Use a unit next to your bed and close your door to keep the moisture in. However, always be scrupulous about cleaning a humidifier. Otherwise, molds may flourish in some parts of the equipment, adding an allergy or respiratory problem to winter woes.
One last bit of advice: Think cool in the winter. Lower the heat in your house and you’ll have more supple skin-and lower heat bills at the same time.
Source:
This article first appeared in Jewish Family & Life!
