Fighting Dry, Itchy Winter Skin
Winter is in full swing across the country, with temperatures hovering below freezing. Many people experience dry, irritated, cracked and chapped skin due to the combination of cold air coupled with extreme temperatures from indoor heating and outdoor sports. This time of year can be especially challenging for patients with eczema (a common condition where the patient experiences skin dryness and recurring skin rashes.)
The best way to prevent dry, irritated and chapped, cracked skin is to keep it fully moisturized. The first and simplest step that I recommend to my patients is using a humidifier indoors. Humidifiers add moisture to the air which can help you feel better and avoid getting sick. The additional moisture can eliminate or minimize a dry nose, prevent dry, itchy or cracked skin along with helping many avoid allergy and asthma problems. Most patients notice a difference in the skin severity immediately after the humidifier is in place.
The second step to reducing the symptoms of winter skin is to use a moisturizer with a higher oil content. These moisturizers form a layer of protection that literally locks in moisture. Ointments are also another good choice. An ointment is basically a water and oil emulsion that can contain as much as 70 to 80 percent oil. You can also use any products on the market for “extra” dry skin. While these do not contain as much oil as ointment, they do have higher oil content than traditional moisturizers, and this will definitely help protect and condition skin while reducing itchiness and redness associated with winter skin.
The greatest way to moisturize skin in winter months is to apply a moisturizer or ointment immediately after showering. During this time, there is the added benefit of locking in the moisture. Be sure to use warm (not hot) water for your showers. A hot, steamy shower or bath, while it can feel great on a cold day, can actually make your skin feel worse. Opt for warm showers and for best results, pat skin dry and immediately apply a highly moisturizing lotion or ointment. This will definitely help improve your skin and prevent it from drying out.
This blog wouldn’t be complete until we stress the importance of using sunscreen ― even in winter. Sunscreens are not just for the beach and sun bathing. Use a sunscreen everyday without exception. I suggest using a broad spectrum sun block with at least an SPF of 15, but preferably a SPF of 30.
Other helpful tips include dressing in layers to prevent skin from becoming too cold or too overheated (indoors). Sweaty, moist skin when combined with extreme and sometimes harsh temperatures can cause further irritation.
In addition, drink plenty of water. Not only does this help your skin replenish moisture, it helps your body in countless ways.
This is the advice I have given my patients for years and I hope that it helps reduce your dry and itchy skin so that the winter months can be more enjoyable.
Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.
Tags: chapped, cold temperatures, Dr. Neil Sadick, dry, humidifiers, irritation, itchy, moisture, oil, ointment, SPF, sunscreen, winter skin
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My skin is already cracking and bleeding in areas on my hands.
I have purchased and used all types of lotions and cures.
Currently I have resorted to baby oil or vasoline.
I am drinking more water.
Please do you have any other suggestions for me to get my skin back on track or a particular lotion that will be less messy?
My hands are so cracked right now that I have to wear bandaids on almost every finger because they bleed so much. They are so tender I can hardly do my work (I am a Court Reporter). I drink water all day long, keep applying lotions, limit the frequency of washing my hands and still they crack. I have even started sleeping in disposable gloves after applying lotion liberally to my hands. Can you offer any suggestions or remedies?
Thanks,
Lynette
Check out http://www.oreganopro.com or do a search on ‘Oil of Oreganol’ Make sure the company is NAHS and states P73. This is super strength oil.
works really well when applied externally for eczema/psoriasis or for other ailments when taken orally. about $42-$52 a bottle, but it lasts a while.
I have found that if I take 2 to 3 omega 3 fish oil pills a day in addition to a good quality lotion I eliminate the problem of dry ichy skin. It is also very good for your cartio-vascular system.
drinking a lot of water is also important and many people forget that hydration starts from the inside! in addition, for those like the comments above that are having cracked and bleeding hands, try putting on lotion/oil before going to bed and covering your hands with gloves (also works on feet with socks)
i agree wholeheartedly that just having a humidifier is extremely helpful.
exfoliating in the shower and then applying lotion or oil can help remove the dead skin and help with flaking.
using a little olive oil instead of lotions and creams can also help. if you don’t like the smell, you can cut it with a few drops of essential oil like lavendar or whatever smells good to you. the main thing to remember is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on creams and lotions. oftentimes, the best remedies are right in your kitchen.
I have just recently started using skin so soft bath oil right after I take a shower and I must say that it has helped immensely. It is a spray that you apply to your skin while still wet, and pat dry with a towel. it does a very good job of retaining moisture, and keeps my skin from itching. I used to not be able to lay on my stomach because my skin would start itching so badly, but now this product has taken that away!
With regard to mositure on our skin, it is important to remember the skin is our largest organ. It is a filter as well as a protector. Using mostiurizers with mineral oil, petroleum and lanolin oils are occlusive meaning their cells are too large to penetrate the skin and instead they create a seal over the skin. This will cause longer term problems because the skin needs to breathe. Depending on the level of refinement, mineral oil can also be defined as comedogenic, which means it can clogpores and induce acne lesions or comedones.
Products with mineral oils also make the skin look dry and flaky as the mineral oil dries on the skin leaving a residue. People should be looking to botanical products without the harmful side effects of products with mineral oil.
Great Tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This blog will really help out those who are facing wrinkled skin due to old age.By using your tips they can look only 20 years old instead of 40.I must say that I have never gone through such an informative blog before regarding tips related to anti aging treatment.I really appreciate your job to give such a great tips to recover wrinkled and rough skin occurred due to growing age.
Great Tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This blog will really help out those who are facing wrinkled skin due to old age.By using your tips they can look only 20 years old instead of 40.