Winter Itch
Winter Itch
A friend once took her 5 year old son to the Emergency Room because after his bath he broke out in itchy painful hives. The culprit? Dry skin.
Although most of us experience some degree of dry, itchy skin during the winter, it’s hard to believe that your skin can get that dry, so itchy and dry in fact that it becomes painful.
What is it?
Winter itch is a term for dry, itchy skin that occurs during the winter. Cold, harsh winter weather combined with dry indoor heat can cause skin to lose moisture, feel tight, irritated and itchy (and that includes your face!).
Causes
Although winter weather contributes greatly to dry skin, there are many factors that can make the problem worse, including: Soaps, shower gels and skin care products with fragrance, harsh cleaning agents or deodorants. Even body depilatories that were fine in warmer weather can suddenly become irritating… and the more you scratch, the more you itch.
Solution?
If you’re a victim of winter itch, take time to investigate the cause. Cortisone crèmes are a quick fix but they aren’t recommended for long term use.
- Keep your baths and showers short and the water warm not hot–A long hot bath feels good but pulls moisture from skin
- Lower room temperature at night, crack a window and/or use a humidifier or a pan of water on radiators to keep moisture in the air.
- Use super hydrating bathing and personal care products with no fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dyes or propylene glycol to prevent irritating already dry skin.
- Use non-greasy moisturizing crèmes after a bath or shower – especially on arms and legs where skin is thicker with fewer oil and sweat glands.
- Keep toasty in cold weather by dressing in layers and eliminate itchy wools and synthetics garnished with glitter.
- Switch to fragrance free detergent and don’t use fabric softeners on sheets, pillowcases, wash cloths and towels or anything coming in direct contact with your skin.
Keep winter skin hydrated and if you need help go to www.dermHA.com
Stay beautiful,
Millie
