8 remedies for ‘winter skin’
It’s winter, it’s cold and you’re uncomfortable. Your skin is dry, itchy, maybe even peeling and cracking in places, and it seems as if you’re scratching all the time. What the heck is going on?
It’s likely just “winter skin” – the National Library of Medicine defines it as xerosis. It’s a common condition that can affect anyone of any age and is caused by low humidity (indoors and out), which depletes the skin's natural oils and water.
“We have fats (ceramides) in the skin which help hold moisture,” said Elizabeth M. Tocci, MD, a dermatologist with Cape Cod Dermatology in West Yarmouth. “In the winter, when it’s cold and we’re heating our homes more, the air becomes dry and moisture leaves the skin. Also, as you get older, you lose some of the ability to retain those fatty molecules, and so dry skin can become itchy.”
Survival Guide
Dr. Tocci recommends the following tips from the American Academy of Dermatology’s survival kit to ease the discomfort of dry skin.
- Use fragrance-free creams, lotions and moisturizers that are hypoallergenic. Lotions from a pump dispenser tend to be thinner and not as effective as thicker creams or ointments from a tub or a tube. Oils also are best used as a base coat with a moisturizer over them.
- “I usually tell my patients, if things are really itchy, there are lots of creams available in the pharmacy,” said Dr. Tocci. “Oftentimes the ones that are marketed for eczema – as long as they are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free creams – can be helpful.”
- Apply lip balm or petroleum jelly to keep dry lips hydrated.
- Limit showering and bathing to 10 minutes or less and try to use warm water as opposed to steaming hot. “It’s counterintuitive, and while hot may feel good, the longer you’re in the water, the more it dries out the skin,” she said.
- Shave after showering or bathing when the skin is moist and hair is softer.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- A humidifier, especially in the bedroom at night, will help put moisture back into the air.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes and avoid fabrics that itch, like wool, or synthetics that don’t breathe as well.
- Sunscreen (SPF of 30 or higher) is recommended, even in the winter, for exposed areas, especially if you’re in the cold for an extended time.
When to see a doctor
Itchy, winter skin is typically seasonal, Dr. Tocci said, and will usually get better when the weather warms. However, she cautioned it may be necessary to see a dermatologist if home care doesn’t relieve the discomfort.
“If your normal daily activities are affected, or you’re not sleeping well, and the irritation doesn’t clear up with over-the-counter treatments, you should probably see a doctor,” she said. “And, of course, if a rash develops, that’s a sign something else might be going on as well.”
