It’s that time of year again. No, not for taking down the
Christmas tree, making New Year’s Resolutions or cleaning out the closet.
For many of us, it’s that time when our skin starts to feel like
bugs are crawling on it; when we want to claw our skin to relieve the
terrifying itch.
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| Credit: scripps.org |
Welcome to winter!
What to do? I’ve tried everything, or so it seems. I’ve used numerous products, even those remotely known to add moisture back to moisture-deprived skin.
My dry itching skin is not on my face at all, but rather on my midsection and lower legs.
It was time to find something that really works. So I’ve
been researching it for us. Here’s what I’ve found.
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| Credit: health.howstuffworks.com |
Yes, adding moisturizers to the skin is part of the solution. Use rich,
creamy products.
But that’s only a part of the solution for dry and itching winter skin. Here are other
recommendations from doctors:
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| Credit: amazon.com |
Use a humidifier. I’m unpacking mine tonight and using it
where I sleep. Any old kind will do so long as it adds moisture to the dry air.
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| Credit: extension.usc.edu |
Drink plenty of water. We (or at least I) tend to drink less water during cold weather.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll be drinking my at least 8 glasses each day.
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| Credit: grohe.com |
Take shorter showers, no more than five minutes. The water
should not be too hot or too cool. Lukewarm is the key here.
Two cautions here: If you see red blotches or severely scaly skin, your condition could be due to a rash or eczema, in which case you should consult a dermatologist.
Most sources agree that dry and itchy winter skin is due to two
factors:
- Less humidity in the air during cold winter months.
- The drying affects of our home heating systems.
Wish me luck? Are you afflicted with this condition?
Have you had success with particular products or procedures for dealing with this problem? If so, please share.
Hello Sanda
ReplyDeleteI do recall when I lived in a cold/snowy winter climate. One suggestion (and you will hate me, please don't) move to Florida!!!. O.K. I will be serious, I used use Gehwol for cracked heels and when my fingers cracked at the joints.
I use Eucerin as a body lotion.
Hope you find relief.
My best
Helen xx
Oh Helen, what a marvelous idea -- to get away from cold weather altogether! I am not familiar with the product you mention. If it worked for you perhaps I'll investigate. Enjoy your WARM Florida weather!
DeleteOnly during the past year, I have started itching too.
ReplyDeleteYour tips are all welcome.
Perhaps some detergents have something in them , which make me itch in my clothes?
I admit having used cortisone lotions when it gets real bad. Not suggesting those as a cure in general for anyone without a doctor´s order.
I know that some are allergic to detergents and other laundry products; however, since I don't have this problem during warm weather I don't suspect that's the cause of my itching. I started the regimen of a humidifier, lathering up in grapeseed oil and drinking loads of water today and believe it or not, I am not itching tonight! Let us hope it lasts. I also soaked in a lukewarm bath with an added packet of colloidal oatmeal, which is supposed to help the problem.
DeleteI hear you about the winter dry skin! My hair goes electric this time of year, too. I doubt a humidifier would help much here in the NE of England - it's a pretty damp climate to start with; I think we might drown! Doesn't stop me from itching though. I've found several things that seem to help. For one, I don't bathe or shower every single day any more. If I haven't done anything particularly sweaty, I can go a couple of days between showers. Most Americans will probably freak at this idea, but it works for me. Your short tepid showers might do for others. Another thing is to add a bit of vegetable oil to my body lotions. Not too much, but enough to make it 'richer'. I keep a loofah in the shower and scrub the areas most likely to be dry; shins are the worst by far, but the older I get the more body parts seem to dry out. Alternatively, I also have two plastic containers: one for oil, one for sugar. After I get wet, I turn off the shower, mix a little sugar with a little oil and scrub the dry bits. Without sloughing off the dry skin first, I find that no amount of lotion or oil relieves the itching. I put lotion on my legs and arms before I dress in the mornings and before I go to bed at night. Washing my hair less has also been a real help, and not just in winter. I love the silky feel of squeaky clean, conditioned hair, but my hair is so fine and flyaway it does what it wants and the windy, wet weather here instantly restyles it. Dirtier hair has more body, more weight and just behaves itself better. Even after a run I might or might not rinse it out and condition a little. I've found that washing about once a week seems to work the best for me.
ReplyDeleteShelly, even though the climate is damp, the air inside is dry because of heating systems. Oh, I think your suggestion of not showering/bathing every day in winter is a good one! A sponge bath every other day works just fine and should help dry skin. And the oils are a good idea as well, as they are "greasier" than most lotions. I had not thought of the need of sloughing off dry skin before applying the lotions/oils. And the loofah would certainly scratch the itch as well! I don't wash my hair each day, only 2-3 times a week now. I used to wash it every day when I went to work, and in summer I still do if I work outside and get hot. We have to try different things to solve our problems! Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteI have dry skin that just gets drier in the winter. My dermatologist recommended Cetaphil. After you shower leave you skin slightly damp and slather it on. She told me to get the large jar of it, not the kind in a pump dispenser. She thinks people who use the pump dispenser don't use enough. If I am faithful about using it (there's the problem!) it works. It is available at Costco. No, I don't own stock in the company, LOL! I think skipping the occasional daily shower is a good idea as well although that is kind of difficult for me. Old habits die hard.
ReplyDeleteCetaphil is a very good product; I've used it and know it's recommended by detmatologists. It's amazing, but in just the short time I've followed the regimen outlined in this post, my skin hasn't been itching, so I think I'll stick with it!
DeleteHaving very dry sensitive skin have learnt to take warm baths of no longer than 10 minutes then slather on Aqueous cream works for me all year round.A 500g tub costs about £5 cheap + no scent which tends to dry out skin.,
ReplyDeleteThe nonscented products definitely are the best ones! I'm not familiar with Aqueous; I'll have to look for it. My grapeseed oil seems to be doing the trick, however. Are you like me - have the problem only in cold weather?
DeleteI usually switch to oily shower gels and try to reduce the heat of the water. But I agree we don't drink enough water! I immediatly see the dehydriation on my face as tiny ridges start to form, so I'm trying to develop a regualar routine of drinking a certain amount of water at certain hours of the day.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above, I can already see an improvement in my dry skin through drinking more water, more moisturizer and the humidifier. I should start spaying my face several times a day with the Avene mist I have.
ReplyDelete