Winter Skin Itch
Winter itch is sometimes referred to as winter eczema, asteototic eczema and eczema craquele. When the temperature drops, the clear, cold days of winter can dry out your skin’s natural barrier, creating dry, itchy, and irritated skin. For some people the dryness is so severe that the skin becomes cracked and inflamed. These conditions can also worsen the symptoms of eczema.
Causes
Humidity helps keep your skin moist and healthy, and when the humidity drops below 40 percent, your skin begins to lose moisture, causing dryness and irritation. If your skin is exposed to decreased levels of humidity for several days, your skin can become severely dry, flaky and inflamed. You may even have experienced these symptoms after a long plane flight or a cold day on the ski slopes. Winter itch tends to be more common in the elderly and in people who already suffer from eczema or psoriasis.
Symptoms
- Dry skin
- Tightness
- Flaky skin
- Itchy skin
- Scales and ashy skin
Winter Itch Treatment
If your skin is itchy and irritated, apply TriCalm to help stop the itch, and then apply moisturizing cream. Avoid taking hot showers; instead take warm or lukewarm showers. Over-exposure to hot water can dry out the skin. After your shower, blot skin with a towel rather than rubbing it. Then apply moisturizing cream to damp skin to help lock in moisture (avoid creams with lanolin—an ingredient that can cause allergic reaction or irritation). Adding a humidifier in your home can also help your skin retain water even when you have the heat on. Drink plenty of water to help moisturize your skin from the inside.
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