 |
Dry Skin in Winter: How to Get Relief
Author: James Fairfield  | Posted: 30-01-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 7 | Rating: (53)  (?) 
Dry skin, itchy skin! That’s what so many of our clients complain of, once winter settles in. It’s so uncomfortable! But sometimes the remedies people try are the opposite of what their winter skin needs. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to keep your skin hydrated and comfortable.
Would you believe that some of these steps involve your home? Consider this: The first, biggest enemy of skin hydration is dry air. Hot air blowing around in your home from heating systems usually contains no water molecules at all. So by January the drywall and furniture are completely dried out, with no more moisture to give back to the air. Your entire household is dried out! That’s why this time of year is when we see most dry skin problems.
How do you recognize this dry winter skin syndrome? You’ll see tiny dry flakes on your legs, and your skin becomes itchy – sometimes insufferably so – especially when you undress at night and the back of your arms, hips, and legs itch to the point you can draw blood by scratching. You now have … The Winter Itch!
So what can you do? First step – everything you can do to increase humidity in your household air.
Lower your home’s temperature, because cooler air can hold more water molecules. I recommend 66 degrees at night and around 70 degrees during the daytime – slightly higher (72) if you have children.
If you have a choice, use radiant or baseboard heating instead of forced air.
Humidifiers are helpful. Be sure to use additives in the water to retard bacterial and mold growth. (Mold spores can trigger allergies, and some are even dangerous.)
Next, help your skin retain moisture. As the household air tips above indicate, your skin can take moisture from the air – and lose it to dry air, as well. Skin has a protective barrier of dead cells that slow down this moisture loss. So you’ll want to take very good care of this protective layer. This is where so many people get into trouble with winter skin care. When skin starts flaking, it’s easy to think that the flaky skin is the problem itself, and try to wash or exfoliate it. And then it’s easy to end up with seriously dry, itchy skin!
You see, the second biggest enemy of skin hydration is over-washing. The skin’s barrier against water loss is easily removed by frequent or vigorous washing – especially with harsher soaps, loofahs, and other scrubbers. Removing the protective layer exposes the next layer of skin. This layer is alive and easily inflamed when exposed to dry air. And it’s inflammation that triggers the itch sensation. Scratching the itch further disrupts your skin’s natural barrier – so infection can occur, and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis will be exacerbated. Here are 7 bathing tips to keep from washing away your skin’s moisture protection.
Bathe as infrequently as you can get away with, certainly no more than once daily. If you go to the gym, a simple rinse-off is sufficient for the non-odor areas.
Keep your bath or shower brief.
Avoid physical scrubbing agents completely. This means NO washcloth, except for odor areas.
Avoid hot water; use warm instead.
Soaps should be of the moisturizing variety (like Dove, Caress, Tone). Use sparingly.
Pat dry with the towel – no scrubbing dry.
Immediately after patting dry, apply a generous amount of moisturizing lotion to your skin, especially where most exposure to ambient air occurs – your arms and legs. Then apply a facial moisturizing cream.
Then, while your skin still feels moist, be sure to put on adequate clothing that covers up air-exposed areas as much as possible, to retain your skin’s water. Apply more of your moisturizing, hydrating skin care products throughout the day. You cannot overdo it! And speaking of products – over-the-counter moisturizing lotions and creams are much better than none at all. However, recent developments in hydrating products incorporate hyaluronic acid and green tea, which both attract and hold water. These formulations are anti-inflammatory, and they are available in medical offices.
Here’s the basic moisturizer rule: Whenever you are tempted (or driven) to scratch – that is when you need a moisturizing lotion or cream. You’ll soon know how often your skin needs to have additional moisturizing help to prevent these episodes of severe itching.
Try these methods for dry skin relief. Your skin will thank you!
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/dry-skin-in-winter-how-to-get-relief-319745.html
About the Author:James C. Fairfield, MD has established the oldest and most respected dermatology practice in the Delaware Valley. For more free cosmetic dermatology information and resources and to sign up for his free report, Erase the Years, visit his web site at www.cmderm.com
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Fraxeltm – or Just a “fractionating Laser”? Why It’s Important to you
By: James Fairfield | 15/01/2008 | Skin Care
You see ads and offers for whiz-bang fractionating lasers and wonder—do they mean Fraxel? Not necessarily! The Fraxel laser is an amazing new technology for reversing the effects of age and sun damage on the skin. Here are tips for being sure your skin rejuvenation treatment uses the genuine Fraxel laser.
“wear Sunscreen!” True Advice From a Fake Speech, and Tips to Protect your Skin From Sun Damage
By: James Fairfield | 15/01/2008 | Skin Care
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the great sunscreen speech hoax. One thing that isn’t a hoax: sun damage ages your skin, and can leave it vulnerable to skin cancers. Sunscreen offers effective skin protection – if it’s the right sunscreen, used properly. What most people think is adequate sun protection usually isn’t. Here are tips to avoid the aging effects of sun damage.
Smart Lipo – Smarter for Stubborn Fatty Areas Than Liposuction
By: James Fairfield | 24/01/2008 | Skin Care
Fat. It accumulates under our skin, especially as we get older, right where we don’t want it. Diet and exercise help with overall weight reduction, but sometimes even regular workouts simply can’t get rid of lumpy fat in those problem areas. Love handles, saddlebags, tummy fat – they’re why a lot of people are interested in a new treatment called “Smart Lipo.” It’s a minimally invasive procedure with great advantages over regular liposuction.
How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin
By: Scott Baker | 29/07/2006 | Business
A number of other conditions will bring about dry skin, including: use of a medication (especially a pain killer or antidepressant), traveling, sudden change to diet, and even dehydration. The key, of course, is how to prevent and stop dry skin.
Age Spots: You Can Lighten Them Up With a Chemical Peel
By: James Fairfield | 19/06/2008 | Skin Care
Freckles were cute when you were playing T-ball, but now you're thinking…What is that – an age spot?!? You may inherit a tendency to get these distressing marks on your face and hands, or your lifestyle may encourage sun damage to bring them out. Here's the 4-1-1 on chemical peel treatments to abolish age spots or fade them out, and rejuvenate your skin.
By: | 31/12/1969 |
Your Quick Guide to Facts About Dry Skin
By: Helen Hecker | 23/02/2007 | Non-Fiction
Symptoms most associated with Xeroderma (dry skin) are scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching and cracks in the skin. It's easy to treat dry skin cheaply, simply, naturally, yet effective, at home.
Relieve Dry Itchy Damaged Skin Fast Naturally
By: Helen Hecker | 02/04/2007 | Non-Fiction
The skin is subject to constant attack from without; it can be affected by many conditions, diseases and ailments.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Well I have been using pot to help calm myself ...
By: Scott | 29-08-2008
Well I have been using pot to help calm myself down from having ADHD, bipolar, and many other things. It has worked I noticed more confidence in myself but my grandma found out and kicked me out of the house. I don't know what I did wrong. Any suggestions to help?
My kids don't like to fall asleep at a normal time ...
By: west454 | 29-08-2008
my kids don't like to fall asleep at a normal time, they eat well, no sugar, play hard and do very well in school, but are all night owls, any suggestions?
Can mercury amalgams cause dermititis and cause ...
By: Miky | 28-08-2008
can mercury amalgams cause dermititis and cause dark pigmentation skin?
Sobriety
By: jam jam | 28-08-2008
Does your tollerance ever change when u quit drinking ?
Free or low cost Pychiatric help? at the end of my rope
By: ponskey | 28-08-2008
Can someone guide me toward free or low - cost Psychiatric Help? I am needing to file bankruptcy. I have already lost my house. I am unhealthy - physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. I am undereducated and broke with no prospects. If it werent for my three, beautifull, dogs, who are becoming more of a financial burdon as their health detiorates, I would have shot myslef by now.
Emotional walls
By: hmvp12 | 28-08-2008
In love and relationships, what makes emotional walls come up and how can I help my partner break those down? She has been in love and with no recipricocation and had her heart broken. She can't cry in front of me or even say she loves me. I am very committed to this relationship and I want her to know that I am in this for good and to be able to trust that.
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Health Articles
What Makes Smoke Inhalation Dangerous
By: Rachel Yoshida | 06/09/2008
Most would agree that it is not natural, but what really happens when smoke is inhaled?
Dealing With Menstrual Flooding
By: Rachel Yoshida | 06/09/2008
It is not a popular subject,but there are many that needs this information if you are having trouble in this area.
Treatments And Medications for ADHD
By: Paul Hata | 06/09/2008
There are mainly two types of treatment which is generally used to cure the ADHD types of treatment for ADHD; pharmacological and non-pharmacological. It is been found out in various studies that 70% to 80% children are benefited by the stimulant drugs.
How to Prevent Stomach Ache and Abdominal Pain
By: Robert Sifer | 05/09/2008
For stomachache in children, parents should notice habits and symptoms of their children. For adults, they also should notice themselves which food that they consume always cause stomach pain to them and try not to eat those food.
Improving Your Emotional Intelligence May Be As Easy As Getting More Sleep
By: Brenda Skidmore | 05/09/2008
Have you ever wondered how hard you should be working at solving a challenging problem in your life? No matter what the challenge may be, that little extra edge advantage may just lie in something that a lot of people seem to take for granted now days.
Cystic Acne - Pizza Face and Other Names
By: Jeremy Thompson | 05/09/2008
Cystic acne is one of the worst types of acne there is. Often people with serve cystic acne are called pizza face because to the redness which appears in their face.
How to Trim Your Medical Wait Time in Half
By: Jay Siva | 05/09/2008
Patients often wait months if not years for a medical transplant and other life saving surgery and time is not on your side when you're in dire need of medical care. Find out how you can cut that time in half.
Its a Social Service to Empower Those We Care For
By: John Mce | 05/09/2008
People with physical or psychological problems often need help with their everyday lives but still wish to be as free and self-governing as possible. Care workers can provide this practical support on a daily basis without stifling the person, and as the industry advances we are seeing very encouraging improvements from both the giver and receiver of social services such as care.
More from James Fairfield
Age Spots: Spotting the Best Treatments to Fade Skin Discoloration
By: James Fairfield | 18/07/2008 | Anti Aging
"Dr. Fairfield, are these age spots? Help! Make them go away!" This is something I've heard from my clients forever. Fortunately, now there are effective treatments to fade, or even abolish, these unsightly darkened blotches that appear on the face and the backs of hands.
Age Spots: You Can Lighten Them Up With a Chemical Peel
By: James Fairfield | 19/06/2008 | Skin Care
Freckles were cute when you were playing T-ball, but now you're thinking…What is that – an age spot?!? You may inherit a tendency to get these distressing marks on your face and hands, or your lifestyle may encourage sun damage to bring them out. Here's the 4-1-1 on chemical peel treatments to abolish age spots or fade them out, and rejuvenate your skin.
Gift Ideas for the Man in Your Life: Men's Skin Care Products
By: James Fairfield | 02/05/2008 | Skin Care
Let's face it: finding gift ideas for men can be tough. You take good care of your skin. Why not help your favorite guy do the same with a gift of men's skin care products, or maybe even a cosmetic dermatology treatment?
Men’s Skin Care: a Gift for Your Fave Guy
By: James Fairfield | 10/04/2008 | Skin Care
Gift ideas for men can be hard to find. Ties, tools, gadgets – there’s only so many times you can go there! Want to think outside the box? Birthdays, holidays, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, think skin care products – or how about a cosmetic dermatology treatment?
Smart Lipo - Smarter for Stubborn Fatty Areas Than Liposuction
By: James Fairfield | 26/01/2008 | Health
Fat. It accumulates under our skin, especially as we get older, right where we don't want it. Diet and exercise help with overall weight reduction, but sometimes even regular workouts simply can't get rid of lumpy fat in those problem areas. A new treatment called "Smart Lipo." It's a minimally invasive procedure with great advantages over regular liposuction.
Smart Lipo – Smarter for Stubborn Fatty Areas Than Liposuction
By: James Fairfield | 24/01/2008 | Skin Care
Fat. It accumulates under our skin, especially as we get older, right where we don’t want it. Diet and exercise help with overall weight reduction, but sometimes even regular workouts simply can’t get rid of lumpy fat in those problem areas. Love handles, saddlebags, tummy fat – they’re why a lot of people are interested in a new treatment called “Smart Lipo.” It’s a minimally invasive procedure with great advantages over regular liposuction.
“wear Sunscreen!” True Advice From a Fake Speech, and Tips to Protect your Skin From Sun Damage
By: James Fairfield | 15/01/2008 | Skin Care
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the great sunscreen speech hoax. One thing that isn’t a hoax: sun damage ages your skin, and can leave it vulnerable to skin cancers. Sunscreen offers effective skin protection – if it’s the right sunscreen, used properly. What most people think is adequate sun protection usually isn’t. Here are tips to avoid the aging effects of sun damage.
Fraxeltm – or Just a “fractionating Laser”? Why It’s Important to you
By: James Fairfield | 15/01/2008 | Skin Care
You see ads and offers for whiz-bang fractionating lasers and wonder—do they mean Fraxel? Not necessarily! The Fraxel laser is an amazing new technology for reversing the effects of age and sun damage on the skin. Here are tips for being sure your skin rejuvenation treatment uses the genuine Fraxel laser.
|
|
Health 
