It’s that time of year when existing skin conditions often get worse and many people develop “itchy dry skin.” Winter weather conditions and the dry air inside our heated homes can put even the most balanced skin out of whack. So, what can you do to prepare your skin for the long, dry, itchy season?

Prevention

The skin is made up of several layers of cells and thousands of oil glands keeping the skin from losing moisture and making it supple and soft. However, your skin is constantly losing moisture into the air. Every time you wash your skin, you strip away much of the oil, letting more moisture evaporate and dry the skin.

However, in humid conditions, the skin can replenish itself by soaking up moisture from the air. Therefore, when the humidity drops your skin loses another opportunity to moisturize itself. Couple that with the low humidity of indoor heating, and hotter showers and baths, and your skin can become dry and irritated.

“Your skin is stripped of moisture during the cold winter months, which is why it’s so important to seal moisture into the skin to prevent dryness and cracking,” said Lewiston dermatologist Dr. Marcia Matuska. “This is the perfect time of year to adjust your skin care and moisturizing routine.”

When the temperature outside drops and the temperature inside rises, your skin is under assault. Low humidity, coupled with heavier clothing, and longer, hotter showers and baths can leave your skin feeling dry and itchy, she said. Most people start slathering on lotion and hope for the best; however, to prevent and combat winter skin woes, there are more effective measures.

Special Skin Conditions

If cold weather and dry air trigger your eczema, get a climate meter (which tells you the temperature and humidity) for your home. If your home is dry, consider buying a humidifier. Alternatively, you can try boiling some water or placing a bowl of water over the radiator or heating elements to increase the moisture in the air. Cover up when you go outside to protect yourself from the cold air.

Eczema makes the skin very itchy. Scratching can cause an “itch-scratch” cycle – scratching damages the skin, which leads to more itching, which in turn leads to scratching. It can also increase the risk of skin infections. If you cannot stop scratching, try medications such as antihistamines or anti-inflammatory agents to help relieve the itching. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which medications would be best for you.

If you have oily skin, don’t assume you automatically need a moisturizer. Your face may feel tight after you wash it. Wait 20 minutes, and if your face still feels tight, use a moisturizer only where you feel dry.

Those with acne should reconsider their skincare regimens. Continue to use topical treatments, but modify them slightly. For example, if you use Retin-A, ask your dermatologist to switch you from the gel to the more moisturizing cream formulation.

Proper Winter Skin Care

f Daily gentle cleansings of the face using warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth.

f Avoid soaps that create suds or contain antibacterial products that can strip oil from the skin.

f Shave gently after first softening the hair with a warm washcloth, coating the skin with a cream or gel and keeping a sharp blade in the razor.

f Maintain adequate body hydration by drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily.

f Promptly treat cracked hands and feet with generous portions of a moisturizer and, specifically in the case of feet, wearing cotton socks to bed.

f Regularly applying balm to trap moisture and prevent the painful cracking of lips.

f Limit your showers to 10 to 15 minutes.

f Apply moisturizers to skin immediately after a bath or shower while your skin is still wet. Putting on a cream, ointment or lotion helps trap the water in the upper layers of the skin and decreases dryness and itching.

f Using an indoor humidifier to enhance air moisture and keep skin soft, supple and flexible.

f If skin conditions worsen or become bothersome, see your family Doctor or Dermatologist.

Weather damage

The cold, wind and sun in the winter can do as much damage, or more, than in the summer. Why? Because we’re not expecting skin problems. It’s cold, so we won’t burn, right? Wrong!

Skiers must be especially careful. The reflective power of the snow, the higher altitude and the thinner atmosphere combine to multiply the effects of the sun. For example, an unprotected average-light skinned person will start experiencing sunburn after only six minutes at noon on a clear day atop a mountain – compared to 14 minutes in sunny Orlando.

“In the winter, skin also can be damaged by the temperatures, the wind and the sun,” says Steve Boulanger, the On Hill Supervisor for the Sunday River Ski Patrol in Bethel. “If not taken care of properly, it can become itchy or scaly.”

Winter stressed skin is also common on the rest of the body. In fact, severely dry skin is less effective at providing a barrier against infection and can split and bleed, creating a greater chance for an infection.

Boulanger stressed the need to dress for the weather and the activity you’ll be participating in. “Dress in three layers of clothing,” he said. “The outer shell being water resistant, under that a poly or wool layer, and something next to your skin that will dry quickly and expel the body moisture upward tot he other levels. Keep in mind when out in the cold, ‘Cotton is rotten’ – it gets wet, stays wet, and doesn’t dry well, so you’re more likely to get cold.”

Boulanger also gave the following advice:

f Wear protective clothing.

f Avoid the strongest midday sun.

f Wear sunscreen, 30 SPF or higher. Put it on every portion of skin not covered by clothing, including bald spots, part lines, under the chin and on the ears. Better yet, wear a hat.

f Reapply sunscreen at least once during the day; more often if you are sweating.

f Apply lip balm with sunscreen several times during the day.

f Wear goggles or wrap-around sunglasses.

f Drink more water- much more – even more than you think you should.

f Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

What about frostbite?

Frostbite most commonly occurs to the extremities of the body – nose, cheeks, ears, fingers and toes. Exposing your skin to the cold can result either in crystals forming superficially or in the fluids and underlying soft tissues. Frostbite can range from mild discomfort to damage of the skin tissue, especially if the area has been thawed and refrozen.

The skin may appear slightly flushed before frostbite sets in, turning to white or grayish yellow. Initially the affected part may have a painful tingle, but this usually subsides. The area will feel intensely cold and numb. Often the victim is unaware of the problem until an observer notices the pale, glossy skin.

Protect frostbitten areas from further trauma and quickly re-warm by immersing in warm (102-105 degrees Fahrenheit) NOT HOT water. If the area has thawed and refrozen, warm at room temperature and do not use excessive heat such as a stove or hot water bottle. If water is unavailable , carefully wrap the affected area in warm clothing or blankets. Do not massage the injured area as you may damage frozen tissue. Swelling will occur after thawing. Discontinue warming as soon as the part becomes flushed. If feet are affected and the victim must walk to obtain assistance, do not attempt to thaw beforehand. For anything other than a minor affliction, seek medical attention.

Hypothermia sets in when the body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Someone suffering from hypothermia will become pale, lethargic and uncoordinated. He or she will shiver, feel tired and won’t be able to make decisions. To treat hypothermia, follow these steps:

f Keep the person warm by wrapping him or her in blankets and moving him or her to a warm place. Remember to be very gentle in handling the person.

f Put hot water bottles or other heat sources on the body, as well as heating pads if the person is dry, keeping a blanket, towel or clothing between the heat source and the skin to avoid burns.

f Give warm liquids to drink, if the person is awake.

f Do not warm the person too quickly by immersing him or her in warm water. Rapid re-warming can cause heart problems.

f Never rub the surface of the person’s body; this could cause further damage if the person is also suffering from frostbite.

f Avoid giving alcohol and caffeine to drink: It can hinder the body’s heat-producing mechanism.

f When in doubt, seek professional help.