Dry Skin in the Winter
Baby, it’s cold outside! With cold weather come side effects that nearly everyone deals with. One of the most common is dry, flaky, itchy skin. You might think layers of clothes would help our skin be better protected from the outdoor elements, but it turns out that isn’t true.
Our skin is full of moisture. That’s why drinking lots of water, as you will learn later, can help with dry skin. Once our beautifully hydrated skin is exposed to heat indoors (furnaces, heaters, a fireplace, warm fans, etc.), the moisture is stripped, leaving us with warmth, but with dry and chapped skin. Dry skin can often be painful, itchy and outright uncomfortable but given a little TLC, we can make our skin nice and smooth and once again hydrated.
Here are a few ways you help take control of your dry skin this winter.
1) Start with a clean slate. That is, exfoliate (scrub off) the dead skin cells from your hands, feet, body, etc. Right below your upper layer of skin (that’s mostly dead skin cells anyway) lies a new layer of skin ready for treatment.
TIP: Use a loofah (available for purchase at any drug store or grocery store) or a very gentle scrub to exfoliate. Use very light pressure when doing so.
2) Trap the moisture in. Right after you shower or take a bath, don’t towel off! While your skin is still damp, lather on a moisturizer. Then pat any excess water.
TIP: Pick a moisturizer that you know works well with your skin. Many times lotions without fragrance and that have oatmeal (such as Aveeno) work well on dry skin. Additionally, many lotions have added water and while that isn’t a bad thing, if you have really, really dry skin, look for a moisturizing cream. Creams are thicker.
3) Not too hot, not too cold, just right. Like the 3 little bears. Make sure that your bath or shower water isn’t too hot or too cold. Either extreme can lead to excess dryness.
4) Eat and drink for success. As mentioned above, make sure you are drinking lots of water to help keep you hydrated. Additionally, enjoying a diet with lots of nuts and good oils as well as omega 3’s can help fend off dry skin.
TIP: How do you know if you are well hydrated? If you are thirsty, you aren’t hydrated. Thirst is a sign of dehydration. Also, your urine should be a “light lemonade” color and not clear.
Still itch? You should consider seeing one of our doctors. If you are still experiencing itchy skin and none of the above tips help clear it up, you should check in with your doctor. He or she might have another route of success for you to take.
At Carlos and Parnell, M.D., P.A. our professional and caring staff makes the difference with patient care. – See more at: http://www.dev.carlosparnellmd.com/thermometers-and-babies/#sthash.MFvVROkI.dpuf
