Our skin is one of our hardest working organs. It not only protects all the other organs in our bodies, and can repair itself, but it also regulates body temperature and detects and fights off infection. Healthy skin is an essential part of your overall health and wellness, yet most of us take our skin for granted, especially in the winter.

Winters Effects on Skin

Frequent hand washing and sanitizer use may already be taking a toll on your hands as the pandemic continues, but as temperatures and humidity levels continue to drop, other body parts can also get itchy, cracked, and irritated.

The harsh weather can strip the skins natural protective barrier, creating gaps in the outer most layer, allowing water to escape promoting dehydration and irritants to get in. The dry environment may be responsible for that uncontrollable itch, as the inflammatory response kicks in and releases histamines. It can exacerbate inflammatory skin diseases such as rosacea, eczema, ichthyosis, and psoriasis, which suffer an impaired barrier function.

Tips to Avoid a Painful Season

If you are not prepared, the changes to your skin can make for a long winter. Knowing how your skin typically reacts to cold weather can help you create a routine ahead of time and keep your skin from reacting negatively to fall and winter.

Know Your Skin: As winter approaches, try to remember how your skin changed during past winters. Maybe your skin stayed the same as it did in the summer. This could be because of the routine you have in place. If your skin changed and became dryer than usual, this may mean you need to better prepare your skin for winter.

If you know your skin is prone to drying out from cold weather, a way to prepare your skin before and during the winter is to stick to short and warm showers. Long, hot showers can feel great after a cold day, but can strip your skin of important oils, leaving it dry.

Its All About Moisture: Find a good moisturizer and use it before the cold weather hits and throughout the cold weather season. A moisturizer does exactly what its name implies: moisturizes. Moisturizing your skin in preparation for the cold weather and during the winter can help your skin from becoming dried out. An oil-free moisturizer that contains glycerin is best to help keep skin hydrated.

Some Conditions Require Special Treatment: If you have eczema or psoriasis, you will have to do more than simply slather on extra lotion and drink more water.

Preparation Can Go a Long Way

Dry skin can make for an uncomfortable winter which is why preparation is key as we continue through the cold winter months. If youre having trouble managing your skin care, talk to a dermatologist. Your dermatologist can help you develop a routine and care plan to meet your skins unique needs. If youre experiencing severely dry or chapped skin, or if youve recently developed a rash thats not improving, talk to your doctor as these could be signs of a dermatologic condition or symptoms of more serious illness or allergic reaction.

Dr. Sabrina Mikita is a dermatologist with UPMC seeing patients at SH Dermatology located at 1205 Grampian Blvd., Suite 1A, Williamsport. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (570) 326-8060

Excerpt from:

UPMC doctor: tips to prevent cold weather skin issues - NorthcentralPa.com