Protect vulnerable skin during the worst of winter
Winter weather can be tricky for skin – but for people prone to eczema, the cold conditions can be especially troublesome. This irritating skin condition causes dry, rough and inflamed patches, which can crop up all over your body. And with cooler temperatures outdoors, plus central heating – both of which can act as triggers – this is a prime time for eczema flare-ups.
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help combat the winterinduced itch. Here’s what the experts suggest.
Get a good night’s sleep
There are few things more irritating than a night-time itch, and many people with eczema find the urge to start scratching is heightened when they’re trying to get to sleep.
So what can you do? “Try keeping the bedroom window open at night and keep the central heating down to minimum when it’s required,” advises Lloydspharmacy pharmacist, Anshu Bhimbat.
Bedding is also key. “A light duvet will also be a better option than a thicker tog, which could cause you to sweat, leading to further irritation,” Anshu says.
Keep an eye on ‘trigger’ foods
During the winter, with so much comfort food on the table, it’s easy to let our usual diets go out of the window – but it’s important to look out for ‘trigger’ foods that tend to cause flare-ups.
“A food allergy or intolerance can cause eczema symptoms in some people,” says Anshu, who suggests keeping a food diary. “If you’ve noticed flare-ups with certain foods, it could be an indicator that it’s causing breakouts – but it’s best to see a dermatologist for advice before cutting anything specific out of your diet.”
Use a soap substitute
When you’re dealing with eczema, it’s really important to consider the bathing and cleansing products you’re using, as some of them could make symptoms worse. “Some people with dry skin or eczema may find their skin is easily irritated by harsh and strong ingredients in soaps,” says dermatologist Dr Anthony Bewley.
“Avoid foaming soap agents and instead try a substitute such as Cetraben Daily Cleansing Cream (£7.19 for 200ml, Boots), which can be less drying on the skin.”
Regularly apply emollient
Moisturising with a suitable emollient – creams and ointments that moisturise the skin – will prevent scaly patches from drying out further, and help reduce flaking. Dr Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream (£9.49 for 50ml, Holland & Barrett) nourishes and restores, and will help leave skin feeling moisturised.
Reduce dust exposure
It’s natural to want to hibernate a little and keep warm and cosy indoors at this time of year, but this might mean greater exposure to dust mites, a common trigger for people with allergies and skin conditions.
“House dust mites are present in everyone’s homes, but they can really irritate dry skin and eczema,” says Dr Bewley. “If you can, vacuum and dust your home two to three times per week. Wherever possible, wash clothes on a hot temperature (above 60 degrees) to kill the dust mites.”
Manage weather changes
You can’t control the cold and ice, but preparing wisely can help minimise the effects on your skin. “Eczema reacts badly to rapid changes in temperature,” says Anshu. She recommends keeping heating low and wearing light cotton sleepwear/ loungewear. If you’re heading out into the cold, wear a hat, coat and gloves, to keep affected areas out of the wind.
Keep stress in check
This is easier said than done, but managing your stress levels can really help to keep eczema-prone skin under control during the winter months. Meditation and mindfulness apps are a great place to start. Calm (Calm.com) has a huge range of guided mindfulness programmes designed to help soothe the mind when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Simply plug in, and switch off.