Tips for preventing winter skin
During winter, the combination of colder outdoor temperatures and warmer indoor temperatures can create some challenges for skin, according to Dr. Amy Stevens, a primary care physician at The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC), and when the humidity drops, following one’s routine skin care routine may not be effective.
“Dry skin can cause itching, flaking, cracking and even bleeding,” said Stevens. “While some conditions may improve with a prescription ointment or cream, there are some things you can do every day to help relieve itchy skin or prevent what we normally consider winter skin.”
Stevens, who also serves as the Family Medicine Residency Program Director for The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, recommends that during the winter months, you should take shorter, warm showers and baths and use a mild, fragrance free cleanser and a gentle exfoliator to rub off dead skin cells. Then, after your shower or bath, blot your skin gently dry with a towel.
Stevens explains if you feel a cream or ointment is needed there are certain products that may be better than others. What is most important is to read through the ingredients listed on skin care products. Additionally, ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating than lotions.
“Look for a product that contains olive oil, jojoba oil or shea butter,” said Stevens. “Other ingredients that help soothe dry skin include lactic acids, urea, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum.”
According to Stevens, if at all possible, stay warm without sitting beside a fireplace or other heat sources as they can dry out your skin. However, if you do have to be outside, there are some precautions you can take to save yourself from dry skin.
“When outdoors, wear lip balm to help protect your lips from chapping,” said Stevens. “Also, wear gloves and soft fabrics that breathe, such as 100 percent cotton or silk, and wear a soft fabric underneath wool or other rough fabrics to create a barrier to prevent irritation.”
Stevens encourages individuals to make an appointment to see a specialist, such as a dermatologist, if dry skin persists and may be at a point in which a prescription ointment or cream is required.
“Dry skin also can be a sign of other underlying skin conditions, such as eczema, and a general practitioner or a dermatologist can help in addressing those concerns,” said Stevens.
If you have questions about skincare or other health topics, contact UTMC’s Health Information Center at 865-305-9525 or online at www.utmedicalcenter.org/hic. Staffed by medical librarians and certified health information specialists, the Center offers an extensive health library, digital and print resources, walk-in assistance, and help with research on specific health conditions – all free of charge to the public.