With the advent of cold weather red and itchy skin comes as an uninvited guest. Atmospheric humidity levels tend to drop, especially when heating of indoor spaces is most necessary. This low indoor humidity is often the 'straw that breaks the camel's back' of the skin barrier integrity, resulting in itchy, rash-prone skin. Long hot showers further aggravate the problem. Hot water strips your skin of essential oils, drying out the outer layer of the skin and with it, decreasing the moisture in the lower layers of the skin. Soap and other chemicals can also add to the dryness.
When skin oil levels decline too far, the epidermal skin barrier becomes easily compromised. Irritants are then able to illicit immune reactions within the dermis resulting in itch, rash and the incessant bother of dry skin eczema or psoriasis or even dandruff for that matter.
Here are some simple tips to cure that itchy itch!
- We know you love your hot water bath but you really need to cut showers down to a maximum of 10 minutes and don’t take more than one shower every 24 hours. Lower the temperature of your shower or bath. You must remember, while a hot water is more relaxing, it also dries out your skin.
- Use moisturizing shower products and use fragrance and dye free mild soaps. Soap can steal the moisture off your skin. When done your shower, pat dry and liberally apply moisturizer. Or simply apply olive oil, the best and the easiest way to keep the skin supple and glowing.
- Use a humidifier to offset dry winter heat inside your home. This is especially useful if you have an infant at home. A dry skin can be really harmful for babies as they could develop rashes and scaly skin very easily.
- Wear soft, comfortable clothing. Fabric softener should be avoided as they contain sensitizing oils. Soft, non-abrasive fabrics like cotton are the best; wool clothing on bare skin can be problematic.
- Don’t avoid seeing a doctor. Any active rash areas will clear up faster and better with medical treatment. Experts advice to visit the dermatologist if you have fever or a sore throat with the rash. Although in some cases, a skin or an itch is a reaction to some strong medication. This too then should be brought to your doctor’s notice.
- Golden Rule! Stop scratching! Scratching must be avoided, no matter how much it itches. This can damage the skin and worsen irritation. Nails are best kept short until itching resolves!
