Dry skin arrives with the coolness of fall
Dry skin is a common issue for many as the weather cools down for autumn and winter. Some people dread the beautiful leaves of fall, knowing that dry skin is on the way leading to skin that will itch, flake or crack, and sometimes even bleed. Sometimes our natural tendencies with cold weather, such as taking a long, hot shower can hurt our skin rather then helping. Or trying to avoid dry skin by not washing our hands may lead to catching the common cold or the flu. As the hot summer months turn into the cool dry months of fall and winter, it is important to remember these tips to relieve your dry skin.
Tips for relieving dry skin
- Apply moisturizer immediately after getting out of the shower or bathtub. Try a cream, rather than a lotion. Also, apply the cream when your skin is still damp as this traps that moisture back into your skin. We suggest trying Cerave, Eucerin, or Aveeno dry skin creams.
- Keep your bath or shower short and use warm water, not hot water. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel. When you take a shower- close the door- it will keep the humidity in the room with you. Limit your shower to a maximum of 10 minutes.
- Learn the ingredients in your skin care products. Products that contain fragrance, deodorant (like deodorant soaps) or are alcohol-based can dry out skin. Use a gentle soap such as dove. Avoid using loofa’s in the shower as well.
- Wear soft fabrics such as cotton, that breath. If you want to wear a wool sweater, put a soft tee-shirt underneath.
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
- Apply a hand cream after washing your hands each time. At night, if you are still having issues, you can wear gloves with a thicker cream or petroleum jelly applied to your hands. Moisturizers work by trapping the existing moisture in your skin. Some of our favorite hand creams are Eucerin Intensive Hand Cream and Neutrogena hand cream.
- Wear gloves when outside to protect your hands.
If these tips do not produce the results you need, then it’s time to see your local dermatologist to see if there are any other issues. Dry skin could be a sign of other medical issues, such as eczema.
Eczema and dry skin
Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed, says the National Eczema Foundation. There are many types of eczema:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Hand eczema
- Lichen simplex chronicus
- Nummular eczema
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Stasis Dermatitis
You can also get dry skin and eczema as an allergic reaction- such as wearing latex gloves.
Treatment of Eczema
Eczema is not contagious and is treatable. Depending on the severity- treatments include prescription topical medications, over-the-counter medications, immunosuppressants, and biologic drugs. There are also several natural and alternative treatments. Consult your Charlotte dermatologist for more information about what treatment is right for you.
Charlotte dermatologist– Dr. Sasha Haberle, Metrolina Dermatology
If you have dry skin and are not getting relief using the tips above, then it’s time to consult your local Charlotte dermatologist and get some answers on how to stop the symptoms. Contact Metrolina Dermatology to schedule an appointment.
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