Now that the temperatures are dropping, we are seeing an increase in dry skin problems. Patients dealing with dry skin often find the winter weather makes eczema and psoriasis worsen due to the dry air. The cold air will take away the thin layer of oil on the skin that traps in moisture and keeps the skin soft. So how can you combat dry skin in the winter to keep it from becoming itchy and flaky? Here are some tips we recommend trying.
Tip # 1 – Bathe briefly
Its easy to enjoy hot baths in the winter, but those long soaks can enhance problems with dry, irritated skin. Here are some things to try doing instead of long baths:
- Stick to a brief shower using lukewarm water as hot water tends to dry out the skin faster
- Use soaps designed for dry skin
- Pat yourself gently after a shower to avoid excessive drying of the skin
- Apply lotion following a shower while the skin is still moist
Tip # 2 – Use Moisturizer
Utah is known for having a dry climate during the winter due to the snow and harsh cold. To keep the skin healthy, you want to moisturize as much as possible. Whether you have eczema or psoriasis, you want to make sure you have lotion to keep the dry air from stealing it away from your skin.