With its cold temperatures, harsh wind, and drying indoor heating, winter can be quite unforgiving to your skin — especially if you’re one of the nearly 32 million people in the United States who copes with eczema, an inflammatory skin condition that tends to worsen as the days get shorter and the temperatures dip.
At One Health Medical Care in Reston, Virginia, our team is eager to help ease your eczema symptoms by creating a well-informed treatment plan, but we’re also invested in educating you about how to avoid those dreaded times when uncomfortable and unsightly wintry symptoms flare.
Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to tame your eczema during the cold winter months, and Mingliarti Tjahjana, MD, and Kendra Blythe, NP, are here to offer some expert guidance.
As we noted, eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, and it typically starts in childhood, though it can emerge for the first time in adulthood, as well. There are seven types of eczema, the most common of which is atopic dermatitis. This condition’s symptoms include:
When you suffer from these symptoms, it’s hard not to scratch and irritate your skin. This, in turn, causes tenderness and rawness. Unfortunately, the broken skin that often accompanies eczema makes you more vulnerable to infection.
You tend to experience more eczema flare-ups in winter because of inhospitable conditions, both indoors and outdoors. The freezing temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity outside conspire to hit your skin where it hurts, so to speak, while the dry heat of indoor environments and hot showers amount to a cruel one-two punch for your skin.
All of these factors, and more that we’ll discuss, set the stage for desert-dry skin — the primary contributor to eczema flare-ups.
We’re here to treat your eczema all year round, but there are quite a few steps you can take to minimize your chances of aggravating your eczema-prone skin in the winter. Even better, these strategies are easy to implement.
Protect your delicate skin barrier by religiously using oil-based moisturizers. This keeps your skin moist and supple, lowering your chances of a flare.
Nix the potions and lotions with harsh ingredients and opt for gentle ones that are unscented and made with natural ingredients. Do the same with your laundry detergents.
Protecting your skin with warm clothing when you go outside helps prevent it from getting too cold too quickly, since sudden, extreme temperature changes aren’t good for eczema.
Also, choose gentle, soft fabrics like silk and cotton over clothes made from materials that can irritate your skin and make it itchy, such as wool and synthetic fibers.
Avoid long, hot baths and steamy showers. Don’t bathe for as long a time and use moderation when it comes to temperature.
Plug in that humidifier during the winter — if the air’s not dry, your skin won’t be.
Winter illnesses like the common cold and influenza flu can worsen eczema, so try to do everything you can to stay well: Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, practice good hand washing hygiene, get plenty of rest, and avoid close contact with people you know are ill.
With the windows closed and less air circulating in winter, your skin is exposed to eczema-causing irritants like dust and pet hair. Make sure you dust regularly, launder your clothing and bedding often, and vacuum frequently.
We know we advised you to bundle up, but if you go running for example, or for a hike, choose layers instead of clothing that’s difficult to get on or off. By removing layers, your sweat can evaporate rather than sit on your skin and increase your risk of having a flare.
But it’s winter, you say? We know you’re not on the tennis court or gardening for hours in the sun, but ultraviolet (UV) rays still hit your skin every time you go outside, putting you at risk for eczema problems. Apply a gentle, broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, no matter what.
You can rely on your One Health Medical Care team for a range of treatments if you do suffer a winter eczema flare-up — we’re here to help. Call 571-572-9198 to schedule a visit today, or click online to book an appointment at your convenience.
