The cold season is almost here, making us deal with dry and itchy skin. Winter is a difficult time for our skin and is worst for people with eczema or psoriasis and those suffering from frequent flare-ups.
Along with colds and coughs, winters are also infamous for frequently triggering psoriasis and eczema flare-ups. People suffering from these skin conditions always dread the season since it comes with annoying dry, itchy and irritated skin. But these frequent flare-ups in cold weather can be managed if you try to follow the following tips.
Dealing with Cold Weather Psoriasis and Eczema Flare-ups
1. Prevent Frequent Temperature Changes
A major change in the temperature is a proven formula to make your skin feel itchy and dry. Whether heading from your heated home into the outdoors with excessive cold or vice versa, our skin tries to adjust between extreme temperature changes. The constant changing cycles make your skin cracked and dry.
It is recommended to avoid frequent temperature changes to reduce psoriasis or eczema flare-ups. You can control the outbreaks by maintaining your body temperature and avoiding the outdoors as much as you can. If you cannot do that, wrap yourself up well before heading out of the doors.
2. Skip Extremely Hot Baths
While you may want to bathe in hot water during the winter, heat can make your skin dry. So, instead of using extremely hot water, use warm water and try to shower less frequently.
Moreover, to avoid letting your skin dry out completely, keep it moist with moisturising bath products. Search for skin products that are specifically meant for bathing. Do not bathe for more than five to ten minutes to avoid letting your skin dry out or feel irritated. Post-bathing, don’t rub your skin with a towel; instead, pat it gently. Rubbing vigorously may scratch your eczema or psoriasis and even leave your skin dry with no traces of moisture.
3. Keep Moisturising Your Skin Frequently
People with skin conditions are told to moisturise their skin all-round the year. It is more than essential to moisturise your skin, especially during the winter because the dry air in the atmosphere can completely damage your skin, leaving it patchy and irritated. Moreover, the heater in your car, home and office can also make your skin feel dry and dull. So, it is essential to frequently moisture your skin with a thick moisturiser like petroleum jelly.
4. Use Gentle Skincare Products
Psoriasis and eczema leave your skin sensitive and irritated. That’s why it is crucial to take care of your skin, as it can turn dry more often. Select body and skincare products like lotions, soaps and other bath products that are gentle and void of unwanted harsh ingredients. Look for body products that do not contain fragrance, alcohol, parabens and dyes. Avoid fancy bubble baths and harsh soaps like detergents.
5. Get Plenty of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is naturally created in your skin when exposed to sunlight. However, the sun does not come out more often during the winter. So, it gets more difficult for your skin to repair itself. However, taking vitamin D supplements is known to improve the symptoms of eczema significantly.
Also, keep in mind to apply sunscreen while sunbathing even during the winter season. Even though the sun is less hot in winter, you can still get sunburnt, making your skin dry and worsening the skin condition.
6. Drink Excess Water
Your internal organs play a major role in keeping your skin healthy. The more hydrated your body is, the healthy and more moisturised your skin will be. Drinking at least eight glasses of water daily is necessary. These eight glasses can be of tea, coffee or your favourite beverages.
If plain water is too bland for your taste buds, you can add slices of lemon or other citrus fruits to make it tasty.
7. Improve Your Treatment Plan
It is normal for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis to worsen during the winter since the air is dry, damaging the skin and making it patchy. However, if it gets worse every year, talk to your doctor and get your treatment plan assessed. You may need to adjust your treatment or do some light therapy.
Keep in Mind
Winters are tough to tackle, especially for people suffering from psoriasis, eczema or other skin conditions. Creating a daily routine with the above tips can help you tackle severe itch, pain and dryness. Additionally, remember to stay warm, keep your skin and the air around you moist, and avoid harsh products that irritate your eczema or psoriasis.
Author Bio:
Krishma Patel is the Co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist at MedsNow, an online pharmacy in the UK that provides health and wellness products and treatments along with free online consultations. She is passionate about showcasing the integral function community pharmacies can play in supporting the healthcare system and the NHS by providing patients with high-quality, safe, and discreet access to healthcare at their convenience. Besides being the co-founder of MedsNow, Krishma is also the Director and the Superintendent Pharmacist of Enimed Ltd., an independent pharmacy group comprising 32 branches.
