Beat the Itch of Winter Skin

From simple dry, cracked skin to eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis, the cold, wind, and low humidity of winter can worsen just about every kind of skin condition.

"A vicious cycle develops," says Ella L. Toombs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of Aesthetic Dermatology of Dupont Circle, in Washington, D.C.

The dry air of winter pulls moisture from the skin, which then tends to peel, crack, and shed excessively, Toombs says. This increased loss of skin cells results in increased oil and water loss. This leads to more dry skin. Also, the forced hot air of indoor heating systems contributes substantially.

"Remember going on vacation to a warm tropical climate and how smooth the skin felt without any moisturizer?" she says. "That's because the humidity in the atmosphere kept the naturally produced oils on the skin and the superficial cells soft and adherent so that oils were not lost."

For people who have an existing "skin condition, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or dandruff, winter weather can make a bad problem worse," says Bruce Katz, MD, a private practice dermatologist and director of the JUVA Skin and Laser Center in New York City. "But many of the winter protection strategies we suggest to patients who have skin conditions also apply to everyone else."

Treating Skin Conditions

Eczema is an overall skin sensitivity that appears as a rash, says Katz. People with eczema should not wear wool or heavy synthetic fabrics directly on their skin. These can cause irritation from too much friction.

"Cover up and avoid wind and cold," says Katz, "But wear a cotton layer against your skin to protect against friction."

In psoriasis, skin cells overproduce themselves at five times the normal rate, forming scaly patching or plaque, says Thomas Russell, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. It's harder for skin to retain moisture because there's less humidity in the air during winter, so tiny cracks can develop on the skin. To help keep skin moist, use a moisturizer, and watch how many times you bathe.

"We take too many showers at too hot a temperature in the winter months," says Russell. "Most people, especially the elderly, in winter should bathe once a week. You can wash where you need to for personal hygiene at a sink. And take a bath rather than a shower because a bath allows the skin to hold on to more water."

Toombs agrees. "Use soap only in areas where you perspire," she says. "When you shower, use warm, not hot, water, and do not use a washcloth because it may be too abrasive."

Russell also points out that people who have psoriasis need to be especially cautious about contracting strep throat, which usually strikes in winter months.