Fighting Back Against Dry Skin

{[['']]}

Fighting Back Against Dry Skin

Winter Skin Tips for Everyone:

  Even if you don’t have a skin condition, you should take these steps to     keep your skin from getting too dry in wintry weather.
 • Add humidity to your home. Portable humidifiers or those that work with your heating system put moisture     in the air that will be absorbed by your skin and hair.
 • Use an oil-based moisturizer. Ointments or heavy creams seal water in the skin and preserve moisture           better when the humidity is low.
 • Slather on sunscreen. Before heading outdoors, apply a moisturizing, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at         least SPF 30 to any exposed areas. Sunscreen protects from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
• Clean up the right way. Frequent bathing or hot showers or baths can strip your skin of natural oils. Avoid deodorant bars, antibacterial soaps, perfumed soaps, and skin care products containing alcohol. Instead, use warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap or moisturizing body wash. Limit your showers or baths to no more than 10 minutes, pat dry, and moisturize while your skin is still damp. Eczema Low temperatures and low humidity levels raise your risk of eczema flares. “Think of severe dishpan hands with dryness, itching, blistering, and cracking,” says Robert Brodell, MD, chief of dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Moisturize your hands and then slip on gloves before heading outdoors, but remove them quickly if you get overheated. Sweat trapped inside gloves can make you itch. Psoriasis Psoriasis causes itchy, dry, and sometimes painful scales to appear on your skin. The plaques build up on your elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. When you have psoriasis, your skin cells reproduce so quickly that old ones don’t have time to slough off. “Soaking in warm water with an over-the-counter, oilated oatmeal bath product can alleviate itching,” says Brodell. When you’re finished, gently pat dry your skin -- don’t rub! -- and apply a moisturizer. Dandruff Dandruff flakes appear when skin cells on the scalp rapidly reproduce and peel off. “The flakes are often accompanied by itching caused from scalp inflammation,” says Charles Crutchfield III, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Fairview. Flare-ups happen more often in the dry winter months, and not just on your scalp -- you also may see them on your nose, eyebrows, ears, armpits, and groin. Try switching between over-the-counter dandruff shampoos containing different ingredients. Severe cases may need a prescription shampoo and a corticosteroid or antifungal medication. Dandruff can be a lifelong condition. “If you find yourself wearing special clothing or avoiding situations because of dandruff, it’s time to see a dermatologist,” Crutchfield says.

 Care Strategies for Dry Skin When You Wash Try these tips for the bath or shower:
• Skip long, hot showers. Hot water strips oils from the skin faster than warm water. Long showers or baths    actually dry out your skin. Limit yourself to a single 5- or 10-minute warm shower or bath a day.
• Use a gentle cleanser or shower gel with moisturizer. Instead of harsh cleansers, go for unscented, soap-        free, or mild soap cleansers.
 • Moisturize while skin is still moist. Pat your skin with a towel after you shower or wash your face or hands,     leaving it damp. Apply a moisturizer within three to five minutes of washing to lock moisture in. What to         Look for in a Moisturizer You don't have to pay a fortune for a good, rich moisturizer.

 Read the label. Ingredients that may be helpful for dry skin include:
 • Ceramides. Ceramides help the skin hold water and soothe dry skin. Synthetic ceramides may mimic the       natural substances in the outermost layer of skin that help keep moisture in.
• Dimethicone and glycerin. These draw water to the skin and keep it there.
• Hyaluronic acid. Like ceramides, hyaluronic acid helps skin hold water.
 • Lanolin, mineral oil, and petroleum jelly (petrolatum). These help skin hold on to water absorbed during         bathing. Be sure to apply sunscreen to areas of your body that are exposed to the sun during the day.           Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more that says "broad spectrum" on the label. 5 Lifestyle Tips    

 Relieving Dry Skin These strategies can also help make your skin supple and smooth:
 • Plug in a humidifier at home to help keep skin hydrated during winter months when indoor air is dry.
 • Wear cotton and other natural fibers. Wool, synthetics, or other fabrics can be scratchy and irritating.
 • Drink plenty of water.
 • Eat omega-3 foods. Essential fatty acids can help fortify the skin’s natural oil-retaining barriers. Foods rich     in omega-3 include cold-water fish (salmon, halibut, sardines), flax, walnuts, and safflower oil.
 • For redness or inflammation, apply a cool compress or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on the       area for a week. If these don’t provide relief, talk to your doctor.