Trumm Drug

Dry Skin Treatment This Winter

It’s the time of the year where many people suffer from dry, itchy skin. Dry skin can be related to occupational or environmental factors. Fortunately, most dry skin results from environmental factors that can be wholly or partially controlled. Examples of environmental factors include exposure to hot or cold weather with low humidity, long-term use of air conditioning or central heating and excessive bathing.
Dry skin is often just a temporary problem, most commonly occurring in the winter and in older adults. The driest skin usually occurs on a person’s arms, hands and lower legs. Skin tightness, itching, scaling or peeling, redness or even fine lines and cracks that may bleed characterize dry skin. To reduce inflammation that may occur with extremely dry skin, the use of nonprescription hydrocortisone ointment may be helpful. Although hydrocortisone does not directly increase skin hydration, it helps prevent itching associated with dry skin and inhibits dehydration.
In most cases, dry skin responds well to self-care measures, such as using moisturizers, avoiding long, hot showers and baths, using mild soaps/detergents and a humidifier. Moisturizers provide a seal over the skin to keep water from escaping. Thicker moisturizers work best, such as Eucerin, Cetaphil or Vanicream. If skin is extremely dry, baby oil may be applied to the skin while the skin is still moist. Baby oil has more staying power than moisturizers and prevents the evaporation of water from the skin. In addition, hot water and long showers or baths remove essential oils from the skin. Limiting bath or shower time to about 15 minutes or less, and using warm, rather than hot, water is best to keep skin moist. Choosing mild soaps that have added oils and fats, such as Dove or Basis, will also help keep skin soft and moist, while deodorant or antibacterial soaps are especially harsh on the skin and can strip skin of essential moisture. Finally, the use of a humidifier in one’s home can add moisture to the air, decreasing the chance of dry, itchy skin.
It is important to note that if skin dryness and symptoms worsen after seven days of compliant treatment, consultation of a primary care provider may be necessary; however, most of the time, by applying a moisturizer three or more times a day and following the tips above, dry, winter skin can be restored to normal hydration.