Severe dry skin with symptoms with intense inflammation, cracking, itching or burning could signal an allergy. Contact your doctor or dermatologist if you have questions about your skin.
Everyone knows the signs that winter is coming. There is a chill in the air, the leaves are turning, the warm coats, sweaters, and hats come out of storage. Winter can cause havoc on your skin. There are several ways to protect your skin and your health during the winter months.
These are preventative methods to treat dry skin, you can try, before seeking the professional help of a dermatologist.
Here are 10 tips that many dermatologists and doctors will recommend to help prevent, treat and heal dry skin outbreaks.
1. Keep Hydrated
It is just as important to drink water in the winter as it is in the summer. Water intake is essential for your health and is beneficial for digestion, immunity, improving your mood and of course, skin moisture and elasticity.
2. Balanced Nutrition
Internal health is reflected on your skin. Eating a diet rich in Omega 3-fatty acids including eggs, fish, flax, nuts and oils will reinforce your skin’s natural ability to retain oil and water. Foods that are high in saturated fats, sugars, salts, and chemical preservatives can dehydrate your body and should always be eaten in moderation.
3. Moisturize
Using a good quality moisturizer after bathing, showering, or washing hands will help naturally lock water into your skin will keep your skin soft. Ask your doctor or dermatologist about what type of moisturizer will be work best for your specific skin type.
4. Sunscreen
Dermatologists recommend sunscreen as the most important way to protect your skin from sun damage and signs of aging. Whether you are spending the winter in sunny Long Beach, CA or in wintery Fargo, ND; you can be exposed to damaging UV rays even on cloudy or snowy days. Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on exposed skin all year. Most lip balm or chapstick now comes with SPF to prevent chapped lips.
5. Avoid Hot Water
While taking a long hot bath or shower may be tempting to warm up on a cold day, very hot water can irritate and dry the skin.
6. Limit harsh soap or cleansers
When bathing, showering or washing your hands, some soaps or cleansers may actually be drying out your skin. Check with your dermatologist to see what kind of soaps and cleansers are better for your skin.
7. Protect your hands with gloves
Cleaning products, bleach, detergents, dish soap, and even hot dish water can be tough on hands, especially if the cold weather has already dried them out. Use rubber gloves while cleaning to help protect your dry hands.
8. Use a Humidifier
Extra humidity is always beneficial in your home, especially in a bedroom or common area. Humidifiers help your body and skin stay hydrated and can also help with respiration and inflammation.
9. Avoid irritable fabrics
Sometimes synthetic, wool or polyester fabrics can irritate the skin and exacerbate dry skin. Wearing soft, breathable clothing such as cotton knits will help alleviate dry skin. Also be aware that certain laundry detergents with dyes, perfumes and harsh chemicals may contribute to skin irritation.
10. Bundle up
Extreme cold, wind, rain and snow can also be hard on your skin. Wear layers and bundle up with gloves, hat, scarf, coat and cover exposed skin to help keep your skin healthy and dry.
Remember that severe dry skin with symptoms of intense inflammation, cracking, itching or burning could signal an allergy. Always contact your doctor or dermatologist if you have questions about your skin.
vintage clothing, designer handbags, fashions, Delaware
Comments