Tips For Dry Winter Skin

During winter, when humidity is lowest, dry skin conditions are often at their irritating worst. Cold, dry conditions can make even normal skin itchy and flaky; for people with conditions such as eczema or psoriasis they can create even more problems. Since dry, irritated skin is more likely to get infected, it is important to take symptoms seriously and take action to reduce their severity.
Whether you are dealing with a simple dry skin problem, or something more complicated, your doctor or pharmacist may suggest one of the following remedies:
• Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer three to four times a day to maintain a fine film over the skin. Apply the moisturizer after you bathe or wash to help hold in the moisture from the water.
• Barrier creams, such as diaper rash ointments or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline), can help protect damaged skin and are especially useful for people who frequently have their hands in water. For very dry hands, put petroleum jelly on them and sleep with your hands in cotton-lined gloves.
• Think about changing your bathing habits. Frequent baths or showers may dry out your skin. Take short, lukewarm baths or showers then pat your skin dry and put a moisturizer on right away.
• In the bath, anti-itch preparations, including oatmeal and tar-based pine oil products, can help relieve itchy, dry skin. Don't use bath oils while you are in the bath, since it will make the tub slippery and you may fall. Put the oil on your skin after you get out of the tub.
• Itching that is not relieved by a moisturizer may be improved by using 1 percent hydrocortisone skin cream for a week. If this is still not helpful, your physician may need to prescribe stronger steroids or antihistamine pills. Don't use this type of a cream for more than one or two weeks, and avoid the face or genital area.
Skin that is red, warm, swollen or oozing may be infected and should prompt you to seek medical attention. Antibiotics are usually needed to treat infected skin.
Flaking, scaling and itching sometimes indicate specific medical conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis or other skin diseases. Your primary care physician, pediatrician or a dermatologist can help sort out dry skin from these more specific diagnoses.