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Winter Skin Care

Cold winter weather can cause a person’s skin to become dry, but taking some precautions can make a difference.

Many people suffer from very dry skin during the winter as a result of cold, dry weather outside and a lack of humidity inside.  The skin doesn’t have enough of a natural coating of oil to seal in the moisture and protect against the dryness says Dr. Stephen Stone, professor of dermatology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.  He explains the areas that are most affected.

SOUND BITE: “. . . the more exposed areas of the skin are susceptible – the face, the hands, the back of the hands, but it’s also true that even people who wear trousers all day, men wearing trousers and socks notice increased drying of their legs as well and this may be due to exposure to dryer air at home.”

Dr. Stone says another cause of dry skin in winter is taking long hot showers or baths.  Although the heat of the water feels good at the moment, it actually damages the skin by taking away the body’s own oil.  This is especially damaging to older people because their oil glands produce less than when they were younger.  He explains the best way to moisturize the skin.

SOUND BITE:  “. . . it is important to use a heavy-duty moisture on the hands especially if you’re not wearing gloves outside (2:22) . . . (2:48).   I often recommend to patients to use the moisturizing liquid soaps in the shower, particularly the older patients should probably not shower as often as they do in the summer months.  Two or three times a week is probably enough for somebody who is not working out of doors and raising a sweat . . . (3:09)

Dr. Stone recommends seeing a family physician or dermatologist if there is redness or if a person is scratching to the point of the skin bleeding.  If the skin is red or inflamed, a person could be suffering from eczema or psoriasis, which may need to be treated with prescription medication.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.