Health Matters: Beating Dry Winter Skin

Dry skin can happen to anybody, but it’s more likely to hit you when the colder temperatures sink in.

However, you can beat dry skin in the winter.

When you live somewhere that gets cold, there’s less humidity in the air and that can cause dry skin.

That doesn’t mean you have to live with that uncomfortable itchy feeling.

Some people have it all year long, but others only have it in the winter.

“It’s sometimes called the winter itch,” said Dr. Michael Blankinship, who is a Dermatologist with Essentia Health. “Everyone has their own risk for it and if the environment is correct, they will experience what they feel as dry skin.”

The good news is…the right skin care can help.

“Most people will be able to handle dry skin by themselves with gentle cleansers and moisturizers,” explained Dr. Blankinship. “After they shower or bathe is the most effective time to moisturize.”

If ignored, severe dry skin can lead to bleeding.

An easy way to think of it is to compare to your skin to Play–Doh.

“When it’s new out of the can, it’s nice and pliable. You can move it around a much as you’d like, but if you leave it out for a couple of hours, it starts to get stiff and dry and then if you try to bend it, it cracks,” he said.

Dr. Blankinship recommends keeping lotions with you at work or in the car.

But if moisturizing frequently doesn’t work, you may want to call your physician.

“So basically, if you’re having dry skin and it’s causing itch or cracks and it’s bothersome to you and after trying to treat with over the counter moisturizers for two weeks or so is not really cutting the mustard, then sure, come in, make an appointment and be seen,” said Dr. Blankinship. “There are lots of things we can do to both help with the skin as well as help with the symptoms.”

It’s important to pay attention to the lotion you use because although some may smell good or look appealing, they might not be the best moisturizer for your skin.