Seasonal dryness, often felt during winter, can leave your skin itchy or scaly. For some, it’s a temporary issue; for others, it’s lifelong. Factors like age, health, and time outdoors contribute. While saving money post-holiday, check out these tips to soothe your dry skin before heading to Walmart for a humidifier or skincare products.
Visit AFC Oak Ridge for treatment!
Why Does My Skin Get Dry During Winter?
Dry skin, or xerosis, often worsens in winter when cold air pulls moisture from your skin. It can also result from aging, overbathing, or using harsh soaps.
What Else Causes Dry Skin?
Handwashing, while necessary for staying healthy, can be just as harsh on your skin as winter’s cold air. Washing your hands repeatedly with soap and warm water strips away the natural oils your skin needs to stay hydrated. Hot showers or baths can also deplete your skin’s moisture barrier, especially during the winter when the air is already dry. To minimize irritation, stick to lukewarm water, use mild soaps, and apply a quality moisturizer regularly to maintain healthy skin.
Dry Skin Symptoms:
Dry skin is likely to cause symptoms, including:
- A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming
- Deep cracks that may bleed
- Fine lines or cracks
- Gray, ashy skin in people with dark skin
- Itching, also known as pruritus
- Redness
- Skin that feels and looks rough
- Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling
If you’re unsure about your symptoms, stop by AFC Oak Ridge for expert care.
Tips to Protect Your Skin:
- Stay adequately hydrated throughout the day.
- Incorporate more healthy fats into your diet.
- Don’t over-wash your skin.
- Get an adequate amount of exercise every week.
- Don’t smoke.
For more detailed dermatology care, visit the skilled team at our Oak Ridge clinic.
Tips to Keep Moisturized:
Take these steps to help your skin retain moisture and decrease dryness:
- Shorten showers to 5–10 minutes and avoid hot water to preserve natural skin oils.
- Wash with moisturizing, fragrance-free soap or cleanser designed for sensitive skin.
- Moisturize immediately after bathing to trap water on the skin’s surface.
- Apply sunscreen generously, even in winter, and use SPF 30 or higher.
- Use a humidifier to improve indoor air quality and prevent skin from drying out.
- Choose non-irritating fabrics like cotton and wash them with gentle detergents.
- Avoid scratching dry skin, as it can worsen irritation or lead to further dryness.
If you experience itching from dry skin, use a cool compress for relief. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream with 1% strength can also help manage inflammation.
When to Visit an Urgent Care Clinic?
At our Oak Ridge clinic, your health and comfort are our priority. If dry skin is becoming more than a minor annoyance, visit us for a professional evaluation. Whether it’s open sores, pain, or severe dryness, we’ll provide the care you need to restore your skin’s health. Stop by today!
