Winter can be rough on your skin, causing dryness that may feel itchy, flaky, or rough. While common on hands and legs, it varies based on age, health, and lifestyle. With many saving money after Holiday shopping, read how you can help your dry skin before stopping at Walmart for skincare or a humidifier.

Visit AFC Statesville for treatment!

Common Causes of Dry Skin:

Low humidity during winter dries out the air and, in turn, your skin. This leads to tight, flaky skin, often referred to as xerosis, which can also be caused by harsh products or aging.

What Else Causes Dry Skin?

Frequent handwashing, though important for hygiene, can significantly worsen dry skin during winter. Washing with warm water and soap multiple times a day strips the natural oils that keep your skin moisturized. Add in the cold, dry air of the season, and it’s a recipe for flaky, irritated skin. Even hot showers and harsh soaps can contribute to the problem. To avoid dryness, use a gentle soap, rinse with lukewarm water, and moisturize immediately after washing or bathing to restore lost hydration.

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

Worried it could be something more? Visit AFC Statesville for comprehensive 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.

Our Statesville clinic team can offer more in-depth dermatology care during your visit.

Tips to Keep Moisturized:

Take these steps to help your skin retain moisture and decrease dryness:

• Shower every other day with warm water, limiting bath time to 5–10 minutes.
• Use gentle, moisturizing soaps and avoid products with harsh chemicals, alcohol, or fragrances.
• Pat skin dry with a soft towel and immediately apply a thick moisturizer to trap water.
• Use a moisturizer with SPF 30 or more when going outside, even on cloudy days.
• Run a humidifier to add moisture to dry indoor air, and clean it regularly.
• Wear soft, natural fabrics like cotton or silk, and avoid irritants like wool.
• Refrain from scratching or scrubbing dry patches to prevent irritation.

A cool compress can help relieve itchy dry skin, while a 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment can reduce inflammation and irritation.

When to Visit an Urgent Care Clinic?

Don’t let dry skin keep you down—AFC Statesville is here to help. If lifestyle changes and home remedies aren’t enough, and your skin is causing discomfort or open sores, come to our clinic for expert care. We’ll get you on the path to healthier skin right away!