Winter weather can bring many different challenges to our daily life. From snow-covered roads to icy walkways, frozen pipes, and limited hours of sunlight, winter certainly requires some lifestyle adjustments. Cold weather increases the risk of injury, however, it also has other impacts on our health. Cold air is very dry, which can lead to dry and itchy skin. Learn about why your skin gets so dry during the winter and how to prevent it. Visit AFC Urgent Care for the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions near Waltham, MA.
How Cold Weather Impacts Your Skin
While winter brings many beautiful things, cold weather certainly has its downfalls at times. Cold weather is incredibly cold and dry. In contrast, our skin prefers to be warm and moist. Exposure to the cold winter air can cause your skin to dry out. Not only does this happen on your face, but it can happen anywhere. Common areas include your legs, hands, face, and even your scalp. This is because these are the areas that are most commonly exposed to the cold winter air on a regular basis.
Common Winter Skin Conditions
Skin irritation can be caused by cold air exposure. Cold air can also exacerbate existing skin conditions. If you’re someone who suffers from skin irritation during the winter months, it could be caused by one of these common conditions:
- Eczema
- Rosesea
- Psoriasis
- Chilblains
If you are someone who is struggling with extremely dry, itchy skin, you should seek medical care. If your skin flakes off and becomes raw, it can be prone to infection which can lead to scarring.
How to Manage Skin Irritation At Home
During the colder winter months keeping your skin moist and hydrated certainly is a challenge. Not only does the cold winter air dry out your skin, but indoor heating also promotes a very dry and hot environment which also can be very drying. In most cases, it is possible to prevent your skin from drying out by using the correct skincare products and making some simple lifestyle adjustments. However, in the case of a skin condition, you likely need specialized products to help reduce irritation.
Try these tips if you struggle with dry, irritated skin during the winter:
- Avoid long, hot showers
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom
- Don’t turn the heat up too high
- Use the correct skincare products
- Apply Vaseline or Aquaphor to especially irritated skin
Visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for Same-Day Care
If you’re suffering from extremely dry and irritated skin, you may have an underlying condition that is flaring up due to cold weather. However, cold weather itself can cause your skin to become dry and irritated. At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, our healthcare professionals are fully board-certified and able to diagnose and treat a wide variety of health concerns. Simply walk into our clinic when it’s convenient for you. We’re open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm!
