For the 190 million American adults who suffer from dry skin, winter is a season of discontent. Cold blustery winds evaporate moisture and overwhelm the skin’s oily protective barrier, or sebum. Cozying up to a wood-burning stove or cranking up the indoor heat also lowers the humidity, further parching the skin.
Made up of 65% water, the skin’s moisture content is dependent on three factors: hydration, sebum and environmental influences. Most people don’t drink enough water, so our skin dries out. Sebum can diminish from using harsh soaps, taking long showers and aging. (The protective layer begins to lessen at age 40.) Wet work — jobs requiring hands to be in and out of water — washes away sebum too, impacting housekeepers, medical personnel, hairdressers and construction workers. Windy, frigid weather magnifies the problem: 80% of people with dry skin suffer more in winter.
Dry skin most commonly involves legs, elbows, feet and hands. Dehydrated skin is scaly or rough; it can feel tight and uncomfortable. The associated itching often interferes with daily tasks and sleep. Skin eventually splits, giving a cracked pavement-like appearance. The fissures can start to bleed, cause pain and invite infection.
Treatment for dry skin is two-pronged. First, maximize moisture by drinking a minimum of one quart of caffeine-free liquids daily. Second, support the sebum layer by applying an emollient several times a day. Dermatologists recommend creams and ointments because they have more staying power and are less irritating than lotion. Choose products with healing ingredients such as urea, ceramide, glycerin and shea butter — and avoid irritating additives like fragrance, alcohols and sodium laurel sulfate. Some good choices are Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion, Neutrogena Fragrance Free Moisturizer or Eucerin. Natural products like sunflower seed or coconut oils are also effective.
The best defense is a good offense. Keep hand cream at every sink in your house and a cup to remind you to drink water. Wear cotton-lined latex gloves for protection from harsh chemicals or water when working or doing chores. Put on mittens or gloves outdoors to keep out the cold. Shower for just five minutes, use warm water rather than hot water and close the bathroom door to increase the room’s humidity. After bathing, pat your skin dry — don’t rub — then immediately slather on moisturizer. Shave carefully: Use a lubricating gel and shave in the direction of hair growth. Run a humidifier in your house and a steam vaporizer at your bedside.
Consult your medical provider or dermatologist if home treatments don’t help, especially if you develop a rash or if your skin looks infected — red, warm, painful or swollen. Eczema or psoriasis can mimic dry skin; a low thyroid count can also be the cause.
Not sure if you have dry skin? Try the scratch test: Gently rake your fingernails across the front of your lower leg. If you see flakes, time to start moisturizing.
Mary Jenkins recently retired after nearly 40 years as a family practice physician in New York state.