Articles

WINTER ITCH & FISH SCALE SKIN

Don't tell me winter's not over!

Jan 01, 2012 12:00 PM

Don't tell me winter's not over! This can only mean that December’s dower of fish scale skin will be ours to endure through February and March. If you’re one that struggles with the intense irritation of fish scale skin, you’re not alone. My patients’ most common winter complaint concerns the misery of dry, itchy skin.

Why Does Skin Dry Out?
* The air is dry in winter. Relative humidity is low in the buildings where we live and work. Central heating keeps us warm, but it draws moisture out of the air.
* Repeated exposure to soaps, solvents and disinfectants can remove vital fat from the skin, which in turn, leads to excessive drying.
* Dryness leads to itching. At first, scratching seems to relieve the itch of dry skin. But scratching actually causes the itch to worsen resulting in a wicked, “itch-scratch cycle.” Continued scratching damages the skin and makes it thicker and more susceptible to infections.

How About Bathing?
* Avoid frequent bathing as this can lead to dryness. Of course, most of us are unwilling to risk losing our friends and loved ones for the sake of smooth skin, so some other strategies for reducing the drying affects of bathing include:
* Adding bath oils to the bathtub or directly to the skin after bathing is helpful in preventing dryness. Bubble bath, however, is an irritant, and it can actually make your dry skin worse.
* Apply moisturizers after bathing. Moisturizers work best when your skin is still damp. They help trap essential water in the skin. If you prefer to add bath oils to your bath, try soaking in the tub for 5-10 minutes before adding the bath oil to the water.
* Soaps are very drying and should be avoided as much as possible. Restricting their use to the face, feet, armpits and groin is helpful. Avoid using scented and deodorant soaps. Mild soaps are best. Ask your pharmacist to recommend one that won’t dry out your skin.

Put the Brakes on the Itch-Scratch Cycle
* Frequent application of moisturizers will help prevent winter water loss. Creams last longer than lotions, but they are harder to apply. Again, your pharmacist will recommend moisturizers that work best.
* Men frequently have worse problems than women with winter itch because of their reluctance to use moisturizers. Get over it guys; unscented moisturizers are available and work well.
* Perspiration is very irritating to the skin, so wear loose cotton clothing next to your skin.
* Use lukewarm water in the bath or shower; the hotter the water, the dryer your skin.
* Keep the thermostat in your house on a lower setting. Humidifiers may also help counteract the drying effects of central heating.

A visit to your dermatologist may be in order if these recommendations don’t provide relief. Stronger treatments in the form of antihistamines and steroid creams may be warranted. For most of us, however, winter will soon be over and the warmer, moister pursuits of spring and summer will offer welcome relief from fish scale skin.