Even though winter is the time to focus on spending the holidays with friends and family, winter skin issues can be a distraction. Winter skin issues can vary from dry, cracked skin to flare-ups of different skin conditions. Being able to identify these issues and knowing when to visit your dermatologist will help keep your skin healthy all season long.
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Dry, Itchy Skin
Dry, itchy skin is one of the most common winter skin issues that occurs. The skin on your hands and face easily become dry during the winter. Other areas, including your legs and arms, can become dry from the combination of the cold and clothing rubbing against your skin. These dry areas of skin can quickly become itchy. Itching too much can lead to breaks in the skin which can become susceptible to infection.
Winter dry skin can easily be managed though. Wearing weather appropriate clothing can drastically reduce the possibility of your skin becoming dry and itchy. Apply lotion throughout the day, especially after washing your hands, to keep your skin moisturized.
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UV Damage
UV damage is not just a skin condition present in the summer. It can happen any time of year or can become more obvious after the summertime. It’s easy to forget to put on sunscreen during the winter months – whether it’s because you think you’re covered (literally) or you don’t think you’ll be in the sun for very long. Apply SPF 30 after your moisturizer to get the most out of both products and prevent UV damage from becoming one of your winter skin issues.
If you notice that you already have sun damaged skin, then you’ll be looking for treatment options rather than preventative tips. Photodynamic therapy is a medical dermatology procedure that targets sun damaged skin and precancerous lesions using light therapy. While there are at-home light therapy options, you will see the safest and best results from photodynamic therapy when completed by board-certified dermatologists.
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Dehydrated Skin
You may be thinking dehydrated skin is the same as dry skin – think again. Natural sebum is lacking from your skin when your skin is dehydrated. This can lead to two drastically different scenarios – skin that feels extra tight and dry or skin that is extra greasy.
It’s important to drink eight glasses of water a day year-round to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. If you’re not feeling a cold glass of water, drink a nice cup of tea. Tea is a great way to maintain your water intake during the coldest time of the year.
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Flare Ups
Winter weather can wreak havoc on your skin, especially if you are already managing a skin condition. If you have a skin condition that is already difficult to manage, seeing your dermatologist before the winter months make your skin unmanageable, will keep you one step ahead.
Eczema
Different types of eczema are one skin condition that can easily become one of your annoying winter skin issues. Eczema is characterized by red and itchy patches of skin. Dry air and running the heat all winter can cause an eczema flare up. Hot showers and baths, as well as too much clothing, can lead to dry skin which can cause an eczema flare up.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis, not to be confused with eczema, is another skin condition that can easily become irritated during the winter. This condition can be recognized by raised, red, scaly patches of skin. A common occurrence in winter that can affect your psoriasis is flu season. Anything that weakens the immune system can cause a psoriasis flare up. Lack of natural sunlight, either because of the shortened days or bundling up, can cause flare ups as well.
Rosacea
Rosacea is another common skin condition that can be affected by winter. Just like with eczema, bitter winds outside and constant heat inside can cause your rosacea to flare up. While hot water may feel good on your skin, it’s actually another cause for rosacea flare ups.
To prevent flare ups, moisturize frequently and drink plenty of water. Using a humidifier and changing to a gentler body wash and hand soap can help moisturize your skin. Another tip to prevent flare ups – dress appropriately. This doesn’t mean wear layers upon layers. If you’ll be doing manual labor or exercising outside, check to see what the right layer of clothing should be. You might only need a light jacket vs a heavy jacket.
See a Dermatologist for Any Winter Skin Issues
While not all winter skin issues are major concerns, it’s important to know when to see a dermatologist. If your symptoms or concerns last longer than a month, it’s time to see a dermatologist. We can help you create a treatment plan that works best with your lifestyle and skin type. If any of your winter skin issues are interfering with your quality of life, schedule an appointment with our Pittsburgh dermatology group today.
Vujevich Dermatology Associates offers medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology from some of the most highly trained physicians and clinicians in the greater Pittsburgh area. You can reach our team at 412-429-2570 or visit our contact page to see all of our locations. You can also follow us on Facebook to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.