As temperatures drop and the air becomes drier, many people notice changes in their skin. For people with eczema, fall and winter can be especially challenging. Cold outdoor air, low humidity, indoor heating and changes in daily routines can all contribute to dry, irritated skin and trigger an eczema flare-up.
Does this mean eczema always gets worse in winter? For many people, it can; however, eczema is different for everyone, and some people experience more symptoms during warmer months. The key is understanding your individual triggers and adjusting your skin care routine as the seasons change. Fortunately, a few simple changes can help protect your skin barrier and make seasonal eczema easier to manage.
What Causes Seasonal Eczema?
Eczema is influenced by a combination of factors, including the skin barrier, immune system and environmental triggers. You can learn more about the underlying causes and different types of eczema in our guide to eczema causes and treatment.
During the fall and winter, shifting environmental changes can be particularly significant contributors to eczema flare-ups. This makes attentiveness to winter skincare tips all the more important.
Cold, dry air
Cold air generally contains less moisture than warm air. As humidity drops, your skin can lose moisture more easily, which can leave the skin dry, tight, flaky and more susceptible to irritation. For someone with eczema, whose skin barrier may already have difficulty retaining moisture, this added dryness can contribute to a flare.
Indoor heating
Turning on the heat can make your home more comfortable, but heating systems can also contribute to lower indoor humidity. Spending more time in heated indoor environments can therefore compound the drying effects of cold weather.
A cool-mist humidifier, which restores moisture to the air, may be helpful for some people, particularly in the bedroom while sleeping. However, eczema triggers vary, so pay attention to how your skin responds rather than assuming that more humidity is always the solution.
Cold wind and outdoor exposure
Cold, windy weather can be particularly hard on exposed areas such as the face and hands. Covering exposed skin with gloves, scarves and other weather-appropriate clothing can help minimize irritation, and applying a moisturizer before heading outside may also provide an additional protective barrier.
Changes in clothing
Fall and winter mean heavier clothing, sweaters, coats and other layers. Unfortunately, some of the fabrics that keep you warm can also irritate eczema-prone skin. Wool, in particular, can be itchy for some people with eczema. Wearing a soft, breathable layer such as cotton underneath heavier clothing can help prevent irritating fabrics from sitting directly against the skin.
Hot showers and baths
When it’s cold outside, a long, hot shower can feel like the perfect way to warm up. Unfortunately, hot water can strip oils from the skin and contribute to dryness and irritation. This is one of the reasons a winter eczema skin-care routine should include shorter showers or baths with lukewarm rather than hot water.
Does Eczema Get Worse in Winter?
Winter is a common time for eczema flare-ups because several potential triggers occur at once: cold temperatures, wind, low humidity and indoor heating can all contribute to moisture loss and skin irritation. That being said, there isn’t one season that is universally worse for everyone with eczema.
Some people experience more severe symptoms during the winter, while others find summer to be more problematic because of heat, sweating, humidity or other seasonal triggers. Some people may experience flare-ups during both seasonal weather extremes, or instead, notice symptoms primarily when the weather is changing during fall and spring. So, whether eczema is worse in the winter or summer (or during the in-between seasons) depends more on your own individual triggers.
If you consistently notice an eczema rash or worsening symptoms in the fall and winter as the weather is getting colder, the combination of cold outdoor air and dry indoor air may be contributing to your flares. Keeping track of when your symptoms appear can help you identify patterns and make adjustments before your skin becomes significantly irritated.
8 Tips for Managing Eczema Flare-Ups
Whether you’re trying to prevent seasonal eczema or calm an existing flare-up, protecting your skin barrier is especially important during the colder months. Here are a few ways to get started.
1. Moisturize regularly
Moisturizing is one of the most important things you can do to help manage dry, eczema-prone skin. During fall and winter, you may find that a thicker cream or ointment works better than a lightweight lotion. Apply moisturizer regularly, particularly after bathing or washing your hands, while your skin is still slightly damp, to help seal in moisture.
Also, don’t forget areas that are frequently exposed to the elements, such as your hands, face and lips. If your skin is especially dry during the winter, consider keeping moisturizer readily available so you can reapply throughout the day.
2. Keep showers short and lukewarm
Resist the temptation to take long, steaming showers when the temperature drops. Instead, use lukewarm water and keep baths and showers relatively short. Afterward, gently pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it, and apply moisturizer promptly. We often recommend leaving moisturizer in your shower, so it’s easier to remember to put it on before you’ve even stepped out of the steamy room. Simple restructuring of your shower routines can help prevent things like bathing from adding to winter dryness.
3. Choose gentle, fragrance-free products
Soaps, body washes, detergents, fragrances and other everyday products can irritate sensitive skin. Consider choosing gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and skin-care products. You may also want to avoid introducing several new products at once, particularly when your eczema is already flaring. That makes it easier to identify a product if your skin reacts.
4. Dress for the weather — without overheating
Protecting your skin from cold air and wind is important, but bundling up so much that you become hot and sweaty can create another potential trigger. Try wearing breathable layers that you can remove as needed. Soft fabrics such as cotton can be a good choice for the layer closest to your skin, while a scarf, gloves or other outer layer can protect exposed skin from cold and wind. If wool irritates your skin, avoid wearing it directly against eczema-prone areas.
5. Protect your hands
Hands can be particularly vulnerable to eczema in winter because they are frequently exposed to cold air, wind, water and household irritants. Wear gloves when you’re outside, and consider using protective gloves for chores that involve water or cleaning products. Moisturize your hands after washing them, especially during particularly cold or dry weather.
6. Consider using a humidifier
Indoor heating can make already-dry winter air even drier. A cool-mist humidifier may help add moisture to the air and reduce some of the dryness that contributes to itchy, irritated skin. If you use a humidifier, keep it clean and pay attention to how your skin responds. Because eczema triggers differ from person to person, increased humidity may not be beneficial for everyone.
7. Avoid scratching when possible
Eczema can be intensely itchy, but scratching can further damage the skin and contribute to the itch-scratch cycle. If you feel the urge to scratch, try a cool compress instead. Keeping your fingernails trimmed can also reduce the amount of damage caused by accidental scratching. If itching is interfering with your sleep or daily activities, talk with a dermatologist about additional ways to manage your symptoms.
8. Pay attention to your personal triggers
Not every flare-up is caused by the weather. Often, the weather is just one more environmental change across all the other factors that may contribute to eczema symptoms, including stress, certain skin-care products, detergents, fabrics, allergens, infections, heat, and more.
If you notice that your eczema consistently becomes worse at a particular time of year, consider what else is changing around the same time. For example, you may be spending more time indoors, using your home’s heating system, wearing different fabrics or taking longer, hotter showers. Identifying these patterns can make it easier to manage eczema flare-ups before they become more severe.
Fall and Winter Eczema Treatment in Pittsburgh
For many people, adjusting their skin-care routine is enough to make eczema in fall and winter more manageable. Regular moisturizing, gentle bathing, protecting your skin from the elements and avoiding known triggers can all help support your skin barrier during dry weather.
However, if your eczema continues to flare despite your best efforts, a dermatologist can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Depending on the type and severity of your eczema, treatment may include prescription topical medications or other therapies designed to control inflammation and reduce symptoms.
It’s also worth seeing a dermatologist if you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is actually eczema. Several skin conditions can cause dry, itchy or inflamed patches, and getting the right diagnosis is a critical step toward finding the most effective treatment.
At Vujevich Dermatology Associates, we provide a wide variety of medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology services to patients throughout the greater Pittsburgh area, including evaluation and treatment for eczema. If you’re struggling with winter skin issues, recurring seasonal flare-ups or persistent dry, itchy skin, our dermatology team can help you understand what’s contributing to your symptoms and find a treatment approach that’s right for you.
You can reach our team at (412) 429-2570 or visit our contact page to see all of our locations in the greater Pittsburgh area. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.