Winter Skin Woes

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, and you hope your skin stays delightful. Unfortunately, for many people, the cold weather causes some to sing a different song. Cold weather can bring on a plethora of winter skin woes that can truly drive us crazy. Issues like dry, itchy skin or scalp, chapped lips or dry hair can bring out the suffering diva in all of us!

Generally speaking, if you suffer from any of the above issues, getting advice from your local department store or drug store isn’t the best choice. Seek help from a medical professional such as a dermatologist, especially if the problem seems to be more complex. Nevertheless, below is a list of recommendations for dry skin, scalp, hair and chapped lips from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dry Skin:

• Moisturizer: Apply frequently every day. Look for products containing petrolatum or lanolin, which helps seal moisture in. Dermatologists may prescribe something stronger containing medications to help with severe dry skin like eczema.
• Make sure all soap is rinsed from hands after washing.
• Wear dish gloves to keep water away from hands.
• Moisturize right after shower and limit time in shower.
• Use a humidifier.

Chapped Lips:

• Apply lip balm at bedtime that contains the ingredients petrolatum or lanolin.
• Use a humidifier.

Itchy Scalp/Dry hair:

• If you have dandruff and itchy scalp, use a shampoo designed specifically to treat these conditions.
• Rinse shampoo thoroughly from hair.
• If you have dry hair, you may not need to wash your hair every day.
• Always condition your hair, but apply only to the ends.
• Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair, before washing hair and after washing hair.
• Use a shampoo and conditioner based on meeting your hair needs, not necessarily the most expensive brand.
• Use a humidifier in the winter.

If you try any of the above methods for relieving your winter skin woes without success, please visit with your doctor for further questions. Wrap yourself up this winter and stay warm!

Melanie Yunger is a local nurse practitioner and mother who works daily on preventing her children’s hands and lips from getting chapped.