Eczema Winter Itch

Eczema During the Winter – Is Your Rash  More Severe?

If you suffer from an eczema rash, it may be more aggravated during the winter months. This is primarily due to the fact that the winter air results in dry skin and that the heating of our homes can continue this process. Eczema can be quite itchy and often the skin has red bumps, pink patches, inflammation and sometimes leaking of fluid. The skin can also get further compromised due to scratching it, leading to an infection.

During the winter, unlike the summer, people do not carry a bottle of water around with them. In the summer, people bring water to sports events, work and school and remember to stay hydrated. In the winter, we often drink tea and have less water, preferring to have hot drinks to warm up. However, it’s easy to get dehydrated or to be having less water intake . This can encourage eczema bumps and patches.

There is also a tendency to moisturize less during the winter months. Moisturizing is very important to eczema skin healing. In the summer because one wears shorts, people pamper their bodies more and this includes moisturizers. When you do moisturize, also remember to use a lotion that is for sensitive skin. Check ingredients as alcohol can dry out your skin and is in a number of skin moisturizing lotions.

In your home use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. If you don’t have one, place little bowls of water in each room and refill them. Forced, hot air heating can be very drying. After you shower or bathe, remember to moisturize right away to lock it in. Use sensitive skin products as stronger ones can strip body oils. Keep the water temperature warm and don’t spend a long time in the shower. In the winter, it’s easy to double the time we take a shower due to the wanting to postpone the cold air impact when we come out of it.

Taking these steps will help you to retain moisture in your skin. Don’t give in to scratching but use anti-itch creams and antihistamines to avoid getting a bacterial infection or increasing the rash.

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