Winter is no friend to delicate skin on the body, but one expert offers three key tips: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
"It's pretty intuitive, but it's repetitive," says Dr. David Pearson, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in Minneapolis. "In winter, the environment treats our skin differently, which means we can change our behavior to adapt."
When temperature and humidity levels drop, skin loses moisture, Pearson explained in a university news release. This is especially true in a cold, dry state like Minnesota.
To keep skin hydrated in the winter, Pearson recommends a thick moisturizer that comes from a bottle or tube, rather than something thin that comes out of a pump.
"I don't like a lot of additives, perfumes, flavors, etc., keep it simple," Pearson said.
When skin dries out, its ability to protect itself from external allergens and infection is affected. "Ceramides can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier, so they might be a good ingredient to look for," she adds.
Pearson said that some evidence suggests that humidifiers may also help, but probably less than a humidifier.
Use a mild soap when washing and keep a summer sunscreen. Even in its compact form, snow reflects a significant amount of UV rays, Pearson said. "Long-term exposure can be increased by active recreation (or long travel)," he explains.
Winter is especially harsh for people with eczema, especially if it's on the hands, Pearson said. Eczema causes dry, itchy, red skin.
In cold climates, Pearson, who specializes in autoimmune diseases of connective tissue, also looks at vascular conditions called Raynaud's disease and pernia. Symptoms can appear with exposure to cold.
"Rayne's disease is the rapid onset of a white or blue discoloration of the fingers and/or toes due to exposure to cold due to constriction of the blood vessels," he explained. "Pernio is the retention of tender pink blisters on the fingers and toes 1-2 days after exposure to cold."
In very cold regions, frostbite is another danger when skin temperatures reach 28°F or below. It will only take 30 minutes at 0°F.
"Our skin is not physiologically equipped for prolonged unprotected exposure to these temperatures, so be sure to wear a coat and hat when you go out," Pearson advises.
Learn more: The American Academy of Dermatology offers additional winter skin care tips.
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Cita : A winter wonderland? Not for your skin (2023, January 23) Retrieved January 23, 2023 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-01-winter-wonderland-skin.html
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