When it comes to your skin, the season that can undoubtedly be the hardest to endure is winter. If you suffer from eczema, winter weather can wreak havoc on your skin.
During the winter our skin suffers with the low moisture content in the air. Indoors we face the warm dry air from heating, and moving outside into the cold dries out skin even more. Exposure to air temperature changes also does a number on those who deal with eczema.
It is especially vital to protect and keep dry skin at bay during the winter months. If eczema is not properly cared for, skin of those with eczema can dry to the point of cracking and then bleed. Once to that point healing takes more time and is much more painful.
Here are some ideas for eczema treatment to keep the moisture in your skin despite the lack in the air:
1. Shorter baths or showers
Water is drying to the skin, and hot water, while it feels nice to take hot showers, is worse on the skin. In order to effectively care for eczema, keep showers and baths short. The best sort of glove to wear for eczema sufferers is actually leather. They not only protect from cold weather and dryness, they also are a very good barrier from the sun, which also dries out our skin. Avoid wool or synthetic gloves, which can aggravate your eczema-afflicted skin.
2. Try out a humidifier
Turning on a humidifier can make all the difference to your skin, and it will thank you with hydrated pores. While heaters dry out the air in your home, the humidifier will adds much-needed moisture back into it. It is especially helpful with children, as it is a challenge to keep their lotion and medications on them regularly.
3. Soothe your skin regularly with moisturizer
Keep lotion all throughout your house, in the car, in your purse, and at key points at work. While it may be the be the obvious thing to do, once or twice a day will not be enough during the winter. Make sure you always apply moisturizer after you wash your hands.
4. A Peaceful mind calms the skin
Would you be surprised to learn that cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” can often make your eczema worse? Stress can worsen inflammation, and the connection is your eczema is caused by inflammation. Welcome calm and relaxation, eat well, sleep well, and be mindful of that which creates imbalance in your life. Be kind to yourself and nurture patterns of healing.
Wintertime does not have to be brutal on your skin as as you take care and a little extra time in prevention.
