WE are well and truly in the thick of winter, and you may be feeling more dry, itchy and bothered than ever.
Winter can wreak total havoc on our skin, but many aren’t aware of the actual causes.
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GP, Dr Nisa Aslam from Typharm’s Skin Life Sciences Foundation says: “The skin is the biggest organ in the body with a prime role in acting as a physical barrier to the external outdoor and indoor environment.
“When your skin is healthy, it does its job well but come winter, skin may become dry, sore and irritated and its protective mechanism is compromised.”
Research by Typharm revealed that four in five of those who suffer from a skin condition say it undermines their confidence.
An alarmingly high 97 per cent of young adults, aged 18 to 29, believe they would be more confident if it weren’t for their skin ailment.
So what can we do to prevent if from worsening in the first place?
Dr Aslam reveals the key mistakes you may be making that are irritating the skin.
1. You’re wearing scarfs and woolly jumpers
It might be adding an extra layer of warmth, keeping your neck, ears and mouth warm, but Dr Aslam says that your scarf could be causing skin issues.
She says: “Friction from a scarf can cause skin inflammation and itchiness around the neck.
“The area around the mouth may also get sore due to a mixture of friction from your scarf and moisture around the mouth.
“A scarf also causes your neck to sweat and pores can get blocked with the result that acne may develop or worsen.”
Plus, think back to when you last put your scarf in the wash…. Likely a while ago.
Dirt and bacteria can accumulate on your scarf, which then transfers to your skin, potentially leading to spots and acne.
Cold urticaria is a skin reaction to cold that appears within minutes after cold exposure. Affected skin develops itchy welts (hives) which are due to the release of histamine.
Dr Nisa Aslam
The same applies to your winter hat; make sure this is washed regularly to avoid dirt and grime spreading to your forehead and potentially causing spots and breakouts.
For some, wool won’t cause any issues. But for others, wool can lead to itchy skin and even rashes.
You may have a wool allergy, in which case, removing wool from your wardrobe would be the first step to helping calm your skin.
2. You’re not getting outdoors enough
Limited sunlight doesn’t just impact our mood. It can also cause our skin to suffer.
Dr Aslam says: “People with psoriasis suffer more in the winter due to lack of sunshine combined with cold air.
“Lack of sunshine means the skin’s ability to make vitamin D is much reduced and vitamin D reduces inflammation throughout the body.
“UVB rays from sunlight help to slow the rapid skin growth and shedding which may clear psoriasis in some cases. Limited sunlight may therefore exacerbate psoriasis.”
Explaining psoriasis, Dr Aslam says it is associated with a problem in the immune system causing excess production of skin cells.
She says: “It typically causes dry patches of skin that are covered in scales.
“It is not known what causes it but psoriasis often runs in families and various triggers including cold weather, which extracts moisture from your skin, which is already at a premium for people with psoriasis.”
Vitamin D may also be useful for people with eczema, though the research is rather muddled.
Regardless, the NHS says everyone should take a vitamin D supplement in the winter. It adds 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.
3. You’re not preparing your skin for the cold
No, you can’t help how cold it is. But you may be able to protect your skin from the harms.
Dr Aslam says: “Dermatitis is inflamed skin which is usually red, dry and itchy, common when the skin is exposed to cold, windy weather.
“It may cause a rash with swelling as the skin barrier is impaired allowing allergens and irritants to penetrate.”
She says your GP can prescribe products that help, but pharmacists will be able to show you over-the-counter products, too.
For example, emollients can be applied to the skin to hydrate it and cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture. Emollient creams are best for day time use because they are light, compared to ointments, which are thick and best used at night.
The cold can lead to sore, chapped lips. Use a lip balm containing petroleum jelly or beeswax to protect lips when outside.
Once we turn the heating up the humidity in the room falls. Combine that with dry cold air outside and the skin can get flaky, itchy and irritated.
Dr Nisa Aslam
Dr Aslam warns of allergy to the cold (yes, it’s a real thing!).
She says: “Cold urticaria is a skin reaction to cold that appears within minutes after cold exposure.
“Affected skin develops itchy welts (hives) which are due to the release of histamine. It occurs most frequently in young adults but if you think you have this condition, consult your doctor.”
Treatment can include taking antihistamines and avoiding cold air and water.
4. The heating is on too much
We don’t blame you for turning the heating on. But try to have breaks throughout the day, or at least have it on a lower temperature.
Dr Aslam says: “Once we turn the heating up or light a fire the humidity in the room falls considerably.
“Combine that with dry cold air outside and the skin can get flaky, itchy and irritated.”
If your skin becomes itchy, this may be a sign of conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis, which a GP can help you with.
Soothe itchy skin with a fragrance-free moisturiser and apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the area to relieve the itchy.
When you are putting the heating on, aim for a temperature of 18C.
5. Your showers are too hot
It might be the best way to keep warm during the chillier months, but Dr Aslam explains that long, hot showers can strip oil and moisture from the skin.
“The longer you are in the shower the more this process continues,” she says.
Hot water can also cause distress to your scalp, stripping away moisture and causing it to become dry, which in turn can also cause dandruff.
Make sure the temperature of your shower is luke warm, and when you get out, apply moisturiser to trap moisture in the skin.
6. You’re stressed
Longer, darker nights, coughs and colds, less movement and potentially unhealthy habits – just some factors that may be making life more stressful.
Studies show that stress can have a negative effect on overall skin wellness.
And it can exacerbate a number of skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, and hair loss.
This is because stress may disrupt the healthy skin barrier – a protective layer of ceramides lipids, cholesterol, and fatty acids that shield your skin from from irritating substances.
“Stress causes increased inflammation and poor wound healing all of which can exacerbate skin conditions like eczema,” Dr Aslam says.
It may also cause you to pick or scratch your skin without realising it.
“Plus, lack of moisture in the environment causes the skin not to shed normally, which leads to a build-up of dead cells,” Dr Aslam says.
Keep the barrier of your skin primed by following the steps described above, including avoiding high temperatures and using emollients.
Maintain healthy habits, such as exercising daily, getting fresh air and eating nutritious meals, to mitigate the impact of stress on the body.
If you need extra help, turn to products such as Dermalogica Barrier Repair, £49, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm, £18, or CeraVe Moisturising Cream, £11.50.
Dr Aslam says that for eczema flare-ups, consider asking your GP for a steroid cream.
She adds that transparent medical surgical tape such as fludroxycortide tape is also useful.
“This is impregnated with the steroid fludroxycortide and when applied to the skin, it helps to reduce redness, swelling and itching.
“It also contributes to wound healing and is used to treat difficult skin cases, especially when the skin is dry and scaly.”
When to speak to your GP
“If you are experiencing flare-ups, or skin symptoms which are affecting your day-to-day life, it is important you speak to your GP or another qualified health professional to explore your options,” says Dr Aslam.
She adds: “Under-treated eczema and psoriasis can have a serious impact on quality of life and increase the risk of infection and chronic skin changes.”
