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Skin Needs Protection From Winter Weather
Reported December 26, 2009
SATURDAY, Dec. 26 (HealthDay News) -- When the air outside is chilly
and low on humidity, and the air inside is heated and dry, you have a recipe
for chapped skin and cracked lips, dermatologists say.
To prevent scaling, flaking and itching, pay special attention to your skin
during the cold months by applying a cream-based moisturizer every day,
recommends Dr. Anjali Dahiya, a dermatologist at the Iris Cantor Women's
Health Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical
Center.
A good time to use moisturizer is just after showering to help trap moisture
on the skin's surface. Those with sensitive skin should choose a moisturizer
without fragrance or lanolin.
And although frequent hand washing is often urged to prevent the spread of
germs, all of that soap and water can also make hands chapped. Using a mild
soap and moisturizing afterwards can help relieve the dryness, the experts
say.
When it comes to bathing, stay away from very hot water. Short, lukewarm
showers or baths with a non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleanser are
easier on the skin. Immediately afterward, apply a mineral oil or petroleum
jelly-type moisturizer and gently pat skin dry.
Rinsing your body daily but using less soap can also help protect the skin's
natural moisturizers, said Dr. Monica Halem, a dermatologist and
dermatologic surgeon at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University
Medical Center.
To deal with dry air from heaters, add some moisture back into the air by
using a humidifier, and don't forget to clean it often to prevent mold and
fungus.
When heading outside, cover your face and use a petrolatum-based balm with
an SPF for your lips. It's also advised to use sunscreen, which is just as
important in the winter as in the summer if you're going to be spending time
in the snow, the dermatologist added.
While it may be tempting to try to get rid of that pasty look by visiting a
tanning bed, resist. Tanning beds damage the skin, leading to premature
aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Instead, choose self-tanners
with extra moisturizers, since some self-tanners can also dry out the skin.
Scaling, itching or cracked skin that is not relieved by moisturizers should
be checked by a dermatologist, who may suggest a prescription medication.
SOURCE: New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, news
release, Dec. 7, 2009 |
