Pace Paw Print

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Winter is around the corner, yet it feels like it has already arrived. With the cold weather quickly approaching, dry flaky skin will soon become a problem if it has not already.

Low temperatures and humidity are factors that contribute to dry skin as it reduces the skin's moisture and natural oils. This leads to skin feeling tight after a shower, looking rougher, flakey, and red. Tie in itchiness, and your skin could drive you crazy this season. However, there are strategies to help prevent this common condition.

Firstly, long hot showers may be comforting on a cold night, but they break down the skin's lipid barriers. Lipid barriers serve to protect and lock in the skin's moisture. Taking shorter, colder, and less frequent showers (one time a day versus two times), helps prevent dry skin.

Washing with soap removes oil from the skin. Therefore, using a mild soap works best in reducing the amount of oils removed. Doctors recommend Dove soap because it is both mild and moisturizing. Other recommended soap products include Neutrogena and Basis.

It is best to shower before bed, because stepping out into cold air will cause further breakdown in the skin.

After showering, apply lotion, creams, or moisturizers to the body when the skin is still damp. Make sure to cover the arms, legs, thighs, and sides of the abdomen; these areas tend to typically dehydrate more rapidly. Moisturizers permit the replacement of lost water, and help retain that water in the skin. Avoid any products that dry out the skin, such as perfume, which contains alcohol that absorbs moisture quickly.

Applying oils to the body, such as baby oil, helps hydrate the skin as well. However, not all oils stay on the skin for a long time, so this may not be the best option as far as duration.

Drinking plenty of water hydrates the body and its tissues. Without enough fluids in the body, some areas are left dry.

The type of clothing worn is important as well. Wool and other scratchy materials irritate the skin, helping the skin's surface deplete further.

Even though cold air causes dry skin, high humidity also plays a role. Central air and heating reduces the humidity in the air. Using a humidifier indoors helps prevent worsening irritation and flaking as it adds moisture to the environment.

In addition to skin, lips are often affected. Steer clear of licking chapped lips. Every time the lips are licked, fluid is lost, which then leads to cracking. Using lip balm or petroleum jelly is the best protective measure for dry, cracked, and chapped lips.

Other complications from cold winter air are present during this time of the year. However, these are the most common problems that the majority of students deal with. Staying moisturized is important in preventing dry skin and these simple suggestions can make a difference in the way your body and skin feel.

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