How to prevent dry and itchy skin in winter

Showering is a relaxing experience, but taking a hot shower for too long is one of the most common causes of dry skin. Too much hot water will reduce the natural moisturizing ability of the skin's epidermal cells. Ordinary soaps and harsh cleansers strip away protective lipids and damage skin proteins.

How to prevent dry and itchy skin in winter

To prevent and treat skin itching, you cannot blindly apply anti-itching ointment on your body. Instead, you should first find the cause of the itching and then deal with it. The main causes of winter skin itching are as follows:

1. Complications of various diseases. Endogenous diseases of the body are also internal causes of skin itching, such as neurasthenia, cerebral arteriosclerosis, abnormal thyroid function, obstructive jaundice, diabetes and anemia, nephritis, habitual constipation, etc.

2. The body’s self-adjustment response. The temperature is low and the climate is dry in winter. The drop in temperature causes the skin and subcutaneous blood vessels to contract, and the secretion and excretion of sebaceous glands and sweat glands also decrease. The dry air makes the skin lack moisture, and the epidermis becomes thin and brittle. The body's defense capabilities will go through an adaptation period with changes in the climate, and symptoms of skin itching are prone to occur.

3. Reactions caused by external stimuli. Some small details in life may be ignored and may cause skin itching, such as exposure to dust at work and in life, using soap with too strong alkaline properties, eating spicy and irritating foods, and wearing synthetic clothing close to the skin. In addition, some people may suffer from dry and itchy skin because they like to stay in heated or air-conditioned rooms in the cold winter. Others may suffer from itchy skin because of frequent bathing or wrong water temperature.

How to prevent dry and itchy skin in winter

1. Take a long, relaxing shower

Showering is a relaxing experience, but taking a hot shower for too long is one of the most common causes of dry skin. Too much hot water will reduce the natural moisturizing ability of the skin's epidermal cells. Ordinary soaps and harsh cleansers strip away protective lipids and damage skin proteins, weakening the skin's surface protection and causing more moisture to drain from deeper tissues. Not only does your skin lose moisture, it also loses its ability to retain moisture. So shower with lukewarm (not hot) water, limit your bath time to 5-10 minutes, and use moisturizing soaps and body washes.

2. Stay Cool (and Warm)

Whether it's freezing cold or scorching hot outside, it's easy to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature with just a few adjustments on your thermostat. However, this convenience comes at the cost of skin health. Air conditioning and indoor heating can both cause dry skin. They absorb moisture from the air, which reduces the skin's resistance and dries out the epidermal cells. The temperature may be comfortable, but dry, itchy skin may follow. To prevent these problems, try using a fan instead of air conditioning occasionally, and use a humidifier to keep the air moist. In general, try to find a temperature that feels comfortable, neither too low nor too high.

3. Drink plenty of water

The climate is dry in winter, and drinking plenty of water is the best way to keep moisturized. You can also choose to drink chrysanthemum tea, which can also clear away dryness and heat at the same time.

4. Eat less spicy food

In winter, it is better to contract rather than disperse. Spicy taste disperses and drains the lungs. Try to avoid spicy food and staying up late, which can damage the skin. Try to eat less spicy foods such as onions and ginger. Some foods high in protein such as meat, seafood, coffee, hot drinks and spicy foods can also cause skin allergies and should be reduced as much as possible.