Itchy skin

The Dreaded Itch……

It is official, fall is here.  There are a lot of signs that fall has finally reached middle Tennessee.  The trees are changing their color, the temperatures have cooled off, and football season is in full swing.  Another sign that fall is here is the fact that we are seeing more and more patients at BMD with intense itching and dry skin.  As the seasons change, our skin’s ability to retain moisture and stay hydrated is compromised due to cold weather, dry heat in our homes, wind, and other elements .  Instead of scratching yourself to the point of bruising, there are some simple tips to try and help improve your dry skin.

1.  Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.Hydrating your skin with good lotions and creams can help repair the barrier level of your skin and help you retain moisture.  Look for products that are fragrance free and contain ceramides.  I sometimes counsel my patients to trade in their lotions for oil.  Using oil on wet skin after a shower is a great way to lock moisture into the skin.  Aveeno and Neutrogena have a few options for after shower body oils.  Also, its much more effective to apply moisturizers and oils to damp skin rather than really dry skin, so only towel off until you are “damp” and then apply your products.

2.  Change your laundry detergent and dryer sheets. Fragrances and dyes are two of the most common skin irritants.  Although you may not be allergic to either, they could be contributing to your dry and itchy skin.  Try changing to a brand that is free of dyes, like Tide Free or All Free and Clear.  Try to avoid dryer sheets, but if you have to use them, opt for fragrance free versions.

3.  Get out of the bath. Excessive water exposure can also dehydrate your skin.  Avoid long baths and opt for short, cooler showers.

4.  Axe, Bath and Body Works? No way! Avoid any products that have a heavy scent or perfume to them.  Again, this can irritate dry skin and make you itch worse.  Use products like Aveeno, Cetaphil, CeraVe, or Eucerin.  Look for labels that clearly say they are hypoallergenic or fragrance free.  Ladies, this may also mean that you will need to lay off the perfume for the next few months.

5.  Keep a humidifier in your bedroom.  This will help produce moisture in the air.  Furnace heated homes zap the humidity from the air, therefore drying out our skin.  In the winter, the humidity levels in a house can drop to below 10% due to heat, ideally, keeping the humidity levels around 30-40% in the house is best for our skin.

6.  Seek professional help. If you are already doing everything on this list and you are still dry and itchy, or you are developing fish like scales or red scaly plaques, it may be time to see someone.  Sometimes your skin needs more than just the above tips and prescription medications may be required.

Fall is by far my favorite time of year and I think it is for a lot of people, but the cooler weather can easily take a toll on our skin.  I hope these tips help you fight the the winter itch.  Remember to check back each month and see what our blogs have to offer.