Our Favorite Wintertime Eczema Tricks

Winter will be here before we know it. And while this chilly season means cozy sweaters and a whirlwind of holiday festivities, the cooler temperatures can wreak havoc on your skin, especially if you have eczema. 

Eczema is a common condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin patches. This condition can range from mild to severe, and the symptoms of eczema can come and go. However, many people find that the low humidity, icy winds, and indoor heating that come with winter make their eczema symptoms skyrocket. 

To prevent you from being miserable with raw and itchy skin this winter, our team led by allergist Chad W. Mayer, DO, FAAAAI, FAAP, at the Allergy and Asthma Institute of Southeast Michigan in Farmington Hills, Michigan, provides some helpful tips and tricks in this month’s blog.

Try out an oil-based moisturizer

Keeping your skin barrier moisturized is one of the best things you can do to prevent severe eczema flare-ups. When you have eczema, your skin already has a lower amount of moisture and the cold temperatures of winter only make that skin dehydration worse. 

Using a moisturizer with a high oil content such as an ointment or a product containing ceramides helps repair your skin and replenish its moisture levels. Apply these oil-based skincare products at least twice a day, more if your skin is repeatedly exposed to the cold weather winds.

Utilize a humidifier

Indoor heating systems often suck the moisture out of the air in your home, leaving you angry and chapped skin. An easy way to combat this low moisture problem is to try out a humidifier. You could either purchase a portable one or hook one up to your heating system. 

Make sure you clean out your humidifier regularly to get rid of any bacteria or fungi that can grow in the unit since they can also trigger eczema symptoms.

Avoid hot temperature baths and showers

When those outdoor temperatures are low, nothing sounds better than warming up with a hot bath or shower. However, anything hotter than lukewarm water could damage your delicate skin barrier and dry it out. If you decide to turn that water temperature up a little, moisturize within five minutes of getting out to reduce skin damage.

Limit contact with wool fabrics

Bundling up in warm wool clothing sounds like a foolproof way to ward off the chills of winter. Unfortunately, wool fabrics can be incredibly itchy and can cause you to overheat and sweat. Itchy fabrics and overheating are two big eczema triggers and should be avoided. Instead choose clothing made of cotton, bamboo, or silk.

For more information on eczema relief during the winter, schedule an appointment with our team by calling 248-363-3232 or using our online booking feature today.