Winter skin is the worst. No matter how much you moisturize, your skin peels and cracks. You aren’t alone. Aside from dry skin, there are several other common winter skin issues women suffer from each year, and Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN breaks them down for you here.
Chapped Skin
If you love to ski, snowboard, or otherwise spend time outdoors during the winter months, you’ve likely suffered from chapped skin. Highly irritated and painful, chapped skin is caused by dehydration and outdoor elements such as sun exposure and windburn. Prevent chapped skin by applying a healing ointment prior to your outdoor fun. Apply sunscreen, too.
Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin is different from dry skin. Dry skin is flaky and itchy, and women with dry skin have sebaceous glands that do not produce enough natural oil. If you have dehydrated skin, your body doesn’t produce sebum. Signs of dehydrated skin include greasy or tight skin. Dehydrated skin is also often irritated and red. Use gentle cleansers and moisturizers to hydrate your skin.
Dandruff
When the air dries out during the cooler months, many people find they suffer from dandruff. They might not have an issue any other time of year, but since your scalp is skin, it’s possible to experience this winter skin conundrum. A simple solution is an anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner. If you lose your hair as well, see a specialist to ensure nothing else is wrong.
Dry Feet and Hands
Your feet and hands are naturally drier than the rest of your skin, which is why winter wreaks havoc on them. Winter skin on the feet, hands, and cuticles tends to crack and split. This is horribly painful, especially if the tips of your fingers split. When the mercury drops, it’s time to purchase intensive feet, hand, and cuticle creams, and keep socks on and wear night gloves.
Red Nose
Face it. Rudolph didn’t even want to be called Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and you likely feel the same way. Winter cold and winter colds turn many people’s noses redder than a tomato. Frigid air, nose blowing, and even scratching because the skin is dry can get you named alongside Rudolph. A quick fix is lip balm. Rub it on your irritated nose as you do your lips.
If you suffer from these or any other winter skin issue, give us a call at 770-474-1919. Yes, Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN in Stockbridge, GA, is an OB/GYN, but we know a thing or two about skin, too, and we’d be happy to take a look or refer you to a specialist.
