Avoid dry skin in the winter!

Dry skin is often rough, red and itchy, usually in places such as the hands, wrists, ankles or shins, but also often occurs in the feet, thighs and stomach. This can lead to cracking and breaking. As the cold air outside and the heat inside the enclosed space causing poor humidity, often the problem occurs during the winter months.

Dry skin can be hereditary, caused by aging, due to medical conditions such as asthma or diseases of the thyroid gland. Even daily exposure to severe skin soaps, detergents or other aggressive cleaning agents can cause or aggravate dry skin.

Since most of the causes of dry skin outside interference, only a few changes in skin care can help. Whatever the cause, there are many things you can do to dry skin become soft and smooth.

Try these tips while bathing or showering:

• Skip long, hot showers. Hot water removes the oil from the skin faster than hot water. Long showers or bath actually lead to skin dryness. Try to limit yourself to 5 to 10 minutes under a warm shower or bath.
• Use a mild skin cleansers or shower gel with moisturizer.
• Hydrate skin while it is still wet. Skin a little dry with a towel after a shower leaving it moist. Apply a moisturizer within three to five minutes after a shower to keep skin moisture.

There is no need to pay a fortune for a good, rich moisturizer. Read the label. Ingredients that can help with dry skin are:

Ceramides

Ceramides help the skin retain water and soothe dry skin. The synthetic ceramides can mimic natural substances in the deepest layers of the skin and help retain moisture.

Dimethicone and glycerin

Retain water in the skin.

hyaluronic acid

As ceramides, hyaluronic acid helps the skin to retain water.

Lanolin, mineral oil and petrolatum

Hold water that is absorbed into the skin during bathing.

If you want soft and smooth skin turn on the humidifier at home to help keep skin hydrated, when the indoor air is dry during the winter months. Try to wear cotton clothing and other natural fiber clothing. Wool, synthetics or other fabrics can scratch and irritate the skin.

Drink lots of water and eat foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Essential fatty acids can help to keep the skin’s natural oils.
If even with these tips redness and itching of the skin do not stop may be a dermatitis.

Seborrheic  dermatitis

This type includes a red, scaly skin, itchy rash on various areas of the body, especially areas that contain many sebaceous glands.

Allergic contact dermatitis

It occurs when the skin comes into contact with a substance that causes an allergic reaction, such as poison ivy.

Atopic dermatitis

Also known as eczema. This is a long type of dermatitis that often causes excessively dry skin and itching.

Athlete’s foot

In many cases appears as itching, flaking skin on the soles of the feet and between the toes. If left untreated, can progress to skin inflammation and redness which is typical for dermatitis.