Tips to ease the itch

Is your skin feeling dry and itchy? The colder temperatures combined with dry air from having the heat on lead to dry, itchy, or even cracked and damaged skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, some people are more susceptible to dry skin including those who are middle age or older. However, all of us experience the issue at one time or another. SSM Health Medical Aesthetician Audrey Hendrickson offers her tried and true advice on easing the itch.

Use a Humidifier

First, Hendrickson suggests both using a humidifier and lowering the thermostat at home. This helps keep moisture in your skin.

“I also recommend adding a hyaluronic acid serum like Environ’s Hydrating Serum to the humidifier,” says Hendrickson. “Hyaluronic acid is a humectant which means it will attract and pull moisture from the air into the skin.”

Limit Long, Hot Showers

Long, hot showers can feel relaxing, but too much time under hot water aggravates dry skin. Hendrickson recommends setting some limits and moisturizing with a body cream or oil immediately after showering to lock in hydration.

Choose Heavier Creams and Ointments

Hendrickson also advises patients to up their skin cream game in the winter, opting for heavier creams or ointments. These products seal in hydration, prevent moisture loss, and add a better layer of protection for your skin. She notes that top recommended brands like CeraVe, Cetaphil and Neutrogena are good, affordable options.

She also says using a heavier ointment like Aquaphor or Vaseline to dry, flaky, itchy, or irritated areas until the issue resolves provides protection and relief.

“I love applying Aquaphor on my elbows and my lips during the winter to keep them moisturized,” says Hendrickson. “Winter comes with colds too and constant nose blowing. Sometimes this can make the area around our noses raw as well. For relief, apply a moisturizer that works by forming a protective layer on the surface of your skin and creates a barrier to prevent moisture loss.”

Get More Vitamin A

Vitamin A is needed to help with skin cell turnover, so a Vitamin A deficiency can lead to skin conditions including premature aging, acne, irritation, and pigmentation issues. Serums and other Vitamin A products work best when applied at night, just before bed.

Hendrickson notes Vitamin A products can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so wearing sunscreen is important.

“I recommend wearing sunscreen everyday year-round,” she says.

When to See a Doctor

If you are really suffering and cannot find relief for your dry skin, there is help. Hendrickson recommends calling the doctor if your dry skin comes on suddenly, is frequent, or very severe. There are prescription treatments that can provide relief quickly.

“Also, there are some illnesses that can cause excessively dry skin like diabetes, thyroid disease, or kidney disease,” notes Hendrickson. “You definitely want to get to the bottom of the reason for severe dry skin.”

Find an SSM Health dermatologist and schedule an appointment or telehealth consultation.