Winter climate adjustments can negatively have an effect on the skin — the body’s largest organ.
Colder temperatures and a scarcity of moisture within the air can injury unprotected skin, particularly on the face and fingers.
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They’re the injuries in an annual battle with dry winter air.
“When the temperature drops, the humidity tends to drop with it,” says Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist. “And, so, naturally your skin dehydrates.”
Dr. Davis says fingers are particularly susceptible to cracks and cuts that may put you in danger for an infection.
“So the use of winter clothing is very helpful to help slow or delay or prevent evaporation off the skin surface,” says Dr. Davis.
If that is not sufficient, Dr. Davis suggests considered one of three classes of moisturizers: ointments, which comprise oil; lotions, which have oil and water; and lotions, that are typically water-based.
“If your skin is extremely raw, you may want to start with ointments,” says Dr. Davis.
Once skin improves, rubbing in a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free cream or lotion, might present sufficient moisture to forestall additional issues.
“And, remember, these products only last for a few hours at maximum,” says Dr. Davis. “So you really need to hydrate and moisturize at minimum two to three times daily.”
