Winter is here, and while we all love to bundle up in sweaters and blankets and sip hot cocoa by the fire, there's one thing that can happen during the winter months that you absolutely don't want: itchy skin.
While it's not a serious medical problem (at least not usually), it does make you feel miserable when your skin starts to itch all over. But why does this happen? And what can you do about it? Let's take a look at some common reasons for having dry, itchy skin in winter.
Winter Weather
If you're itching, it's likely because of dry skin which is caused by low humidity and can be exacerbated by heaters and central heating systems. This makes the winter a tough time for anyone with sensitive or dry skin.
Cold, dry air is the most common cause of dry and itchy skin because it causes your skin to lose moisture. Dry air is caused by the heating systems you use to keep your home warm, or central air that keeps your whole house cool.
As the air becomes colder and drier, your skin loses moisture faster than it can replace it. The result? Dry, flaky patches all over your body—and that's not fun for anybody! So how do you keep your skin moisturized and healthy during the winter months? The answer is simple: use a humidifier. A humidifier will add moisture to the air, which means that it won't dry out as quickly.
If you have an older central heating system or an energy-efficient one with a humidifier, it may not be humidifying enough to make up for the heat being pulled out of the air by central cooling units. This can result in uncomfortable levels of dryness in your home during cold months—and can even cause seasonal eczema flare-ups.
Common Skin Problems
Some people are more prone to itchy skin than others. Certain medical conditions can also cause your skin to become dry and irritated, which may in turn make you itch more. Conditions such as psoriasis or eczema can result in an excessive amount of dryness, redness and irritation on the surface of your skin. These types of conditions are often characterized by a raised rash that’s covered with silvery scales that flake off easily from the surface of your skin.
Other conditions like atopic dermatitis, dermatitis and dandruff can cause itching too but they tend not to be as severe as some other causes of itching such as seborrheic dermatitis (an oily build-up on top layers of skin) or contact dermatitis (irritation caused by direct contact with irritants).
Over-washing Your Skin
Winter itch is a real thing, and it's not just because you're cold. Between the dry indoor heat and chilly outdoor air, it's a struggle for anyone to keep their skin healthy. You know what else can be tough on your skin? Overwashing!
When your skin is constantly exposed to harsh weather conditions, it needs all the moisture it can get to stay healthy and hydrated. But when you're washing your skin daily with harsh cleansers that strip away all of your skin's natural oils, you're actually drying out your skin—and this can cause itching and irritation.
The solution? Skip the harsh cleansers and opt for a gentle cleanser with moisturizing ingredients. CLn 2-in-1 Gentle Wash & Shampoo contains a moisture-rich formula that hydrates and soothes sensitive skin. This product is also gentle enough to remove impurities without drying out hair or irritating roots.
Lightweight and mild, it is designed to replenish lost nutrients for healthy-looking skin and hair. And if you add the bottle pump to your order, you can easily use this gentle wash and shampoo in shower!
For those who find themselves washing their hands often, CLn HandWash is the ideal product. Its mild formula cleanses without drying out skin and disrupting its natural barrier function—a necessity for regular hand washers like nurses, doctors or food handlers.
Another tip: Avoid using alcohol-based hand sanitizer on a regular basis because it will also irritate sensitive skin and make you feel more itchy instead of less itchy!
Conclusion
If your skin is itchy, it can be very annoying. But you don’t have to suffer through the winter with dry, itchy skin. It’s important to figure out what is causing your itchiness and then treat that cause. If you think something else might be going on with your body, make sure to see a doctor because sometimes there are more serious causes behind this condition like an infection or other medical conditions that may need immediate attention.