Atopic Dermatitis in the Winter

Ana MacDowell, MD
Allergy Partners of Fayetteville, North Carolina


Eczema is characterized by itchy, dry, scaly, red, crusty skinAlso known as eczema, atopic dermatitis (AD) is a condition where there is a defective skin barrier. It is characterized by itchy, dry, scaly, red, crusty skin which sometimes becomes inflamed and oozing depending on how much scratching is being done. Because of the absence of the oils that normally keep moisture in, water evaporates and the skin becomes dry, itchy and inflamed.

About 10 percent of adults are affected with this condition. However, it is more common in children with as many as 15 percent of children under age 11 being affected. Generally begins in infancy and improves by the second year of life. There is a tendency to run in families with a history of allergy, asthma or dry, sensitive skin.

Eczema gets worse in the winter, when skin is dry Eczema gets worse in the winter, when skin is dry. The cold air outside and the dry heat inside together steal the skin’s natural moisture, it then becomes dry, scaly and itchy. Keeping the moisture in the skin is the most important measure to break the itch and scratch cycle.


Below are some tips to help you cope with the winter itch:

  1. Wash with luke warm waterWash with luke warm water. Hot water dissolves the skin's natural oils. Use lukewarm water for bathing and hand washing.
  2. Avoid soap. Soap removes the natural oils of the skin's surface. You can clean the skin effectively with plain water. Use soap in the groin area and under the arms, but avoid the rest of the body.
  3. After a bath treat the inflamed areas with steroid creams as needed.
  4. Moisturize within 3 minutes (The “3 minute rule”). Apply a generous amount of moisturizer after a shower or bath, to seal in the moisture your skin absorbed while bathing (the “Soaking and sealing” method). The best moisturizer is the one that you can tolerate as it is important to repeat application as often as you can remember. Moisturize within 3 minutes Avoiding moisturizers with fragrances or lanolin is a good idea as sensitivity to these ingredients is common.
  5. Lotions have alcohol and when it evaporates it also evaporates the moisture from the skin, so the skin may get dry faster. Use creams or ointments instead.
  6. A thin layer of petroleum jelly can be very effective because it works as a barrier preventing the moisture in the skin from evaporating.
  7. Protect yourself from the wind and the cold. Cover your face and use a petroleum-based balm for your lips.
  8. Protect yourself from the wind and the coldKeep fingernails short. Short nails decrease the likelihood that scratching will puncture the skin. Keeping nails short and wearing cotton gloves at night may help prevent scratching that punctures the skin while asleep.
  9. Antihistamines can also be good to try and stop the itch. This is especially important at night when people invariably scratch the skin in their sleep and may worsen the inflammatory process. It does not work for everybody, but it is worthy to try.

References:

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/skin/skin-care/regimen/itch-out
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/10/971029110001.htm
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/index.html

Allergy Partners, P.A. provides diagnostic testing and treatment of allergies, asthma and sinus diseases in a caring and professional environment, nation-wide at 22 office locations.

Click here to locate an Allergy Partners Office in your region.

Top