6 Tips for Preventing Eczema Flare-ups this Winter

While winter remains the season for snow, warm sweaters, and the colors of red and white, it can also be the time of flare-ups for people with skin allergies and sensitive skin.

Shorter days, longer nights, and the chilly weather. 

These are just some of the things that people enjoy when winter comes into the background after trick-or-treating in November. Yet behind the barren trees and blankets of snow that cover the surroundings lurk another challenge for people with skin allergies and sensitivities—the cold temps.

For most people with atopic dermatitis or eczema, flare-ups come and go. People who have this skin condition frequently experience dry skin during winter because their skin becomes less able to retain moisture. This dryness then increases the likelihood that the skin will react to certain triggers, resulting in itchy, cracked, and painful symptoms.

According to MedicalNewsToday, people usually discover that their eczema gets particularly bad on parts of the skin that they expose, such as hands and face. "When the skin is experiencing big changes in temperature, it starts to dry and feel itchy," said the health blog. 

"Our skin keeps jumping back and forth between temperature extremes. This cycle of moving from the cold air outside to the warm and dry air indoors can make the skin dry and cracked," it added. 

Johnson & Johnson expressed the same worry, stating that "cold, dry conditions sap the natural moisture from your skin," which then causes flare-ups of eczema. Aside from the cold, some claim that when the air is dry or dusty, when they are stressed, perspiring, or when the temperature is too high or too low, their symptoms worsen. After all, your eczema symptoms could be brought on by a variety of things. 

Common triggers include:

• Irritants

Soaps and detergents, including shampoo, washing-up liquid and bubble bath.

• Environmental factors or allergens

Cold and dry weather, dampness

• Food allergies

Allergies to cows' milk, eggs, peanuts, soya or wheat

• Certain materials

Wool and synthetic fabrics

• Hormonal changes

Women may find their symptoms get worse in the days before their period or during pregnancy

• Others

House dust mites, pet fur, pollen and molds

As soon as the air becomes bitterly cold, it's crucial to be even more cautious of your surroundings. Cottonique urges you to take these 6 useful tips for minimizing eczema outbreaks, soothing irritated skin during winter.  

1. USE A HUMIDIFIER 

As the air gets much drier both inside and outside the house, people with eczema should use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. MedicalNewsToday reported that using a humidifier in the house can help “stop the skin from cracking and becoming irritated.”

2. MOISTURIZE 

The dry air and low humidity of winter may require you to step up your moisturizing efforts. After all, moisturizing is a crucial component of eczema skincare. 

To protect the skin from the chilly, dry winter air, always carry moisturizer and use it liberally several times per day. The National Eczema Association has provided a list of approved oil-based moisturizers and emollients for shoppers to use. 

3, USE MILD SKINCARE PRODUCTS 

If you have eczema, it’s imperative that you use mild skincare products during the changing temperatures of winter. Always opt for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic soap, and moisturizers as harsh fragrances can irritate the skin, triggering flare-ups and inflammation.

Brutal chemicals or fragrances found in soaps and detergents have the potential to cause skin problems. You may switch to natural or unscented skincare products to reduce irritation. Additionally, it's best to avoid over-washing the body, face, or hands as doing so can dry out skin by removing its natural oils.

4. SKIP THE HOT BATH

When you come in from the cold, a steamy shower can feel like a treat. However, the sudden change in temperature might make things worse, leading to irritation. ClevelandClinic.Org believes that "hot water can take protective oils out of the skin and cause inflammation." 

Instead of using hot water, take shorter, lukewarm showers! Immediately after drying off, apply a thick, hydrating cream or ointment. By repairing the skin barrier and aiding in moisture retention, this will help keep allergens and irritants outside and lock in moisture.

5. WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

We now know that being in the cold can make certain parts of your body flare up, but the solution isn't to cover yourself in a bundle of layers. ClevelandClinic.Org explained that wearing layers of clothing will only cause the body to perspire. And sweat, along with the cold, can irritate eczema. 

What’s the quick fix? Layer yourself with comfortable fabric to avoid winter flare-ups of eczema. Layering helps keep people at an evenly warm temperature, allowing their skin to breathe when needed while protecting their body from exposure. 

Moreover, when layering up, always choose natural fabrics. Harsh fabrics, including wool, are commonly used in winter clothes, and they may irritate your skin further. Since wearing synthetic fabrics, incorporated with chemical additives and harsh elastics, may aggravate the skin, we believe that the best clothing for people with eczema should be made from organic materials, like 100% organic cotton.

As with other skin conditions, comfort is critical for people with eczema, so make sure that those who experience its symptoms are wearing clothes made with the highest cotton content possible. Good thing, we have put the purity of our clothing as our highest priority. 

Our allergy-free organic cotton collections, made without synthetic fibers and other harmful chemicals, promise allergy-free comfort with every wear. From tops and bottoms to accessories and masks, each piece is made through safe processes, preventing skin irritations and flare-ups.

6. SEEK YOUR DERMATOLOGIST 

The fact that eczema affects everyone differently makes it challenging to prevent, similar to other skin allergies. In the end, there isn't a single treatment that works for everyone with eczema. 

Cottonique advises speaking with your doctor if the aforementioned suggestions don't help you manage your breakouts or resolve your skin problems. Your dermatologist may also recommend a variety of creams, medications, and ointments to soothe the itching when winter arrives in addition to offering advice on various eczema treatment options. 

To know more about eczema, you may visit this helpful resource from the National Eczema Association. You may also read our previous blog: Eczema Care: What is Wet Wrap Therapy?

DISCLAIMER: The information presented on Cottonique is not, and will never be, intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content materials found on this site, from text, treatments, outcomes, charts, graphics, photographs, and study findings, are created and published for general informational purposes only. It should not, in any way, be construed as a standard of care to be followed by a user of the website. 

Thus, readers are encouraged to verify any information obtained from this website with other accurate references and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with their physician. As Cottonique strives to help those with allergies live with better days, the hypoallergenic apparel brand encourages everyone to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.