![winter itch winter itch](https://villagederm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Winter-Itch-768x489.jpg)
Signs of infection develop, including: Increased pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness, red streaks extending from the area, discharge of puss, fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.78 degrees Celsius) or higher with no other cause, swollen lymph nodes near the infected wound or in the neck, armpits or groin.
#Winter itch skin#
Your skin is badly broken from scratching. Itching is so bad that you cannot sleep and home treatment is not helping. You itch all over your body but there is no obvious cause or rash. Avoid strong detergents when you have a rash.Ĭall your physician if any of the following symptoms are present: Rinse twice to remove all traces of the cleaning product. Try washing your clothes with a mild detergent such as CheerFree or Unscented Tide. Avoid deodorant soaps when you have a rash. Use gentle soaps, such as Basis, Cetaphil, Dove, or Oilatum. Avoid wearing wool and acrylic fabrics next to your skin. Cut nails short or wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching. Dry skin may make itching worse.Īvoid scratching as much as possible. Apply a moisturizer or calamine lotion to the skin while it is damp. Use a nonprescription antihistamine medication, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).Īvoid dry skin, which will worsen itching caused by a rash. If itching is severe, your physician may prescribe a stronger cream. Try an oatmeal bath to help relieve itching. Keep the water as cool as you can tolerate. Heat increases itching.Īvoid taking a hot shower or bath. However, remember that repeated wetting and drying will actually dry your skin. If itching is a problem, try the following:
![winter itch winter itch](https://www.lynnklein.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Klein-How-to-Ease-the-Winter-Itch-of-Eczema.jpg)
If dry, brittle nails are a problem, use lotion on your nails as well. (Dry feet may benefit from similar treatment.) I often prescribe super potent steroid cream or ointment for stubborn or severe cases. In addition to the prevention guidelines, the following home-treatment suggestions may help make you comfortable if you are bothered with dry skin.įor very dry hands, try this for a night:Īpply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and wear thin cotton gloves to bed. Look for a lip balm with an SPF of 15 such as Vaseline Chapstick to help prevent chapped lips.Ĭonsider purchasing a humidifier to keep the humidity in your home higher during the winter.ĭab petroleum jelly on problem areas to seal in moisture and heal very dry skin.Īfter washing your hands, immediately apply hand cream to seal in the moisture. Unscented, fragrance-free lotions such as Nutraderm 30, Lubriderm, Eucerin or Cetaphil can be used.ĭon't forget to protect your lips.
![winter itch winter itch](http://image.slideserve.com/394655/winter-itch-l.jpg)
Use a moisturizing lotion immediately after your bath. Use mild soaps, such as Dove, Basis, Neutrogena, Alpha Keri or Cetaphil, especially under the arms and in the genital area. (Be careful, because bath oil will make the tub slippery.) Baths are much kinder to the skin than showers. They strip the natural oil that helps the skin hold in moisture. The following information may help you to prevent dry skin and itching:Īvoid showers. It's these cold-weather activities, such as taking hotter showers and turning up the heat that can cause dry skin during the winter. In reality, the hot air inside your home or office can do more damage to your skin during the winter than the cold air outside.