Dealing with Eczema
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As the winter season is approaching us, you may notice a change in your skin particularly if you suffer from eczema. In the UK eczema affects 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults. With the change of temperature the air becomes drier which can cause your skin to be dry, cracked, sore and itchy. You may become aware of this more on your hands and face but can be all over your body.
To avoid this, we have some tips that may help you through the winter;
- Moisturise your skin often – although this seems the most obvious thing to do, you may want to opt for a much heavier moisturiser in winter like shea butter.
- Wrap up warm – this will help to keep you warm but also protects your skin from the harsh cold weather conditions. Just make sure you do not get too hot as sweating can irritate your skin too.
- Avoid rapid change in temperature – you may want to come home to a warm house after finishing work, but the change in drastic temperature may cause your skin to dry out. A suitable room temperature in winter would be between 19 and 21 degrees.
- Get some Vitamin D in – as the clocks have gone back, we only get an average of 6 hours of sunlight per day compared to 16 hours in the summer. There are studies that show Vitamin D helps improve your skin. You can get your intake of Vitamin D from eating oily fish, red meat and eggs, and there are supplements that can be taken too.
- Use prescribed ointments – if you feel that you skin is still suffering, please see your doctor as they may be able to suggest a prescribed ointment suitable for you.
During winter, we are more susceptible to suffering from a cold and flu virus. You may not be aware that there is a rise in Staphylococcus aureus (‘Staph’). Staph is a bacterium that lives on our skin and in our nose. If you suffer from eczema, you have more staph than someone who does not suffer from eczema. Secondary transmission of staph can lead to your eczema becoming infected. As such it is always best to have tissues to hand with suffering from a cold, and to make sure you wash your hands after coughing and sneezing.
We hope these tips help your skin though the winter season.
