What Causes Itchy Skin During Winter?
Sep 29, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Itchy skin during winter may be related to dry air, hot showers, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, psoriasis, and other factors. It is recommended to seek treatment under the guidance of a doctor, including general management and medication. In daily life, using moisturizers or emollients to hydrate the skin, maintaining appropriate indoor humidity, avoiding excessive cleansing, and refraining from using harsh or irritating skincare products are beneficial.
In general, skin itching during winter may be related to factors such as dry air, hot showers, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, psoriasis, and others. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive treatments such as general management and medication under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Dry Air
During winter, low humidity causes skin moisture to evaporate easily. This loss of surface moisture leads to dryness and thinning of the stratum corneum, impairing the skin’s barrier function and making it more susceptible to external irritants, thus triggering itching. Maintaining appropriate indoor humidity and avoiding excessive cleansing can help.
2. Hot Showers
Taking hot showers strips away the natural oils on the skin surface, damaging its ability to retain moisture and leading to dryness and itching. Reduce the frequency and duration of hot showers; use lukewarm water instead, and immediately apply a moisturizing lotion after bathing to prevent excessive water evaporation.
3. Atopic Dermatitis
Seasonal changes, temperature fluctuations, and emotional stress may trigger or worsen atopic dermatitis. The dry winter environment accelerates skin moisture loss, causing inflammatory reactions and resulting in itching. Symptoms often include skin redness, flaking, and intensified itching at night. Under medical supervision, medications such as prednisone acetate tablets, montelukast sodium chewable tablets, and chlorpheniramine maleate tablets may be used for treatment.
4. Urticaria
Cold stimulation may induce urticaria by causing skin vasoconstriction and the release of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, leading to skin inflammation and itching. Common symptoms include skin itching and raised, hives-like rashes. Medications such as cetirizine tablets, loratadine tablets, and dexamethasone tablets may be used under medical guidance.
5. Psoriasis
Infections, stress, obesity, smoking, skin injuries, certain medications, and cold, dry weather may trigger psoriasis. A dry environment may promote inflammatory responses and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, leading to itching and skin lesions. Symptoms may include red patches, silvery-white scales, and joint pain. Under a doctor’s direction, treatments may include halometasone cream, mometasone furoate cream, and tretinoin cream.
In daily life, using moisturizers and body lotions to keep the skin hydrated, maintaining proper indoor humidity, and avoiding harsh skincare products can help manage and prevent winter-related skin itching.
