Dry skin in the winter article - Naturopathic Doctor Justin Gallant.
Most of us dread the winter, partly due to being so itchy. Whatever heating mechanism we use, whether it’s a furnace, radiator, fire place or space heaters, they warm the air up by drying up the water molecules in the air. This means humidity is decreased. The reason we get so itchy is because the water molecules on our skin, in our eyes, our nasal passages and sinuses get dried up as well. This can lead to itchy skin, dandruff, dry eyes, raw bloody noses and sinus pain. Since the humidity is low and you don't drink liquids during your sleep, it's difficult to keep our skin moist.
For information on what to do about dry itchy skin please click on the read more button below.
For information on what to do about dry itchy skin please click on the read more button below.
What to do for dry skin in the winter
- The number one strategy I recommend is getting a misting humidifier in the bedroom. Once you do that, say goodbye to those itchy sides and night-time nosebleeds. Waking up will be much easier too since having dry eyes in the morning makes us feel much more tired. If you're looking for a great misting humidifier click on my affiliate links below according to your country. If you purchase through my link I will get a percentage with no extra cost to you!
2. Another strategy is to use coconut oil as moisturizer. I get my patients to stay away from synthetic moisturizers since most of them contain xenoestrogens, carcinogens and other chemicals that our body can’t break down like benzene. We absorb quite a bit through our skin so we have to watch what were slathering on.
3. It’s also important to stay hydrated, something we do much more in the summer compared to the winter.
4. We should also incorporate healthy oils like fish oil, coconut oil and olive oil into our everyday life. Just be sure to consult with a naturopath before you start taking oils daily since some of them may interact with medications or certain health conditions.
5. Lastly, be sure to avoid hand soaps and dish soaps with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), or anything of the like. This is a foaming agent used in cleaning products which is also a chemical irritant. If your knuckles get extremely dry and red during the winter you're going to want to make this a priority. Some will say SLS-free soap right on them but otherwise just check the label. It's usually the 2nd ingredient in soaps. If you have chronic dry skin or itchy skin it’s important to consult with your medical or naturopathic doctor to ensure that you don’t have an underlying condition which could be causing your dry or itchy skin. Some conditions that can cause dry, itchy skin are hypothyroidism, liver disease, kidney disease, fungus, diabetes, nutrient deficiencies, estrogen deficiency, Sjogren’s syndrome, and many others.
Medical terms you probably didn’t know:
1) Xeroderma = dry skin
2) Xerophthalmia = dry eyes
3) Pruritus = severe itching
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments feel free to write below!
Please share this if you feel like others will learn from it as well.
Dr. Justin Gallant ND
3. It’s also important to stay hydrated, something we do much more in the summer compared to the winter.
4. We should also incorporate healthy oils like fish oil, coconut oil and olive oil into our everyday life. Just be sure to consult with a naturopath before you start taking oils daily since some of them may interact with medications or certain health conditions.
5. Lastly, be sure to avoid hand soaps and dish soaps with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), or anything of the like. This is a foaming agent used in cleaning products which is also a chemical irritant. If your knuckles get extremely dry and red during the winter you're going to want to make this a priority. Some will say SLS-free soap right on them but otherwise just check the label. It's usually the 2nd ingredient in soaps. If you have chronic dry skin or itchy skin it’s important to consult with your medical or naturopathic doctor to ensure that you don’t have an underlying condition which could be causing your dry or itchy skin. Some conditions that can cause dry, itchy skin are hypothyroidism, liver disease, kidney disease, fungus, diabetes, nutrient deficiencies, estrogen deficiency, Sjogren’s syndrome, and many others.
Medical terms you probably didn’t know:
1) Xeroderma = dry skin
2) Xerophthalmia = dry eyes
3) Pruritus = severe itching
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments feel free to write below!
Please share this if you feel like others will learn from it as well.
Dr. Justin Gallant ND
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