Now Offering Free Orthodontic Consultations!
Many people dread winter because of the cold temps and the shorter, grayer days, but there’s a certain segment not so keen on winter because eczema tends to flare up.
Eczema in the form of atopic dermatitis is incredibly common. The condition affects about 16.5 million adults in the United States, as well as nearly 10 million kids.
If you or a family member falls into this group, our multi-disciplinary team here at LaSante Health Center has pulled together some strategies for managing this inflammatory skin condition this winter.
With eczema, your skin, which is the largest organ in the human body, can become uncomfortably dry and itchy. Since winter leans more toward drier conditions, it’s very important that you stay one step ahead of this dry season through moisturization.
To protect your skin against losing moisture, we recommend that you use an oil-based moisturizer that’s free of added ingredients, such as fragrances.
We want you to apply moisturizer to your skin at least twice a day — once in the morning and once before bed. We also recommend putting on moisturizer after your bath or shower to lock in the moisture.
And we suggest you slather the moisturizer on exposed areas (think cheeks and hands) before you head outdoors in the cold.
When you heat your home during the winter, the air can turn very dry. So we strongly recommend that anyone with eczema outfit their home with humidifiers that introduce some much-needed moisture to the air (and to your skin).
We know that wool is great for keeping warm, but it’s not all that friendly to skin. So if you or a family member struggles with eczema, we suggest that your wardrobe lean heavily toward cotton and more breathable fabrics.
We’ve been discussing ways to keep your skin barrier well moisturized and protected when you have eczema, so it may seem like additional moisture is always a good thing. Not so.
If you go out and sweat in your clothes, swap them out for dry clothes as soon as you can. Lingering in sweaty, damp clothes can make eczema flare.
Before winter gets into full swing, we suggest you come see us so we can make sure your eczema toolkit is complete. For example, are you using the right moisturizers? Do you have a topical steroid cream to take care of flare-ups? Do you know your eczema triggers?
We can go over all of this when you come in so you’re prepared for any winter eczema issues.
To set up a visit with one of our dermatology team members to go over your winter eczema plan, please book an appointment online or call us at our Brooklyn, New York, clinic at 718-313-3476. We also welcome walk-ins during our hours of operation.
Our team proudly serves the Flatbush and East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Little Haiti, Little Caribbean, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens communities.
