If people suffer from neurodermatitis, especially the cold season is often very exhausting and sometimes also agonizing: from itching to redness to painful eczema, the complaints of people with sensitive skin range. The dry air from the heating system and the cold wind outside make skin that is already prone to dryness even more susceptible to episodes of neurodermatitis – this can result in sweating or even rashes. However, there are definitely measures to counteract this in order to not suffer quite so much from the winter air. Here are the best tips for surviving the cold season well with atopic dermatitis.
Neurodermatitis in winter – it all depends on the right care
The basic rule in winter is: cream, cream, cream! Not only for people suffering from neurodermatitis, this aspect is particularly important, but also for everyone else. The air in winter is significantly drier than in the other seasons and must therefore be equipped with a special protective barrier. Valuable additives such as D-panthenol or also urea are good suppliers of important lipids in creams and lotions, which should be part of the basic daily care. People with sensitive skin will know the problem that even very clear water can cause slight drying. Therefore, make sure to use moisturizing products if possible. It is not for nothing that people with neurodermatitis appreciate going to warmer regions – i.e. the south – during the cold season. The humidity there acts like a cure for stressed skin. The same applies to the healthy stimulating climate that can be enjoyed at the North Sea or Baltic Sea, for example, as well as in higher mountain regions. Although the humidity there is very low, the special stimulating climate is extremely good for the circulation and therefore ideal for giving your skin a short break in winter. The skin surface appears smoother, more relaxed and rosy. Eczema or rashes also occur much less frequently then.
Strengthen the protective barrier of the skin with the right measures
If you place a lot of value on your skin care, you should protect yourself from ice and cold wind, especially in winter – this reduces the risk of getting a neurodermatitis flare-up. So take enough time to provide the skin with ample moisture and essential fats twice a day, ideally in the morning after getting up and in the evening before going to bed. For this purpose, doctors recommend creams that are specially designed for neurodermatitis patients. They contain numerous effective ingredients that the skin cannot produce itself in winter and therefore urgently needs from the outside. These include the protein filaggrin, which provides moisture, and horn lipids such as ceramides. After the first few days, you will quickly notice that your skin is less taut, itches less often and can better withstand irritation from scratchy scarves or turtlenecks. As a general rule, all areas of skin that are constantly exposed to the elements in winter require additional protection in the form of skin care with a high oil content. If you suffer from weeping rashes or reddened eczema, it can also help to take a warming bath twice a week enriched with a bath additive containing tanning agents. This has a soothing effect on the skin and ensures that the painful itching is stilled.
The right clothing can help with atopic dermatitis in winter
Of course, in sub-zero temperatures, it is hard to avoid going through a direct change from a cold environment to a warm building and back several times a day. Especially the skin is strained by it and then often reacts with sweating or freezing. This can be remedied somewhat with the right clothing. Instead of a thick jacket, it is better to choose the classic layered look, where you wear several thin garments on top of each other. This way, you can take off layers that are too warm according to the ambient temperature and then slip them on again when it’s time to head back out into the cold – a tip that can also be a big help to parents of toddlers and infants. Quite a few parents fear that their child might freeze and therefore put on clothes that are far too warm. However, when you bring your offspring back into the warm, the thick wool sweater quickly feels very uncomfortable – and for children’s sensitive skin in particular, this means massive stress.It is best if the clothing is made of breathable, cuddly and skin-friendly material – such as cotton, fleece, jersey or even viscose. This applies not only to tops and pants, but also to stockings, hats and scarves.
Provide higher humidity at home
The fact that heaters can strongly dry out the air in the room and thus also stress the skin is no secret. However, this can be remedied well with a few tricks: A small bowl of water positioned on the radiator or a humidifier are ideal for increasing the humidity – this also benefits the respiratory tract. However, more moisture for the skin also comes from within: Make sure to drink enough. You should drink at least two liters a day, ideally water and unsweetened teas. Coffee and black tea, on the other hand, should be consumed in moderation, as they tend to draw even more water from the body. When it comes to nutrition, fish with valuable omega-3 fatty acids, dairy products and whole grain products are a good choice. And, focus primarily on fresh fruits and vegetables that contain a high percentage of water.
Through the winter without cortisone and Co. – more tips for care.
If it should come despite all care nevertheless once to an attack, then most neurodermatitis patients use a cortisone-containing cream or directly a cortisone preparation. For some years now, however, there have also been creams without cortisone, known as calcineurin inhibitors, which can help very quickly against eczema and itchy rashes. If you use these medications early and regularly, you will most likely not have to worry much about your skin – it is best to contact your family doctor directly for this. Regular face and body care is essential for neurodermatitis sufferers. However, itching time and dry heat can at least be contained well enough with the tips mentioned here so that you do not have to suffer too much from the discomfort in winter. It is important to treat the skin appropriately several times a day and always check whether it needs more moisture. Among other things, phytotherapy could also be a solution to get severe eczema or painful rash under control. Likewise, you should avoid artificial fibers such as polyester as far as possible when it comes to clothing, as these additionally irritate the skin. Daily showering should also always be done with moisturizing shower gels. Also, keep in mind that psychological stress can be an additional factor in atopic dermatitis flare-ups.
When should you go to the doctor?
People suffering from diagnosed atopic dermatitis do not normally need to see a doctor when the season changes. However, if they experience an increase in existing symptoms or if new irregularities develop, a visit to the doctor is indicated. Normally, a regular check of the skin is sufficient. However, if there are changes, a visit to the doctor is advisable even before the next scheduled check-up. It is part of the natural process that the skin feels more brittle and dry in winter. The care of the skin should be optimized as temperatures decrease and adapted to the needs of the organism. Likewise, the garments should be checked for the ingredients of the processing. Unusual perspiration or a strong sensation of cold indicate clothing that is not sufficiently suitable. This can be done by anyone affected without the assistance of a doctor. A visit to the doctor is only necessary if, despite all the changes made, there is no improvement or the discomfort increases. If people who have not yet been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis suffer from persistent abnormalities in their skin condition, they should go to a doctor for an examination. In case of itching, an inner restlessness or discolorations on the skin, a doctor is needed. Open wounds or an increase in skin changes need to be examined and treated.
Outlook and prognosis
Atopic dermatitis is one of the chronic health conditions. Therefore, according to current medical knowledge, there is no cure for this skin disease. Under favorable conditions, a considerable improvement of the symptoms is achieved. Nevertheless, a relapse or a new development of complaints can occur at any time. The further course of the disease is almost always dependent on the cooperation of the patient.Doctors and physicians, especially in winter, focus on providing the best possible care for the patient’s skin. They provide special medications that are always up to date with the latest scientific findings and are designed to care for the skin. In addition, self-help measures or alternative healing methods can be used for a positive course of the disease. Different home remedies, the optimization of the cosmetic articles used as well as a drug therapy have proven themselves. The interaction of the different methods with the cooperation of the patient show so far the best results. Without the daily self-responsible care of the skin with the prescribed or used preparations, the general health condition worsens. There is an increase in complaints and the well-being decreases. Positive developments can also be documented if psychotherapy is used concomitantly. Often, mental stresses are present, which, if overcome, also result in a physical improvement.
Follow-up
As temperatures drop in winter, many people’s skin begins to itch uncomfortably again. Since atopic dermatitis is often accompanied by itching, dryness and feelings of tightness in those affected, the winter months cause further problems. The dry heating air and cool outside temperatures further irritate the skin. That is why it is important to adequately protect atopic dermatitis-affected skin. The right creams are a must. The rule of thumb is: wet on wet, greasy on dry. This means that weeping atopic dermatitis should be treated with creams containing water. Dry, cracked skin should be greased with ointments. The exposed skin of the face should not be left out, especially in the winter months. Sufficient, rich care protects against new outbreaks. The choice of clothing also plays a decisive role. Wool or synthetic fibers can additionally chafe the skin. Despite everything, nutrition is also crucial in winter: fatty, sugary and often industrially processed meals can trigger further flare-ups. Fresh food with vegetables and healthy fats, on the other hand, can help improve the skin. In winter, relaxing baths with solutions of salt and oil are also a good option. This time-honored household remedy quickly alleviates symptoms. On the other hand, those affected should also refrain from sauna sessions in winter, because sweating can bring on more eczema, and excessive hot showers.
Medicinal plants can also be a solution
Classical conventional medicine is not the only way to combat atopic dermatitis in winter: There are also numerous remedies in nature that you can try. For example, naturopathic doctors recommend herbs such as chamomile flowers, oak bark extract, witch hazel leaves, and oat straw extract, among others, to relieve redness or weeping rashes. For more severe eczema, on the other hand, borage seed oil, balloon vine, evening primrose oil or even bittersweet stem are recommended.