Anyone who suffers from eczema knows this from personal experience: as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, eczema symptoms often flare up. Why exactly does this happen, and what can you do to minimize your discomfort? Read here how to get through the winter better.
Temperature and humidity
Winter is cold. You probably already knew this, but what's important to know is that cold air is drier than warm air. And we're talking about outdoor air. Warm outdoor air has a higher humidity than cold outdoor air. The opposite is true for warm indoor air heated by a heater: it is drier than unheated indoor air.
What does all this have to do with eczema? Both cold (outdoor air with low humidity) and dry air (indoor air heated by a heater) dry out your skin. Dry skin is more vulnerable, making eczema symptoms more likely to develop.
Your winter behavior
Shower
Not only does the outside world change in winter, you also behave differently than in summer. You turn up the heat in the shower, your body warms up and becomes much warmer than the outside air, and as soon as you step out of the shower, moisture evaporates from your skin. Your skin often feels dry and tight, which can lead to itching. Of course, no one wants to take cold showers in winter. But lowering the shower temperature slightly in winter can have a positive effect on your eczema. And to minimize the difference between the shower temperature and the outside air, a nice warm bathrobe after showering can be a solution.
The heating
In the Northern European climate, it's not wise to leave the heating off in winter. And definitely don't do it, because those who are always cold have low immunity and are more susceptible to illnesses, including eczema outbreaks. So, just turn the heating on in winter. It doesn't have to be 25 degrees Celsius in your house, of course; a temperature between 19 and 20 degrees Celsius is enough. This will prevent your skin from drying out too much. You can also place a few bowls of water on or next to the heater. The water will evaporate, and the humidity in your home will increase slightly.
Winter clothes
A wool sweater is wonderful in winter! In winter, we naturally love to wear clothes made of materials that keep us warm, such as wool or synthetics like nylon. However, both are bad news for people with eczema. Wool has coarse fibers and often causes itching. Wool often causes irritation, especially in eczema patients. Synthetic fabrics seal off the skin, creating a layer of heat between the synthetic fabric and the skin. This heat has nowhere to escape, causing the skin to heat up and cause irritation.
Hopefully, the tips above will help you keep your skin moisturized and free of irritation. This will help you get through the winter a little better! And as for skincare: as always, make sure you keep your skin moisturized with a product without irritants, such as Gladskin's eczema products .
