Colder temperatures, exposure to wind, and hot baths or showers can aggravate dry, irritated, and itchy skin, especially for those with eczema and other skin conditions. Using a gentle cream after a bath or shower helps to create an effective moisture barrier against flare-ups
Although these tips are from the National Eczema Association, they really work for anyone wishing for an itch-free winter:
- Take a bath or shower in warm, not hot, water for 10 to 15 minutes. Baking soda or oatmeal can be added to bathwater to soothe skin.
- Use a cleansing bar or wash (no soap) and avoid scrubbing your skin with a washcloth. The water will help to remove allergens and dry, flaky skin and soften the skin to better absorb moisturizer.
- Gently pat the skin with a towel if needed. While skin is still wet – within three minutes – liberally apply a moisturizing cream to create a moisture barrier. Water can dry, rather than hydrate, the skin without this step. (For more tips, see the NEA’s web site.)
The association’s blog also reports that regularly using moisturizer for infants can help protect them against developing eczema.
“Even if eczema eventually develops, a delay of months or years may mean the skin condition will be less severe than it would have been without moisturizing,” researchers found.
BodyVerde’s first product, Fresh Skin Rx, was created as an eczema skin treatment, an alternative to help reduce the need for steroid-based medications.
But customers have found that Fresh Skin also offers natural itch relief for more than just eczema. It has helped soothe itchy bug bites, poison ivy, allergy-related rashes, fungal infections, and dry skin – and it’s gentle enough even for little ones.
Image: haroni kim / Flickr
