How to Prevent Winter Eczema Flare-Ups: 7 Tips to Avoid Cold Weather Irritation

Winter, with its cold, dry air, is commonly cited as the worst season for eczema flare-ups. It takes careful management to handle flare-ups, including awareness of your triggers and finding the right treatment methods. Here are ways to keep your skin healthy and avoid eczema flareups this winter!

1. Moisturize Regularly

This is important every season for managing eczema, but winter weather can dry your skin before you realize it. Winter air lacks humidity, meaning the air is drier and your skin evaporates more quickly. The warmer temperatures achieved with indoor heating also dry out your skin.

Make sure you moisturize regularly, using a moisturize that contains ceramides. These lipids are naturally found in your skin and help maintain your hydration and your skin barrier, which prevents irritants from entering. They're also found in reduced amounts during dry seasons, so make sure you counter the dry, cool air by moisturizing right after you're done showering.

2.Use a Humidifier

You'll probably be indoors a lot during the winter, thanks to cold temperatures and inclement weather. You might consider buying a humidifier to counteract the cold, dry air that can impede your skin's ability to absorb moisture.

3. Wear Comfortable Clothes

Warmer clothing is a must for winter, but choosing the wrong sweater or jacket can mean overheating or rough, irritating fabrics. Synthetic fabrics with limited breathability like nylon, polyester, and rayon can cause overheating and sweating, which can trigger an eczema flare-up. Light, natural fabrics are your best option, especially in loose-fitting cuts. Cotton, especially 100% with no synthetics blended in, is the most popular choice, but other natural fabrics like silk, hemp, cashmere, and linen are viable alternatives.

If you need heavier, warmer fabrics, try layering! Wear a 100% cotton shirt underneath that wool sweater, or cotton gloves beneath winter gloves on those colder days. Just make sure you're regulating your temperature by taking off layers as necessary and staying hydrated; overheating can trigger flares too, especially if you begin to sweat.

4. Guard Against Indoor Allergens

Indoor air is full of potential irritants, like dust, pet dander, and other allergens. If you're spending a lot of time in your house this winter, you might be surrounded by allergens like this. Consider getting a HEPA purifier with a carbon filter in your home or workspace to reduce the concentration of irritants in the air, especially if you spend a lot of time in one room.

To further safeguard your home against allergens, you may want to:

• Keep pets out of your bedroom and home office.
• Put special covers on mattresses and pillows that guard against dust mites.
• Remove carpeting from your home.
• Wash clothes and bedding regularly with a mild, unscented detergent (you may also want to consider an extra rinse cycle to remove any soap residue).

5. Don't Overheat

When the weather gets colder, it's tempting to turn up the heat, but sweating is a major eczema trigger. Keep your home temperature at a reasonable level, make sure to drink plenty of water, remove clothing layers when necessary, and take tepid, rather than hot, showers.

6. Mountain Ice Eczema Cream

Mountain Ice Eczema Cream is an advanced formula that hydrates, restores, and rebalances the lipid layer of the skin. These epidermal lipids play an essential role in the skin's barrier, retaining moisture and protecting against dryness and inflammation. Our formula contains a unique lipid concentrate that moisturizes the skin while repairing the damage caused by harmful irritants. The skin's barrier is vital for healthy skin. Mountain Ice Eczema Cream replenishes and strengthens that barrier.

7. A Smart Skin Care Routine to Manage Eczema

Knowing what skin care products improve your eczema and which ones can irritate your sensitive skin is important  Mountainside Medical Equipment has a wide variety of skin care products for all complexions. Visit our Skin Care product collection and our collection of Eczema Creams and Lotions for the most effective skin care products at the best prices!