{"id":7553,"date":"2025-01-06T21:36:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T21:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kalisfinds.com\/?p=7553"},"modified":"2025-01-06T21:36:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T21:36:33","slug":"itchy-skin-in-winter-causes-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musthavebuys.com\/?p=7553","title":{"rendered":"Itchy skin in winter: Causes and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Itchy skin in winter is usually due to dryness. So, moisturise, use oils, and change your bathing habits to do away with dryness and promote healthy skin in colder months.<\/p>\n

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Winter is already here. That means it is time to create dry indoor heat with less humidity. When you are not indoors, you get exposed to the cool and dry air. Add bathing with hot water to the list, and you get the conditions for dry skin. It is something that is often accompanied by itchiness on different parts of the body. Itchy skin in winter is quite common, particularly in people who already have dry skin or conditions like eczema that leads to dry, itchy and inflamed skin. To keep dry and itchy skin away, you can go for home remedies like taking oatmeal baths, and keeping skin moisturised with coconut oil.<\/p>\n

What are the causes of itchy skin in winter?<\/h2>\n

1. Cold, dry air<\/h3>\n

Sometimes, people experience itchy skin in winter or winter itch, also known as pruritus hiemalis. \u201cIt is a type of skin irritation or inflammation largely due to the stripping impact of cold, dry air,\u201d says dermatologist and cosmetologist Dr Nilofar Diwan Mansuri<\/a>. The cold winter air contains very low humidity, which draws moisture away from the skin. This leads to dehydration of the skin barrier<\/a>, making it dry, tight, and prone to itching.<\/p>\n

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Itchy skin in winter is common. Image courtesy: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Indoor heating<\/h3>\n

Heating systems, while keeping us warm, reduce the moisture content of indoor air, creating a drying environment. This constant exposure depletes the skin of its natural oils, making dryness worse and causing skin irritation. Itch is often produced by environmental stimuli, especially heat, as per research published in the European Journal Of Pain<\/a> in 2015.<\/p>\n

3. Hot showers<\/h3>\n

\u201cHot showers<\/a> feel amazing when it is cold. But they are not good for your skin, as they remove the natural oils that would otherwise safeguard your skin,\u201d says Dr Mansuri. This leaves the skin unprotected against moisture loss, making people more susceptible to dryness.<\/p>\n

4. Harsh soaps<\/h3>\n

Using soaps or cleansers with strong chemicals and fragrances can disrupt the skin\u2019s pH (potential hydrogen) balance. \u201cThese products remove natural lipids, which are natural fats for the skin, further aggravating dryness and causing itchiness,\u201d says cosmetic and aesthetic surgeon Dr Shweta Mishra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5. Underlying conditions<\/h3>\n

Pre-existing skin conditions<\/a>, including eczema that causes skin to become dry, itchy, often worsen in winter. A 2023 study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology<\/a> journal showed that eczema symptoms in participants with this condition worsened in winter and improved in summer. The lack of moisture in the air triggers flare-ups, making the skin more sensitive and itchy.<\/p>\n

Who is at a greater risk of having itchy skin in winter?<\/h2>\n