Skin advice
Winter eczema: why it comes back, and how to stay ahead of it
Cold weather and central heating dry out the skin barrier. Three simple steps to start before the first patches appear.
Atopic eczema is not an allergy to the cold. It is a fragile skin barrier that winter puts to the test: the air outside is dry, and heated indoor air is drier still.
What happens in the skin
The outer layer of the skin loses more water than it retains. Irritants get through, inflammation sets in, and itching keeps the cycle going.
Three steps to start in October
- Apply an emollient morning and evening, all over the body, even where there are no patches.
- Take short, lukewarm showers with a soap-free, lipid-enriched cleansing bar.
- Wear cotton next to the skin.
When to see a doctor
- If the patches weep or develop yellow crusts
- If itching is disturbing your sleep
- If your usual creams are no longer enough
Eczema that is well managed before winter needs fewer corticosteroids during the winter.
