It's Time To Stop Winter Dry Skin

The winter season is just around the corner.  This can be an extremely stressful time for your skin because of low temperatures and harsh freezing winds outs side, and dry low humidity from the heat inside.  These conditions can cause dry, flaky, chapped and irritated skin as well as dry hair and itchy scalp.  Here are some tips that will help you get through the winter months.

• Get a humidifier.  Most homes and offices have heating systems that dry out the air while keeping us warm.  This can lead to dry skin problems.  A humidifier can help bring back healthy moisture levels.  If you have a forced hot-air system, such as a gas-forced furnace, you may be able to find a humidifier that you can attach to the heating system unit.  This type of humidifier allows moisture to flow into the ducts every time the heat blows and in turn raises the humidity in the entire home.  Also, inexpensive room humidifiers as well as a simple bowl of water will help bring the humidity up in a small room.
• Take warm, not hot, showers.  Even though it may be cold outside, taking a hot showers is one of the worst things you can do for dry skin.  It will only make it feel more dry and itchy.  Hot water also makes your hair look dull and dry.  When you are finished with your shower, do not rub your skin with the towel.  Simply pat it dry.  This will help keep moisture on your skin.

• Use a moisturizer to help heal dry skin and keep it feeling comfortable like Pedifix Mango Magic Foot Lotion.  The best time to apply moisturizer is right after your shower while your skin is still moist.  The moisturizer helps lock in the moisture from your shower and protect your skin in dry conditions.  If you have extreme dry skin, moisturizing once a day may not be enough.  Apply a second application of moisturizer before bedtime.
• Exfoliate at least once a week using a gentle, natural scrub.  This will remove dead skin cells and allow your skin to absorb extra moisture.  It is best to scrub the skin when it is dry.
• Protect your skin from the wind and cold.  Be sure to wear scarves, gloves, hats and hoods.  Also, avoid wet gloves and socks.  These can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores or even a flare-up of eczema.
• Drink plenty of water-this is important no matter what the season.  In the winter, the water you drink contributes valuable moisture to your skin.  If you try drinking six to eight glasses of water a day, you will find your skin isn't nearly as dry as it use to be.
• Don't forget about good nutrition.  A balanced diet with healthy types of oils and fats will help you retain moisture in your skin.  Healthy fats include avocado, flax seed and olive oils, nuts and omega 3 oils.  And make sure you get enough vitamins A (liver, cheese, eggs, cold water fish, carrots, red peppers, mango, melon and apricots), C ( parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, bell pepper, oranges, lemons, and Brussels sprouts) and E ( olive, soya, and corn oils, nuts seeds and wheat germ) which are powerful antioxidants that help fight free radicals.

To find out more information on dry, itchy skin or any other foot problems you may have, call Dr. Vail to set up an appointment (419-423-1888) or visit our website at:  www.vailfoot.com.