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Key Takeaways
- Cold weather can cause dry, red, and scaly skin. Small cracks and bleeding can occur.
- Use a thick moisturizer often to keep your skin from getting dry in the winter.
- Avoid hot showers and try to limit them to five minutes to protect your skin.
Winter itch, also known as pruritus hiemalis, is a type of dermatitis (skin irritation or inflammation) brought on by cold weather and irritated by other factors. You may have experienced winter itch in the past if you noticed dry, red, scaly skin after being out in the cold. Small cracks in the skin and bleeding can also occur.
Fortunately, winter itch can be prevented or at least treated in those who are at higher risk. Frequent and aggressive moisturizing can help, as can a humidifier, lukewarm water, and more.
This article discusses the symptoms and causes of winter itch, as well as how to treat and prevent it.
Verywell / Dennis Madamba
Symptoms of Winter Itch
Winter itch, occasionally called winter rash, is not an actual rash. It occurs when cold, dry air removes moisture from your skin.
Skin with winter itch usually looks healthy but feels slightly dry. This condition typically arises in the fall and winter but tends to improve in the summer.
Winter itch can affect any body part, but it is most common on the legs. Typical areas include the inner thighs, above and behind the knees, calves, and around the ankles. It generally does not affect the hands, feet, face, or scalp.
Common symptoms of winter itch are:
- Dryness
- Redness
- Scaling
- Itching
- Small skin cracks
- Bleeding
Risk Factors for Winter Itch
Winter itch can affect anyone, but some people have a higher risk. If you have sensitive skin, using extra moisturizer during the cold months can help protect your skin.
Age
As people age, their skin tends to thin and dry out, making them more susceptible to winter itch. Cold air with low humidity, common in winter, can further dry out the skin, especially in older adults.
Pre-Existing Dry Skin
People with dry skin are more likely to develop winter itch. Conditions like eczema and psoriasis can worsen with cold, dry air. It’s important to consult a dermatologist for advice on protecting your skin and managing flare-ups during winter.
Causes of Winter Itch
The exact cause of winter itch remains unknown, but it is triggered by cold, dry air. While weather is often the primary factor, other elements can increase your skin’s vulnerability to winter itch.
Weather
Cold weather can dry out your skin because the air lacks moisture. This dryness removes moisture from the top layers of your skin. You may also experience winter itch during warmer months if you spend significant time indoors. The air from an air conditioner can be even drier than winter air, causing more skin dryness and irritation.
Moisture
After spending time outdoors in freezing temperatures, nothing sounds better than coming home to a long, hot shower. Unfortunately, that hot water will leave your skin more irritated than before. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, causing dryness and redness. This is why it’s so helpful to apply a moisturizer after showering or washing your hands. Your skin is especially dry and needs to have that moisture replenished.
Chemicals
Exposure to chemicals can also contribute to dry skin in the winter months. The dyes and fragrances in certain soaps can irritate sensitive skin and strip moisture from your skin, especially if the soap is not thoroughly rinsed off.
It is also possible to have an allergic or chemical reaction to scented laundry soaps and fabric softeners that can remain in pillowcases, sheets, and clothing.
The chlorine in swimming pools is another chemical that dries out the skin.
Eat Your Way to Healthier Skin
One simple way to support your skin during the winter is by eating a healthy diet. What we eat affects the makeup of our skin cells, and the more nutritious foods we eat, the better they function. To fight dry winter skin, keep a water bottle with you at all times. When you are well hydrated, your skin has access to more of the moisture it needs. Incorporate some water-rich foods into your diet like:
- Cucumbers
- Watermelon
- Celery
- Low-sodium soup broth
Next, add more foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Examples include fish, flaxseed, and walnuts. Omega-3 fats help cells hold onto moisture. Adding protein to your diet will help damaged cells repair themselves; try fish, poultry, lentils, and low-fat dairy. Finally, vitamins A, C, and E are all known to reduce inflammation in the body, helping to ease pain and redness in the skin. Reach for fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds for better skin.
Diagnosis
A dry skin rash can sometimes be mistaken for other skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis. To know if it’s winter itch, pay careful attention to when it started and what makes it worse. If you see a dermatologist, they will take a detailed history to determine if the cold, dry air is to blame for your symptoms.
Prevention
Preventing winter itch involves helping your skin retain as much moisture as possible. Try these strategies to retain moisture:
- Apply a thick moisturizer frequently throughout the day. Moisturize after showering.
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom at night.
- Cover your skin when exposed to cold air.
- Avoid scalding hot water in the shower.
- Try to limit showers to five minutes or less.
- After getting out of the shower, gently pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it with the towel.
The Wrong Treatment Can Make It Worse
Many over-the-counter products and natural remedies for winter itch may sound safe to try, but they could leave your skin more irritated. Rubbing alcohol and witch hazel both give the appearance of moisturized skin when first applied, but quickly dry out your skin when they dry. Avoid these home remedies, and talk with your dermatologist if you’re having trouble getting your winter itch under control.
Treating Winter Itch
Try these treatment options for winter itch:
- Bathe in warm water before sleep. Some people report a benefit from the addition of sodium bicarbonate to the water (1/4 cup of baking soda swished around in a full bath).
- Moisturizing creams are the mainstay of treatment. Apply one after bathing and whenever the skin feels itchy or dry.
- Wear lightweight clothing such as silk, linen, and muslin.
- Avoid irritating fabrics like flannel and wool, which can exacerbate symptoms of winter itch.
- Use topical corticosteroids to treat secondary dermatitis.
- Try capsaicin cream, which can be useful for localized areas of persistent itch.
The best lotion for dry skin may not be a lotion at all. Ointments, oils, and creams can be more effective and less irritating than lotions. Examples include shea butter, petroleum jelly, lanolin, jojoba oil, and mineral oil.
It’s best to avoid over-the-counter itch-suppressing creams, though they sound helpful. They are often made with chemicals that could make winter itch worse.
Moisturize Often
The best way to both treat and prevent winter itch is to moisturize your skin frequently. Cold, dry air constantly pulls moisture out of your skin, so the goal is to outpace that drying process with added moisture from lotions and creams.
Opt for a thick cream, ointment, or oil without added fragrances, since moisturizers with strong fragrances could be irritating to sensitive skin. If you are spending time outdoors, keep a small tube of moisturizer with you.
Outcome
Winter itch received its name because it usually only occurs in the winter months. Once the weather starts to warm up and the air becomes a bit more humid, your skin should return to normal. You may experience a single bout of winter itch, or it could last all winter.
Winter itch has a high rate of recurrence because winter comes around every year. While some people will only experience it once or twice in their lives, others will need to address it every year.
As soon as the weather starts to cool, start moisturizing regularly. Starting a regular lotion or cream regimen before your skin shows signs of winter itch can help prevent or minimize dryness and irritation.
Complications of Winter Itch
Winter itch is uncomfortable on its own, but can also lead to other problems. The dry skin that results from this condition is often very itchy, which can lead to scratching. If you find yourself scratching your dry skin, you’ll be more at risk for bleeding and infection.
While dry winter itch is frustrating on its own, it can also exacerbate underlying conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, involves patches of red, scaly, itchy skin. It is usually caused by sensitive skin and can flare up when exposed to cold, dry air. Psoriasis is an immune condition characterized by thick patches of itchy, silvery, dry skin. Exposure to the cold can worsen the symptoms.