DR SARAH JARVIS IS UNABLE TO OFFER INDIVIDUAL ADVICE OR SEE INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS. ALL HEALTH CONTENT IN MY WEEKLY IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. PLEASE SEEK HELP FROM YOUR OWN GP IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL PROBLEM. IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
Winter is well and truly upon us, and unless you’re going on a foreign break, it will be a few months before you feel the sun on your skin again.
But you shouldn’t ignore your skin just because you’re covering up. In fact, winter can wreak havoc with your skin, leading to itching, soreness and even infections. So, there’s even more reason than in summer to give it some regular tender loving care.
Cold air and harsh wind can strip moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling dry and chapped. But winter can also cause problems for the parts of your skin that aren’t exposed to the elements.
Central heating dries out the air, and the combination of low humidity and irritation from woollen clothes next to your skin can also lead to redness, irritation and itching.
Strangely, water can actually dry out your skin by stripping the natural oils.
Showers are better than long baths, but it’s still worth considering a soap substitute rather than soap, which can also dry your skin.
A non-scented soap substitute like aqueous cream, available from your pharmacist, won’t irritate sensitive skin, either.
When you get out of the shower or bath, apply a moisturising cream while your skin is still just damp.
Moisturisers help lock moisture inside your skin as well as replacing moisture you’ve lost.
However, they only work for a few hours so you should ideally use them 2-3 times a day.
At night, a heavier skin emollient (your pharmacist can advise) will work for longer, replenishing skin moisture.
These thicker emollients can make your skin feel slippery, so are best applied when you’ve finished getting ready for bed.
Wool can irritate sensitive skin and synthetic materials make it hard for the skin to breathe, leaving it sweaty.
To keep warm in winter, wear layers with breathable fabrics like cotton next to your skin.
Your lower legs and ankles may be prone to varicose eczema – which affects women more often than men – as you get older. Having varicose veins, being overweight or having had a clot on the leg (a deep vein thrombosis) makes you more prone. It’s caused b
