Winter Skin Itch....HELP

The Boys

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Man this is killing me. My skin is so freaking itchy and it seems to happen every winter now. I have good humidity in my home and office and that's not putting a dent into it. Have any of you ever had this problem and if so what works??? I just made an appointment with a dermatologist, hope he can help??
 

MadJack

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i get on my arms and sometimes legs (gets dry and flakey) so i use hand lotion. clears it right up :shrug:
 

Morris

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Noticed the last few days after getting out of the hot tub and then a hot shower that I have been itching too. Just figured it was all the hot water that was drying my skin out. Annoying though I have to admit.

Not to change the subjuct but where do you stay in Playa? Going to the Riu Palace in Feb. We've been 6 times great hidden affordable area.
 

dawgball

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Feeling a little ashy, eh?

15143262_l.jpg
 

pipes3131

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man,, i get that too.. It was a lot worse when I was up north growing up in Chicago.. but better down here in Dallas.. think I got sauriosis,, cream works sometimes.. but only comes out in the winter.. get it on the back of my legs and on my forearms.. sux...:eek: :eek:
 

snoozer

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Boys,
I have the same problem. Weird thing is that I have only had the problem since I moved into my home in berkley. When I lived in Sterling Heights and even in college in ypsi, I never had the problem. I didn't have the problem and now it is almost unbearable at times.

I put lotion on after the shower and it seems to take care of it for a few days. I went to the doctor and that's all they basically said to do. They did give me some prescription cream that lasted a bit longer.

They will tell you do use sensitive skin soap, soap with no smells or extra stuff, change detergents, etc... I have tried it all and none of it works. they will even tell you to take warm showers instead of hot.

We had our furnance changed last year and our humidity is good also, so I am not sure what it causing it. Just yesterday I got a warm air humidifier and I am trying to drink twice as much fluid (water) as before to see if either of those make a difference.

Do you drink pop or coffee? I heard that these can really dehydrate you and your body may just be lacking the necessary fluids
 

redsfann

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Chances are all of you guys' problems is the hardness of your water.

Any of you have a water softener in your house? I'm going to guess no.

Get a water softener and your problems are over.

Short of that, drinking more water/less soda might help...:shrug:
 

Happy Hippo

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Most of the skin products that people use (even lotion) contain sodium laureth sulfate. This is a known skin irritant, and there are also studies that suggest it may cause cancer. There are plenty of natural soap/skin products today that don't contain this dangerous additive. Consider using some safer soap products.

Sodium laureth sulfate effects on sensitive skin:

Products containing these substances can affect those prone to eczema and other irritants. These substances provide a foaming quality to the product, allowing for better distribution of the product while washing hair or skin and while brushing teeth. When rinsed off, the product will have cleaned the area but will have taken moisture from the top layers of skin. In people with sensitive skin (prone to dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis and chemical sensitivity), the drying property of these type of detergents can cause flare-ups of skin conditions or may worsen existing conditions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_laureth_sulfate
 

IntenseOperator

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(not that it would involve anybody in this thread)


also....

drinking alcoholic beverages has a way of drying out the entire body
 

KotysDad

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You're gonna laugh but vinegar will help. Take your run of the mill bottle of distilled white vinegar or red wine vinegar or whatever the missus uses to cook with and put some on a cotton ball and apply it to the itchy areas after you shower. Watch it clear up in a day or two.

I dont think many people realize the medicinal powers of vinegar. You'll be surprised if you research it a bit. Trust me.
 

LetsMakeMoney

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You're gonna laugh but vinegar will help. Take your run of the mill bottle of distilled white vinegar or red wine vinegar or whatever the missus uses to cook with and put some on a cotton ball and apply it to the itchy areas after you shower. Watch it clear up in a day or two.

I dont think many people realize the medicinal powers of vinegar. You'll be surprised if you research it a bit. Trust me.

just don't go out after u've applied it :shrug:
 

Blitz

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How To Relieve and Prevent "Winter Itch"


All winter flakes are not made of snow. Cold weather wreaks havoc on our skin, sometimes making it dry and flaky. Skin dries out if it's deprived of water and this dryness often causes itchiness, resulting in a condition commonly referred to as "winter itch."

"Most of us experience dry and itchy skin from time to time, but you should seek medical attention if discomfort becomes severe," says Dr. Diane Berson, a dermatologist at the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "The best thing you can do to relieve the itch is to moisturize your skin because, unfortunately, you can't do anything about the weather."

"Remember, dry skin is due to lack of water, not oil. Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing or showering to trap water in the skin," notes Dr. Berson.

She suggests the following tips to turn your skin from alligator into suede:

- Moisturize daily. Cream moisturizers are best for normal to dry skin. People with sensitive skin should choose a moisturizer without perfume or lanolin.

- Cleanse your skin, but don't overdo it. It is enough to wash your face, hands, feet, and between the folds of your skin once a day. The trunk, arms, and legs can be rinsed daily, but it is not necessary to use soap or cleanser on these areas everyday. Too much cleansing removes the skin's natural moisturizers.

- Limit the use of hot water and soap. If you have "winter itch," take short lukewarm showers or baths with a non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleanser. Immediately afterward, apply a "water-in-oil" type moisturizer. Gently pat skin dry.

- Humidify. Humidifiers can be beneficial. However, be sure to clean the unit according to the manufacturer's instructions to reduce mold and fungi.

- Protect yourself from the wind. Cover your face and use a petroleum-based balm for your lips.

- Avoid extreme cold. Cold temperatures can cause skin disorders or frostbite in some people. See a doctor immediately if you develop color changes in your hands or feet accompanied by pain or ulceration. If you develop extreme pain followed by loss of sensation in a finger or toe, you may have frostbite.

- Protect your skin from the sun. Winter sun can be as dangerous for the skin as summer sun. It can lead to premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. When outdoors for prolonged periods, use a sunscreen with a sun-protection factor of 15 or greater.

- Exercise. For skin with a healthy glow, 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week is recommended.

- See your dermatologist. If you have persistent dry skin, scaling, itching, skin growths that concern you, or other rashes, see your dermatologist -- not only in winter but throughout the year.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center 525 East 68th Street, Box 144 New York, NY 10021 NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center 627 West 165th Street New York, NY 10032 http://www.nyp.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/32861.php
 

no pepper

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Let me get this straight?buy humidifier, buy water softener and several fifty lb. bags of the pellets. Go to dermatologist, go to organic soap and lotion store (mall?). No lanolin, no additives. And never ever use the sodium laureth.

Cover my face with balm. Only wash my trunk (heh) every other day. Buy lots of vinegar, move to Dallas and don?t drink coffee, soda or beer :mad:. That should cure it. That, or just grit your teeth scratch away with a wire pet brush.
 

gardenweasel

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my hands aren`t just itchy...the skin cracks regularly in winter.....

it`s ridiculous when you have an open wound from calouses cracking open and you have your hands covered in band-aids..

i`ve gone through flexitol hand balm,nexcare,gold bond ultra healing,miracle hand repair and aquaphor(aquaphor works but you have to put it on at night....it`s basically petroleum jelly and you can`t function while wearing it)......what`s bad is,i have to wash my hands alot because i have an open wound or two at any given time.....

it` a pain in the ass...next stop dermatologist...

and btw....no,i haven`t tried cayenne pepper.and yes,feel free to insert obligatory masturbation jokes here.....:D
 
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Dr. Fade

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Chances are all of you guys' problems is the hardness of your water.

Any of you have a water softener in your house? I'm going to guess no.

Get a water softener and your problems are over.

Short of that, drinking more water/less soda might help...:shrug:


You're exactly right. An ex gf had a H2O softener. It almost feels like your showering in baby oil, but it's better than a scorching hard water shower in Jan.
 

MadJack

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Let me get this straight?buy humidifier, buy water softener and several fifty lb. bags of the pellets. Go to dermatologist, go to organic soap and lotion store (mall?). No lanolin, no additives. And never ever use the sodium laureth.

Cover my face with balm. Only wash my trunk (heh) every other day. Buy lots of vinegar, move to Dallas and don?t drink coffee, soda or beer :mad:. That should cure it. That, or just grit your teeth scratch away with a wire pet brush.
:mj07: :mj07:

they make things so simple these days, huh :142smilie
 
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