Feb 7, 2019

Interview Transcript


Interviewer: During the winter, your skin may get a little drier and a little itchier. Dr. McKenzie, why is that?

Dr. McKenzie: Yeah. So as the air temperature drops in winter, the air can actually hold less moisture. As a result, the air starts to draw moisture out of anything it can find, which includes your skin. In individuals who have otherwise normal skin, this can lead to dryness and itching. However, in people who already have a skin disease, such as eczema, this can lead to a worsening of their disease.

Interviewer: And how do you prevent that from happening?

Dr. McKenzie: There are several things that people can do. The first is to start having a good routine in your skin care. So taking short, lukewarm showers removes less moisture from your skin. Following the shower, it's important to use a good moisturizer such as a cream. Creams tend to be better at returning moisture to the skin than lotions. And lastly, using a humidifier in your home can return more moisture to the air and prevent what's taken from your skin.


Sign Up for Weekly Health Updates

Weekly emails of the latest news from The Scope Radio.

For Patients