Tips for Treating Winter’s Dry Skin

Newswise — Cold, wintry weather can also mean dry, itchy skin. Amy Theos, M.D., a UAB dermatologist, has these tips for avoiding flaky, snaky skin: Avoid extremely hot showers and use a minimal amount of a mild soap. "If your skin is really dry, you can try only washing parts of your body that need it, like your armpits and groin areas. Use a cream-based moisturizer like Cetaphil or an equivalent drugstore brand and moisturize while your skin is still damp. We like to tell people to moisturize within three minutes of getting out of the shower or bath." Theos says if redness or persistent itching occurs, a dermatologist can help treat extreme dry skin with a prescription cortisone cream.