Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
We’re in the depth of winter, with cold days and bad weather taking a toll on our well being. This week on Health Watch, we’ve got some winter survival tips. The combination of cold outdoor air and heated indoor air can really irritate your skin.
Dr. Sarah Weitzul, a dermatologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says shorter showers are the key to preventing dry, itchy winter skin. No matter how good the idea of a long, hot shower sounds, a short shower with warm water won’t strip the protective oils from your skin. Pat — don’t rub — your skin dry, leaving some moisture on your skin, and then immediately apply baby oil or moisturizer. The moisturizer helps seal the moisture from your shower into your skin. Keeping your skin moisturized will also help avoid flare-ups of conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/dermatology to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in dermatology.
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January 2009
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