Weathering Winter Skin

By Edwin Hart III, DPM

Winter brings many concerns for us—ice, snow, dropping temperatures, the rising cost of fuel oil and gas, and for podiatrist physicians it’s dry, cracked skin of the lower extremity. This is the most common problem I hear about from my patients during the winter months. They want to know why they have this, and of course how to get rid of it. First, the causes can be linked to the period of time we start using our heating systems in our homes, usually from late October through April. Very often these heating systems dry things out in our home and decrease the humidity in the air. Everything becomes parched, especially our skin. Cold weather also has the same effect by drying out exposed or unprotected skin. The results can range from scaly patches, chapped hands, open cracks, or so called Winter Eczema. Podiatrists across the Northeast are asked every day of the week what can be done with this?

Here are a few tips to control and help eliminate this problem:

1. Protect skin exposed to the air when outside in the elements, wear a hat and gloves (you know like your mother always told you to do).
2. Look at the type of heating system you have: If you have forced hot air, the biggest offender evaporating moisture out of our homes, consider a humidifier or place open pans of water around the room. This will help to put water back into the air and reduce dehydration.
3. After a bath or shower, pat yourself dry then apply a moisturizer on the troubled spots.
    

Finally, if you have cracks that are open or won't heal, or dry skin that is not improving, schedule a visit to your local Podiatrist. There may be other issues that need to be treated. Remember if you are a diabetic, these are issues that cannot wait and need prompt attention, as these defects in the skin can become the portal of entry for infection. Good luck, and see you again in the spring when I'll talk to you about a spring tune up for your feet!
 

Edwin S. Hart, III, DPM, is currently the President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association, and practices in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He also serves on the Goldfarb Foundation Board as Vice President. More information can be found about Dr. Hart and his practice at www.footmed.com.