I’m seeing a lot of searches for “winter skin” and hits to my old post from two years ago in my blog stats. I want to give a little bit of a run down of what I’ve been experiencing this year, as I know that many people have this issue, and hopefully my experience can help someone else. This has been the worst winter for my skin in memory.
I have had the patches of eczema popping up all over my bod since just before Christmas. It started with a large patch on my neck. I have also had patches on my face, scalp, and torso. The worst has been my scalp and under arms.
It has gotten so bad at points, that I have holed up for days at a time, and not left the house. I refused to go to a party last weekend, because I felt like such a mutant.
However, I have to say that I feel it’s getting better. I did some searching on the Internet to try to find solutions, and came across a recommendation of not using soap when bathing, except for arm pits and groins. I have been using this method. Actually, I’ve gone one further, I have only been bathing every other day. I did sponge bath my more high maintenance areas – pits, feet, groin, etc. Also, when I’ve showered, I’ve kept the water at a luke warm temperature.
Additionally, I’m going through a lot of lotion at the moment. I have been moisturizing with Lubriderm for Sensitive Skin every morning and night. At night, I have been applying good ol’ Ponds Cold Cream to my face; I leave it on for a short time, and then wipe away with a tissue. I do not rinse or wash my face at night. In the mornings, I rinse it off, without soap. I have also switched to Avalon Organics Lavender shampoo and conditioner, which is free of sulfates and parabens. I found this shampoo at Trader Joe’s grocery store. I wash my hair only every third or fourth day, but wet it daily. I don’t know if the shampoo is making a difference yet with my scalp. I am not wearing any foundation makeup today, as I found a new patch on my nose last night.
Like I said, it’s gotten better in the last few days. I’m not sure if it’s because of the things I’ve switched or the things I’ve been doing. Perhaps it’s just that the rain we’ve been having is humidifying the air. I know it probably won’t get totally better before spring, and I’ll be an itchy weirdo until then.
Just sayin’.
Peggy Lu Who's Just Sayin' 