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Winter brings its very own challenges, not only for our well-being, but also for our skin. Cool temperatures, icy winds and dry heating air are hard on the skin and deprive it of much-needed moisture. Especially people with sensitive skin, chronic skin problems or illnesses such as Neurodermatitis often experience a worsening of their symptoms during the cold season. Tightness, itching and redness become constant companions, while the skin barrier becomes increasingly weakened.
Why is that? The constant change between cold air outdoors and dry, warm air indoors pushes the skin to its limits. External influences such as friction from clothing or low humidity also exacerbate the situation. Especially for people with Neurodermatitisa chronic and inflammatory skin disease, winter is a particularly challenging time. Flare-ups occur more frequently and the skin becomes more sensitive to external and internal stresses. In this article, we take a detailed look at why the skin suffers in winter, which factors promote dryness and irritation and how Neurodermatitis is affected in winter. We also provide tips on how you can best protect your skin - regardless of whether you are simply struggling with dry skin or a complex skin condition such as Neurodermatitis have.
1 Why does the skin suffer in winter?
The skin is our largest organ and serves as a protective shield against external influences. But in winter, this protective function is put to the test. The skin relies on maintaining an intact barrier of water, lipids and dead cells to retain moisture and keep out irritants. However, it is precisely this protective mechanism that begins to falter during the cold season.
External factors: the climate takes its toll
Cold and wind outside:
The cold air outside contains hardly any moisture, which means that the skin dries out more quickly. Wind intensifies this effect even more, as it literally "blows away" the skin's natural protective film. The skin loses its elasticity and begins to tighten, itch or even flake.
Dry heating air indoors:
While we protect ourselves from the cold in heated rooms, heaters remove all moisture from the air. This dry environment has a direct effect on the skin, which already loses more moisture in winter. Exposed areas such as the face, hands and lips are particularly affected.
Alternate between warm and cold:
The constant transition from cold outside air to warm inside air puts additional strain on the skin. The capillaries contract in the cold and expand in the heat, which can result in redness and irritated skin.
Internal factors: The skin produces less fat
In winter, the body reduces sebum production as the skin produces less oil at low temperatures. This lack of oil means that the skin's natural protective barrier no longer functions optimally. Without the protective oil film, the skin loses more moisture and becomes more susceptible to external irritants, such as irritating clothing or environmental pollution.
The consequences: Effects on sensitive skin and neurodermatitis
For anyone who suffers from dry skin, winter is a time when consistent care is essential. But for people with skin conditions such as Neurodermatitis the effects are particularly strong.
Weakened skin barrier:
At Neurodermatitis the skin barrier is naturally impaired, and external stresses such as cold and dryness exacerbate the problem. The skin not only loses moisture, but also allows irritants to penetrate more easily.
Increased inflammation and redness:
Neurodermatitis is characterized by chronic inflammation. In winter, these increase due to the dry skin, which can trigger or worsen flare-ups. Eczema spreads more quickly, especially on sensitive areas such as the face, hands and crooks of the arms.
Itching:
Dry, cracked skin itches more - a vicious circle for those affected. Scratching intensifies the symptoms as it further damages the skin and promotes inflammation.
2. typical skin problems in winter
The cold season brings some skin problems for many of us. Whether you only have slightly dry skin or are prone to sensitive skin, winter can pose real challenges for your skin. Hands, face and other exposed areas that are constantly exposed to cold and dry air are particularly affected. Here is an overview of the most common problems:
Dryness: feeling of tension and dandruff
Have you ever had the feeling in winter that your skin is too small for your face? This unpleasant feeling of tightness is typical of dry skin. The reason for this is the loss of moisture, which is exacerbated by the lack of humidity in the air and reduced sebum production. Over time, the skin begins to flake and without the right care, fine cracks can even form, which can be painful and promote inflammation.
Itching: a constant companion in winter
When the skin is dry, it often starts to itch. Scratching relieves the itching in the short term, but in the long term it exacerbates the problem. The result is a vicious circle: scratching injures the skin, which leads to further irritation and inflammation. Especially for people with Neurodermatitis winter can be a time when itching is present almost daily.
Eczema in atopic dermatitis: more frequent flare-ups in winter
For people with Neurodermatitis winter is particularly difficult. The already weakened skin barrier is put under additional strain by the cold and dryness, and eczema occurs more frequently. The hands are frequently affected, as they are often unprotected and dry out even more due to frequent washing. The face and crooks of the arms are also typical problem areas that need more attention and care in winter.
3. how atopic dermatitis changes in winter
If you Neurodermatitis you probably know that the symptoms can change depending on the season. While warm, humid air often has a soothing effect on the skin in summer, winter can be a real challenge. Here are the main reasons why atopic dermatitis often gets worse in winter:
Constant temperature fluctuations
The change between cold air outside and dry, warm heated air inside is very hard on the skin. In the cold, the blood vessels in the skin contract to keep the heat inside the body. As soon as you come back into the warmth, the vessels dilate, which can lead to redness and an unpleasant feeling of warmth. For people with Neurodermatitis this means additional stress, as the skin already reacts more sensitively to external stimuli.
Moisture loss due to dry air
The low humidity in winter increases the loss of moisture from the skin. With Neurodermatitis the skin barrier is already damaged, so water evaporates even faster. The result: the skin becomes drier, flakier and more susceptible to eczema.
Exposure to clothing
Clothing that protects you in winter can Neurodermatitis can become a problem. Wool sweaters and synthetic fabrics can irritate the skin and trigger flare-ups. Tight clothing or seams in sensitive areas such as the crooks of the arms also exacerbate the symptoms.
Less sunlight
Sunlight has Neurodermatitis has a calming effect, as the UV rays can reduce inflammation. In winter, when the days are shorter and you spend less time outside, this natural help is lacking. Many sufferers therefore notice a worsening of their symptoms in the darker months of the year.
Emotional strain and stress
Winter is a stressful time for many people. Whether it's due to the holidays, work pressures or the feeling that the dark days never end - all of these can affect your Neurodermatitis worsen. Anti-Stress is a known trigger for relapses, and in winter it is often more difficult to find islands of calm.
4. basic care for healthy skin in winter
The right care is essential in winter to prevent dry skin and skin conditions such as Neurodermatitis and prevent flare-ups. If you look after your skin consistently and change a few simple habits, you can protect it better and strengthen its natural barrier. Here are the key building blocks of winter-appropriate skincare:
Gentle cleaning
Winter skin is often irritated and sensitive. You should therefore look for cleansing products that are mild and do not contain fragrances or aggressive chemicals.
- Avoid soaps with strong lather: These not only remove dirt, but also the skin's natural oil film. Choose pH-neutral or moisturizing cleansing products instead.
- No hot water: As pleasant as it may be, a hot shower also dries out the skin. Lukewarm water is ideal to avoid stressing the skin.
- Dry gently: Do not rub the towel over the skin, but gently pat it dry to avoid irritation.
Daily moisturizing care
After cleansing, the skin needs an extra dose of care, especially in winter. Moisturizing and lipid-replenishing products help to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture.
- Rich creams and ointments: Make sure that the products contain oils such as shea butter, jojoba or almond oil. These moisturize the skin and protect it from drying out.
- Regularity counts: Apply cream in the morning and evening. Especially after showering or washing your hands, it is important to moisturize your skin immediately while it is still slightly damp.
- Don't forget your lips and hands: These sensitive areas need extra protection in winter. Apply lip balm several times a day and moisturize your hands after every wash.
5. natural support: medicinal plants
Nasturtium is known for its strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. With Neurodermatitis it can help calm inflammatory skin reactions and reduce the risk of bacterial infections caused by scratched skin. Used as a tea or tincture, it supports the skin from the inside out, while its active ingredients strengthen the immune system and promote natural healing. Nasturtium also helps to make the skin barrier more resistant to external influences.
Heart Seedsalso known as motherwort, is a gentle helper for irritated skin and chronic inflammation. Its soothing properties act on both the skin and the nervous system, which helps with Neurodermatitis can have a double effect. Heart seed extracts help the skin to regenerate and can soothe inflammation, while nourishing the skin from the inside out. Reduce stress - a frequent trigger of relapses.
The Pansy has long been known for its healing effect on problematic skin. It has an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect, making it an effective remedy for itching and eczema. The flavonoids and saponins it contains promote skin healing and help to eliminate excess toxins. Used as a tea or poultice, pansy brings noticeable relief to irritated skin and strengthens the skin barrier in the long term.
Hemp seed are a valuable source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy skin barrier. These essential fatty acids help to moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation, which can occur with Neurodermatitis often take center stage. Hemp seed oil or products can be taken internally or applied externally to strengthen the skin and relieve itching. Its anti-inflammatory effect makes it an ideal companion for sensitive skin.
The Nettle is a true all-rounder when it comes to skin and body care. It is rich in minerals such as silicon, iron and zinc, which are essential for the regeneration of the skin barrier. Nettle tea or extracts have an internal cleansing effect by flushing excess toxins from the body and relieving inflammation. Thanks to its blood-purifying effect, stinging nettle can help to break the vicious circle of inflammation and itching in Neurodermatitis to break through.
Mugwort is a traditional medicinal plant known for its calming and balancing properties. With Neurodermatitisoften caused by Anti-Stress and inner restlessness, mugwort can help to calm the nervous system and strengthen the skin from the inside at the same time. It promotes blood circulation and supports the regeneration of irritated areas of skin. Used as a tea or bath additive, mugwort provides calm and promotes balance, which is essential for healthy skin.
With natural methods, such as the individual spagyric mixtures from Zimply Natural, your complaints can be relieved naturally and sustainably.
6. practical tips for neurodermatitis sufferers
Neurodermatitis requires even more targeted care and additional precautions in winter. Here are some tips that can help you protect your skin and minimize flare-ups:
Increase humidity
The dry air in heated rooms exacerbates skin problems. Higher humidity can help to prevent the skin from drying out.
- Use a humidifier: These devices are particularly useful in living rooms and bedrooms to bring the humidity to a healthy level (40-60 %).
- Plants as natural humidifiers: Plants such as green lilies or Cyprus grass increase the humidity in a natural way.
- Ventilate regularly: Fresh air prevents the room air from becoming too dry and at the same time brings oxygen into the rooms.
Adapt your diet
Your diet plays an important role in the health of your skin. In winter, you can particularly benefit from foods that strengthen the skin and soothe inflammation.
- Skin-friendly nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. in fish, linseed or walnuts) have an anti-inflammatory effect. Vitamin D, which you often absorb less of in winter through sunlight, can be obtained from dietary supplements or certain foods such as egg yolk or mushrooms.
- Avoid triggers: Avoid foods that could trigger flare-ups, such as highly processed products, sugar or alcohol.
- Drink plenty of water: Even if you feel less thirsty in winter, adequate hydration remains crucial for skin health.
- Enjoy oil baths: If you like bathing, add a moisturizing bath oil to protect and soothe your skin. Avoid bubble baths as they often dry out the skin.
7. FAQ: Questions about skin health
Which care products are suitable for dry skin in winter?
Replenishing and moisturizing products are essential for dry skin in winter. Creams with ingredients such as shea butter, almond oil, glycerine or urea help to retain moisture in the skin and strengthen its barrier. Water-based products are less suitable as they evaporate quickly and can dry out the skin. Ointments or rich creams with a higher fat content offer better protection, especially in cold weather. Make sure that the products are free from fragrances and preservatives to avoid irritation.
How can I protect my skin from the cold when I'm outside?
Before you go outside, it is important to protect your skin with an oily cream or ointment. These form a barrier that protects the skin from the cold and wind. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the cold and dryness and use a scarf to cover your face. Lip balm is also a must to prevent chapped lips. If you're going to be outside for longer, you can reapply your cream or lip balm as you go to maintain protection.
