Recently, the weather has been cold and dry, and it’s the high season for winter dermatitis, so here’s a quick overview of winter dermatitis, also known as “lack of lipid dermatitis”. This is a series of symptoms caused by the dry climate in winter, which reduces the oil secretion on the skin surface and lacks sufficient moisturizing. The clinical manifestation is the appearance of small scales on the skin, and in severe cases, “broken porcelain”-like cracks can be seen, especially on the front of the shins of the lower legs, and dry cracks can also appear on the back of the hands. The dry and flaky skin will stimulate the itchy nerve, which will lead to itchy symptoms, and scratching will lead to scratching and bleeding. Excessive scratching also affects the quality of sleep.
Winter dermatitis is mainly due to the dry winter climate, frequent bathing with strong alkaline soap and hot water, etc., resulting in the expansion of the surface capillaries of the skin, accelerating the evaporation of water from the body surface, which will aggravate the dryness of the skin, and some people will feel itchy after bathing and other reasons leading to the occurrence of winter dermatitis.
Causes
In autumn and winter, the sebaceous glands and sweat glands secrete less and their own water retention function is poor, resulting in skin moisture loss, plus bathing too often, and the use of strong alkaline soap or body wash, or like to use hot water bathing, will aggravate the dryness of the skin. A recent study suggests that bathing irritation is one of the risk factors for pancytopenia, but susceptibility factors within the patient’s body may play a more important role.
Prevalent groups
The elderly and children are the main victims of winter dermatitis, as their sebaceous glands begin to deteriorate in the elderly and are not yet fully functional in young children.
Disease symptoms
Winter dermatitis is characterized by the appearance of small scales on the skin and, in severe cases, “broken porcelain”-like cracks, especially on the front of the shins of the lower legs, and dry cracks on the back of the hands. The dry and flaky skin will stimulate the itchy nerve, which will lead to itchy symptoms, and scratching will result in scratches and blood oozing.
Treatment
Oral
Anti-blocking amines, such as cetirizine and loratadine, one tablet at bedtime. In mild cases, cold compresses can also be applied to reduce symptoms. In more severe cases, a small amount of hormonal drugs can be applied under the guidance of a doctor and discontinued as soon as symptoms are reduced, and not for more than a week.
Symptoms can appear all over the body, but also in the lower and upper limbs, ears, scrotum and other localities, manifested as erythema, papules, blisters, peeling skin, etc., mainly itching and burning sensation. Mild cases can be treated with topical medication under the guidance of a doctor. It should be emphasized that many people treat foot eczema as tinea pedis and using foot ointment is ineffective, so a fungal test should be done at a hospital before treatment to determine whether it is a fungal infection or not.
Topical medication
Topical medications are: moisturizers, hormonal creams. Hormonal creams must be used under medical advice, otherwise they can be counterproductive.
Attention issues
Five contraindications to showering
A taboo bathing too diligent; two taboo bath water too hot; three taboo rubbing too heavy; four taboo alkaline too strong washing and bathing products; five taboo bathing time is too long. Winter bath 1-2 times a week, the water temperature should not exceed 45 ℃, dry the skin after bathing and apply medical moisturizing lotion.
Dietary contraindications
It is advisable to eat more animal liver, eggs, cod liver oil and other foods rich in vitamin A; sesame, peanuts, soybeans, black beans and other foods rich in linoleic acid can moisturize the skin; drink more water, eat more carrots, pumpkin, fresh vegetables and fruits. Avoid seafood, beef, mutton, alcohol, chili, strong tea, coffee and other stimulating foods.
Home clothing
Indoor ventilation is often kept fresh, loose, soft underwear, to wash and change, preferably with cotton products, chemical fiber fabrics are easy to cause skin allergies.
Warm tips
If you suffer from dermatitis, take antihistamines, vitamin AD and vitamin E internally and use emollient creams externally to relieve the symptoms. In severe cases, you should go to a hospital dermatologist and use medication under the guidance of a doctor. Do not use hormone ointments for a long time without permission to avoid many adverse reactions. Patients with psoriasis (psoriasis), ichthyosis, skin amyloidosis and other skin diseases have similarities between the winter rash and winter dermatitis, and should regularly follow up with the hospital to prevent the recurrence of old diseases.
Prevention
Cleanse the skin properly
After autumn, reduce the number of baths, 1 to 2 times a week, and gradually reduce as the dryness of the environment worsens, do not wash for too long, keep the water temperature below 40°C, and do not rub the bath to prevent the integrity of the skin stratum corneum from being destroyed and the occurrence of dry skin. In winter, you should use body wash with moisturizing ingredients and apply moisturizing emollient with moisturizing function to the whole body after bathing.
Repairing the skin barrier
A complete skin barrier consists of the outermost sebaceous membrane of the epidermis, epidermal keratin-forming cells, intercellular lipids and dermal mucopolysaccharides. Topical emollients are used to help repair the skin barrier, replenish sebum and reduce water loss. Also, an intact skin barrier helps protect the skin against allergens and irritants and relieves itching caused in part by irritation.