Cold Weather Can Trigger Itchy Skin and Eczema, Here's the Explanation

Cold weather can trigger itchy skin and eczema (Magnific/Azerbaijan_stockers)

YOGYAKARTA - Cold weather often brings its own challenges for skin health. Many people experience skin that feels drier, itchy, and even experience a recurrence of eczema when the air temperature drops. If not handled properly, this condition can cause discomfort and interfere with daily activities. Therefore, it is important to understand the relationship between cold weather, itchy skin, and eczema so that you can take the right preventive steps.

Why does cold weather make the skin more prone to problems?

When the weather gets colder, air humidity usually decreases. This condition makes the skin lose water faster so that it becomes dry and more sensitive to irritation. As a result, the skin can feel rough, peeling, and cause itching that is disturbing.

In addition to environmental factors, launching Socalallergy, Tuesday, June 2, common habits when the weather is cold can also worsen skin conditions. Bathing with too hot water or being in a heated room for a long time can reduce the skin's natural moisture. When the skin's protective layer is weakened, the risk of inflammation and irritation increases.

Illustration of cold weather can trigger itchy skin and eczema (Magnific)Cold allergies can also occur.

Not all skin problems during cold weather are caused by dry skin. Some people experience a condition called cold allergy or cold urticaria, which is a skin reaction that appears after exposure to low temperatures. This reaction occurs because the body releases histamine in response to cold exposure.

Symptoms can include bumps, redness, itching, or swelling in areas exposed to cold air or objects. In some cases, symptoms appear minutes after the skin begins to warm up again. The severity can vary from person to person.

Signs to look out for

Skin affected by cold weather usually shows some typical symptoms. The most common complaints include dry skin, itching, redness, and feeling more sensitive than usual. In certain conditions, the skin can even split open to cause pain.

Meanwhile, people who have a cold allergy can experience hives resembling hives after being exposed to low temperatures. The face, hands, lips, and body parts that are not covered by clothing are often the most vulnerable areas to experience symptoms. If the reaction that appears feels heavy, you should immediately seek medical help.

Illustration of cold weather can trigger itchy skin and eczema (Magnific/stefamerpik)Cold weather and eczema relationship

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by chronic inflammation and disorders of the skin's protective layer. When the air is cold and dry, skin moisture decreases so that eczema symptoms are more likely to recur. This causes the skin to feel very itchy, red, and sometimes thick due to frequent scratching.

Environmental changes during the winter can also aggravate eczema conditions. Exposure to cold air, strong winds, and changes in humidity can trigger inflammation in sensitive skin. Therefore, many eczema sufferers complain of more severe symptoms when the weather is cold than in other seasons.

How to keep your skin healthy during cold weather

Keeping the skin hydrated is the most important step to prevent itchy skin and eczema. Use moisturizer regularly, especially after bathing when the skin is still a little damp. Choose products that are gentle, fragrance-free, and formulated for sensitive skin so that the risk of irritation is lower.

In addition, limit the use of hot water when bathing. Warm water that is not too hot is better to help maintain the natural moisture of the skin. Using a gentle soap that does not make the skin feel dry can also help maintain the health of the skin barrier.

If the air in the room feels very dry, using a humidifier can be a useful option. This tool helps add moisture to the air so that the skin does not lose too much fluid. Simple habits such as wearing comfortable clothes that do not cause excessive friction can also help reduce irritation.

When should you consult a doctor?

Most skin complaints due to cold weather can improve with proper treatment. However, you should see a doctor if symptoms do not improve, often recur, or begin to interfere with daily activities. Medical treatment is also needed if the skin experiences infection, injury, or inflammation that is getting worse.

In severe cases of cold allergies, symptoms may be accompanied by widespread swelling, dizziness, or respiratory distress. Conditions like this require medical attention as soon as possible. Proper diagnosis can help determine the treatment that is appropriate for the cause of the complaint.

Cold weather can trigger itchy skin and eczema because the decreased air humidity can disrupt the skin's protective layer. In addition to causing dry skin and irritation, cold temperatures can also trigger allergic reactions in some people. By maintaining skin moisture, avoiding irritating triggers, and applying the right treatments, you can help maintain skin health while reducing the risk of eczema recurrence during cold weather.