How to Recognize Winter Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition common in young children. The dry, itchy, red skin causes irritation and bleeding and appears in patches on the body. In the winter, some people experience eczema for the first time all year. Winter eczema, also known as winter itch, is common amongst children and adults. Read below for advice on how to recognize winter eczema.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Pay attention to spots on the body that start itching when the temperature changes. Extreme temperature changes bring on winter eczema and can cause it to flare on the first cold day.
2. Look for itchy, red, scaly patches of skin in the creases of your body. Common places for winter eczema are the insides of elbows, behind the knees, around the armpits and behind the ears. The first sign of redness in these areas could signal winter eczema and extra moisturizing will help prevent a severe attack.
3. Check kids for eczema behind their ears. It usually runs the length of the ear and is especially tender where the ear joins the side of the head.
4. Wear gloves when washing dishes or submerging your hands in hot water. Winter eczema on the hands looks like red splotches and itches when soaked in hot water. Keep a moisturizing hand cream on at all times during the winter.
5. Moisturize parts of your body that itch when you wear a heavy sweater or pants. Winter sweaters and pants don’t allow good air circulation, which dries out skin and encourages eczema. Prevent irritation from sweaters by wearing a cotton shirt underneath all sweaters, especially wool.

Tips & Warnings

• Start using a body moisturizer as soon as cold weather sets in. Buy a large bottle and lather it on before bedtime and after bathing.
• Winter eczema reacts well to creams designed for itchy skin. Brands like Aveeno and Johnson & Johnson make eczema creams and soothing oatmeal bath products.
• If you winter eczema doesn't react well to over-the-counter creams, get a prescription for a stronger steroid cream from your doctor.
• Don't scratch winter eczema because it can cause bleeding or oozing of the red patches.
• Avoid wool sweaters if your winter eczema is severe. Wool can cause a winter eczema breakout after only a few hours.