Winter skin care

As the snow falls and the temperature drops there are a few things to look forward to, like showing off your new mitten and scarf set and getting pleasantly rosy and fresh-faced when you spend time outdoors. There's also a winter constant that's not so fun but oh so common: dry, itchy skin.Although many us face the prospect of dry winter skin, it's easy to get relief. Dr. Rob Miller, of Halifax's Dermatology Rejuvenation Center, shared some of his tips on treating and preventing some common winter skin problems.

"As the weather gets colder, the main problem is skin drying out more easily, especially on the lower legs, for two reasons," Miller says. "There is a decrease in the oil the body produces and a decrease in humidity in buildings because the heat is on."

The lack of oil in your skin and lack of humidity in the air combine to bring on "winter itch" (just another term for very, very dry skin). Scaly, flaky, excessively dry or red skin are the typical symptoms of winter itch.

Skin soothers
You've got it, so what can you do about it? Bring on the lotion, creams and body butters. "The most important thing to do is use lots of moisturizer to prevent winter itch," Miller says. "It varies person to person, but applying moisturizer two to three times a day should be sufficient."

Don't let the dozens of different brands overwhelm you when you go to pick up a moisturizer. Miller suggests asking your pharmacist for a recommendation. A pharmacist should be able to suggest something that would be right for your skin type and condition.

Keep your sun sense
While you're thinking about lotions, don't retire your sunblock just yet. Miller cautions that there is still a risk of sunburn when you're outdoors for prolonged periods. The sun is lower in the sky, and the risk is not nearly as serious as in summer, but it's still there. The sun reflects off the surface of the snow, so whether you're skiing, sledding, ice fishing or just shovelling, put on some sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Unlike summer, if you're not spending a lot of time outdoors, you can probably skip the sunscreen. Use common sense, Miller says. And don't forget your lips. The winter sun can still chap and dry out your lips, so wear an SPF 15 balm as well.

Chilled with chilblains
Another, less common, winter skin condition is chilblains. Chilblains is an inflammation of the hands and feet caused by cold and wet conditions. Basically, if you are walking around barefoot on cool winter floors on a regular basis, you could get chilblains or sore, red and painful feet. Miller says he sees two or three cases of chilblains every winter and it's easily preventable. Just be sure to wear warm, dry socks, in addition to slippers, when walking on cold floors.

If you're prepared, you can avoid a lot of the discomfort and suffering that comes with various winter-related skin issues. Just be sure to stay aware. See a doctor for any skin reactions that appear out of the ordinary or excessive to you. Apply moisturizers, use sunscreen wisely, and for goodness sake, don't hang around in wet socks.