Those with lupus are often dealing with skin issues, from photosensitivity to skin rashes and treatment effects. So those cold days of winter -– the ones that lack humidity, produce icy winds and create dry, chapped skin -- are just another issue that lupus patients must address.
Short of moving to a tropical climate, people with lupus need a simple way to save their skin from the brisk outdoor air and dry indoor heat. Here are 5 quick ways you can turn go from cracked and chapped to smooth and soft.
- Take a bath. Regular daily bathing in a warm (not hot) bath or shower adds moisture to the skin -– but only if showers are short (more than 10 minutes and your skin can start to dry out). Make sure to use a mild soap. Something too heavy or with fragrance can zap your skin of much needed oil. And give your skin a moisturize shortly thereafter.
- Moisturize, you say? Yes, moisturize. Get it on within three minutes of your bath and you’ll seal in moisture for most of the day. And forget buying the most expensive one. Instead, shop by ingredient. Look for products that contain lactic acid or urea as they help alleviate even severe dryness.
- Make sure your skin care products are free of heaving deodorants, alcohol-based toners, and fragrance. They can irritate skin and make a bad situation worse.
- Use a humidifier in the home, to inject moisture in the dry air.
- Watch your hands. They often are most effected by a dry environment. To protect them, wear winter gloves outdoors, apply hand cream after washing your hands to retain moisture, and wear waterproof gloves if your hands will be underwater for any great length of time.
- Bonus Tip: Wear sunscreen regularly. This is especially true for lupus patients who must use sunscreen, even in the winter, to protect from the power of the UV light. In fact, prolonged periods of sunlight exposure should be avoided, as well as tanning salons and bare fluorescent light bulbs. A sunscreen or block with protection against UVA and UVB rays should be reapplied every two hours.
Sources: Lupus and the Skin American Academy of Dermatology. October 2008.
Dermatologists' Top 10 Tips for Relieving Dry Skin Skin Care Physicians.com. American Academy of Dermatology. August 2007.
