Winterize Your Skin
Summer is coming to an end, but the need for skin protection does not end. Even though the sun is less intense during the winter, there are still precautions one should take in order to keep skin healthy and young looking.
More InformationPsoriasisDry winter air can aggravate the suffering of psoriasis. Skin Care and Aging More information on maintaining your youthful skin.
Monthly Skin Self - Examination |
Although there are fewer hours of sunlight during the winter, damage from the sun should still be of concern. Remember to use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or greater. If you are a snow skier, sunscreen is of extra importance. The sun's rays are reflected off the shiny surface of snow and ice, and can be almost as intense as the summer sun.
Dry Skin
Winter can be especially hard on skin that tends to be dry. Heaters and furnaces will dry the air they heat and cause the skin to dry even more. If you can it would be wise to use a humidifier during the winter. These will help to pump much needed moisture into the air in your home. You may also want to cut down on bathing. For most people a daily bath in the winter is not necessary. Excessive bathing can dry the skin and cause it to crack and peel. Many soaps are also drying to the skin, you may want to try a cream cleanser in place of soap. Be wary of deodorants and creams that contain alcohol, as it can also be very drying. Use a moisturizing skin cream that does not contain perfumes (perfume contains alcohol), especially after bathing.
Photosensitivity
Many drugs and chemicals can cause severe reactions when the person taking them is exposed to sunlight. The reactions can be from mild to severe and include exaggerated sunburn-like skin conditions, eye burn, mild allergic reactions, hives, abnormal reddening of the skin, and eczema-like rashes with itching, swelling, blistering, oozing, and scaling of the skin. Chronic effects from long-term exposure include premature skin aging, stronger allergic reactions, cataracts, blood vessel damage, a weakened immune system, and skin cancer. If you are taking a drug that warns of a photosensitive effect, don't assume that because it is winter you do not need to be cautious. The drugs in this list are known to cause a photosensitive reaction with exposure to the sun.
A Few Common Photosensitizers
These are just a few of the more commonly used drugs that can cause photosensitivity reactions in some people:
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Therapeutic Class |
|---|---|---|
| Motrin | ibuprofen | NSAID, antiarthritic |
| Crystodigin | digitoxin | antiarrhythmic |
| Sinequan | doxepin | antidepressant |
| Cordarone | amiodarone | antiarrhythmic |
| Bactrim | trimethoprim | antibiotic |
| Diabinese | chlorpropamide | antidiabetic (oral) |
| Feldene | piroxicam | NSAID, antiarthritic |
| Vibramycin | doxycycline | antibiotic |
| Phenergan | promethazine | antihistamine |
Sources:
NIH
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