WINTER is notoriously unkind to our skin, causing dryness, chapped lips and sore hands. But the bitingly cold weather can take its toll in another maddening way, known as the ' winter itch'. Are you being struck by the sudden and intense need to itch your legs, arms or torso, particularly at night? Then you might be falling victim to the pesky 'winter itch' , a common type of skin irritation known as pruritus hiemalis that's caused by cold weather.
Icy winds and toasty indoor heating can leach your skin of its natural moisture, making it cracked, red and uncontrollably itchy in the winter. It can affect anyone, but you might be particularly vulnerable to this unpleasant seasonal side effect if you have pre-existing skin conditions or sensitive skin, skin expert Dr Vanita Rattan says. Read more on skincare The skin doctor and cosmetic formulator told Sun Health: "While winter itch is closely related to dry skin , it’s not exactly the same thing.
"Winter itch tends to be more intense than regular dry skin, causing intense periods of itching . The itchiness is sudden in onset and is generally more noticeable at nighttime. "Redness often accompanies scratched skin, and in more severe cases, the skin texture can become rough and thickened.
"As a result of winter itch, small cracks can also develop in the skin, which may even lead to bleeding." Most read in Anti-ageing The skin condition most commonly the legs - especially around the calves, inner thighs, knees, and ankles - whic.
