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January 14, 2022Whether you’re a winter sports enthusiast or spend the season curled up by the fireplace, the low humidity, bitter winds, and dry indoor heat that accompany cold weather can deplete your skin’s natural moisture. Dry skin is not only painful, uncomfortable, and irritating; it also can lead to skin conditions such as eczema, which results in itchy, red, bumpy skin patches.
Follow these six tips to prevent and treat skin damage caused by winter dryness.
1. Do: Wear sunscreen all year long.
UV rays can easily penetrate cloudy skies to dry out exposed skin. And when the sun is shining, snow and ice reflect its rays, increasing UV exposure.
Getting a sunburn can cause severe dryness, premature aging of the skin, and skin cancer. Snow or shine, apply sunscreen before participating in any outdoor activity during the winter—especially if you take a tropical vacation to escape the cold; your skin is less accustomed to sunlight and more likely to burn quickly.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and offers a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
That being said, if you are considering laser skin treatments to reduce wrinkles, hair, blemishes, or acne scars, winter is a better time to receive these procedures. Sun exposure shortly after a treatment increases the risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), and people are less likely to spend time outside during the winter.
Related reading: 7 Simple Ways to Protect Your Skin in the Sun2. Do: Skip products with drying ingredients.
Soaps or facial products you use in warm weather with no issues may irritate your skin during colder seasons. This is because they contain ingredients that can cause dryness, but the effects aren’t noticeable until they’re worsened by the dry winter climate.
You may need to take a break from:
- Anti-acne medications containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
- Antibacterial and detergent-based soap
- Anything containing fragrance, from soap to hand sanitizer
Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer, which contains a high level of skin-drying alcohol, cannot be avoided; we need to maintain good hand hygiene to stop the spread of germs. If your job or lifestyle requires frequent hand washing or sanitizing, routinely apply hand cream throughout the day as well.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have seen a lot of people develop hand dermatitis—a condition with itchy, burning skin that can swell and blister—due to constant hand washing. Sometimes the fix is as simple as changing the soap they're using. Sensitive-skin soap is the best product for dry skin; it typically foams up less but still cleans the skin efficiently.
3. Do: Pay closer attention to thick skin.
Areas of thin skin, such as the face and backs of your hands, are usually exposed to the wind and sun the most. It’s easy to tell when they start drying out. But the thick skin on your palms and bottoms of your feet is also prone to dryness—and tends to receive less attention.
When thick skin gets dry, fissures form. You’ll see the surface turn white and scaly; then deep, linear cracks will appear. It isn’t as pliable as thin skin. When you’re constantly on your feet or using your hands to work, cook, and everything in between, dry thick skin cracks instead of flexing with your movements.
To soften cracked skin, gently massage a heavy-duty moisturizer—such as Vaseline—into the affected area once or twice a day. You can also talk with your doctor about using a skin-safe adhesive to close the fissures and help them heal faster.
Related reading: Follow these 5 Tips for Healthy Skin4. Don’t believe the myth that drinking more water will fix dry skin.
Contrary to popular belief, the amount of water or fluids you drink does not play a major role in skin hydration—unless you’re severely dehydrated. In the winter, especially, dry skin is caused by external elements; it should be treated from the outside as well.
The best way to keep skin hydrated and healthy is to apply fragrance-free cream or ointment—not lotion—to damp skin after a shower or bath. Some people need additional moisturizers for their hands, legs, or other areas prone to dryness.While some lotions are made better than others, most are a combination of water and powder that evaporates quickly. Creams and ointments work better because they contain ingredients that can help rebuild your skin barrier.
Look for products with ceramide, a fatty acid that helps rebuild the fat and protein barrier that holds your skin cells together. The AAD also recommends moisturizing ingredients such as:
- Dimethicone
- Glycerin
- Jojoba oil
- Lanolin
- Mineral oil
- Petrolatum
- Shea butter
For severely dry skin, you can try a “wet wrap” technique:
- Rinse a pair of tight-fitting pajamas in warm water and wring them out so they’re damp, not wet.
- Apply cream or ointment to your skin.
- Put on the damp pajamas, followed by a pair of dry pajamas, and wear the ensemble for several hours.
Dampness makes your skin more permeable and better able to absorb hydrating products. If the wet wrap or over-the-counter products aren’t working for you, talk with a dermatologist about prescription skin hydration options.
5. Don’t confuse skin conditions with dryness.
Skin conditions are often mistaken for dry skin because peeling or flaking are common symptoms. Redness of the skin or itching in addition to dryness and flaking indicates a skin condition that may need more than an over-the-counter moisturizer.
Skin cells are anchored together by a lipid and protein layer (like a brick and mortar wall). With very dry skin, the seal on this wall or barrier is not fully intact and water evaporates out of the skin’s surface. The skin will become itchy and red in addition to scaly or flaky. If you experience these symptoms, visit with a dermatologist.6. Don’t wait for symptoms to take care of dry skin.
Be proactive—the best way to maintain moisture is to apply hydrating creams and ointments directly to your skin on a regular basis. Start by applying them as part of your morning routine. Once you get used to that, add a nighttime application. And carry a container of it when you’re on the go or keep it in an easily accessible location at work.
You can’t avoid dry air, but you can take precautions to reduce its harsh effects on your skin. If over-the-counter products don’t seem to help, our dermatologists can provide an individualized treatment plan. Hydrated skin is healthy skin!
Does your skin get drier as the air gets colder?
Our dermatologists can help.
Call 202-877-DOCS (3627) or Request an Appointment
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October 13, 2016When one of our patients is considering or about to undergo a surgical procedure at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, we are usually asked two questions: “How invasive or painful will it be, and how long will it take for me to recover?”
Both are understandable questions, since many types of surgeries can take an emotional and physical toll on someone. But thanks to advancements in technology, we’ve seen procedures that were historically much more invasive, with protracted periods of recovery, become less painful, with patients getting back on their feet much more quickly.
Specifically here at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, our doctors have seen more positive outcomes with the da Vinci Xi. A minimally invasive robotic surgery technology from Intuitive Surgical. But what does the da Vinci Xi robot mean for our patients?
One of the most important things to understand about this surgical robot is that is not used to perform surgeries on automation. Rather, it is a surgical robot that is controlled by a person. Though remote use is possible, typically a surgeon will be in the same room with the da Vinci Xi, as well as the patient, as the procedure is performed.
What Our Doctors Have to Say About the da Vinci Xi and Patient Care
What makes the da Vinci Xi so powerful is its precise use of much smaller surgical tools, and thus smaller incisions for the patient. It’s also a step above previous iterations of the surgical robot technology, says Medstar Washington Hospital Center colorectal surgeon Jennifer M. Ayscue, MD.
“The older robot was less user-friendly and very static, so as a colorectal surgeon, I was only able to operate on one part of the abdomen. This limited the type of colon resections we could do,” Dr. Ayscue says. “The Xi robot allows us to operate in several areas of the abdomen in one procedure, so we can do almost any colon surgery using this very advanced tool.”
Cheryl Iglesia, MD, director of the section of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and a leader in her field, shares Dr. Ayscue’s sentiments.
“Having the ability to do a single-port surgery is the next frontier,” Dr. Iglesia points out. “You can perform surgery through just one incision at the belly button.”
An Investment in Our Patients and Their Recovery
Most of all, many of our patients recover more quickly, thanks to the da Vinci Xi empowering surgeons to perform more minimally invasive robotic surgeries for certain procedures.
Of this, Dr. Ayscue says, “My patients have minimal, if any, pain postoperatively. That means they are able to move on with the next part of their therapy sooner, or get back to their lives or work quicker!”
“While this new robot is very advanced technology, it is very expensive,” she continues. “However, MedStar [Washington Hospital Center] is committed to having the most advanced and best options for our patients, whatever the cost for the institution.”
As heard from Lambros Stamatakis, MD, on WTOP Radio:
Have any questions?
We are here to help! If you have any problems, or would like to schedule a consultation, call us at 202-877-3627.
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October 10, 2016Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Take the time to learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and you could save someone's life. -
October 10, 2016Did you know that up to 20 percent of people have pituitary tumors, but many of them cause no problems, if they are ever even diagnosed? While this may be considered good news for many people, pituitary tumors are not always benign.
If you develop a pituitary tumor that interferes with your hormones or presses on the surrounding nerves, you could experience a broad range of health issues that should be addressed. Read on to learn about pituitary tumors so you can spot the signs and seek the treatment you need.
First, What Is the Pituitary Gland?
Before you can understand the symptoms, you first need to understand the purpose of the pituitary gland. It is a tiny gland located at the base of the brain, which makes several important hormones, including:
- TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), which controls the thyroid gland;
- ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which affects the production of cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) from the adrenal gland;
- FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Luteinizing hormone) that regulate male and female sex organs and fertility;
- Growth hormone, which regulates growth, particularly in children; and
- Prolactin, which controls breast growth and lactation.
You can think of the pituitary gland as the conductor of the endocrine orchestra. It regulates the production of hormones by other glands in the body, just like a conductor controls the production of sound by individual musicians.
Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors
Pituitary tumors can be functional (overproduction of one or more hormones by the tumor cells) or non-functional. Symptoms of pituitary tumors therefore fall into two categories: those related to hormonal excess and those related to mass effect of the tumor on surrounding structures.
Tumors that do not increase hormone production can press on important structures around them, such as the nerves connecting the eyes to the brain. These tumors can cause headaches and vision problems. On the other hand, tumors that raise hormone levels can create health issues tied to the hormone they produce.
For example, a tumor that secretes too much ACTH which then stimulates the adrenal glands to make cortisol can cause Cushing's disease, a state of cortisol excess associated with weight gain, muscle weakness, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and an increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, fractures and blood clots in the blood vessels of legs and lungs. A tumor that produces too much prolactin can cause menstrual problems (in women) and decreased sex drive, problems with fertility and low bone mineral density with increased risk for fractures in both men and women.
Diagnosis and Risk Factors
For nonfunctional tumors, you may only find out that you have this kind of tumor when it shows up on an unrelated MRI or when the tumor has grown large enough to compress the surrounding structures causing headaches, visions problems and symptoms of hormonal deficiency (due to compression of the normal pituitary cells). Functional tumors can present with symptoms of hormonal excess, as described above, but they can still be difficult to diagnose, as many of these symptoms can have other possible causes with overlap between various disorders and the diagnosis is often best made at a tertiary referral center.
Unfortunately, experts don’t know exactly what causes pituitary tumors. Some very rare genetic disorders can make them more likely, but these are associated with symptoms of other components of the syndrome as well. Most tumors have no apparent cause and therefore at present there is no known way to prevent them.
How Pituitary Tumors Are Treated
Some pituitary tumors require surgical resection. If this is needed, the doctors treating you will first need to correct your hormone levels to ensure you are safe during the operation. Following the procedure, you may need to have radiation therapy or take medication to treat any residual tumor and regulate your hormone levels.
That said, not all pituitary tumors need surgery. Asymptomatic small tumors can simply be observed. Also, there are medical treatments available for some tumors, such as those that produce prolactin.
Final Thought
If you have symptoms such as headaches, vision problems, sudden weight gain or menstrual problems, you need to reach out to a center that has experience with handling pituitary tumors. Experienced teams can formulate a treatment plan using different approaches that is optimal for you.
Finally, if your pituitary tumor requires surgical intervention, it is imperative to engage a surgeon who has experience with pituitary tumors. When in doubt, talk to your physician. They can help you with answers to your questions, guidance or a referral.
Click below to request a Pituitary Center appointment.
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