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Winter Skin Conditions

Spring weather may be on the way, but warmer days could be a long time coming which is especially difficult our skin. The consistent dryness of our indoor heat coupled with the coolness in the air can be exhausting on our skin. The two most inflamed skin conditions during the winter months are psoriasis and eczema. The cold weather tends to strengthen itchy, irritated patches. Here are a few facts about each:

Psoriasis causes severe skin inflammation due to overly active inflammatory pathways. Psoriatic skin cells are produced and mature too quickly. This tends to appear on the hairline, elbows and kneecaps.

Eczema and psoriasis can look very similar, but there are many differences. Eczema includes a decreased effectiveness of the skin’s ability to heal from external elements. Additionally, skin with eczema tends to lose hydration and become dry easily.

If you suspect you may have eczema, psoriasis, or just very dry skin, call Knoxville Dermatology Group at (865)690-9467 to schedule an appointment with a practitioner.

Dandruff – the White Flakes You Don’t Want to See this Winter

 

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos

Winter brings a lot of woes our way – colds and sore throats, escalated heating bills and snow-pocalypses. But one woe that hits even closer to home is dandruff. These flakes unfortunately don’t bring a day off of work, but they are easy to treat.

Dandruff is actually a common condition characterized by an itchy scalp and white, oily-looking flakes. The condition can worsen during the winter months because of the lack of humidity in the air and indoor heating. Dandruff can occur any time of the year, depending on a variety of factors, so getting it taken care of this winter will have you ready when spring blooms begin to appear.

It’s typically associated with dry skin, but irritated and oily skin encourages dandruff more by creating a buildup of dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Buildup can be caused by excessive product usage or even infrequent washing. Diet and age can have a major influence on dandruff’s severity as well. Adding more zinc and vitamin B to your diet should help. Our physicians are a great source for feedback when dealing with skincare changes. With proper treatment, the only white flakes you’ll see this winter are the ones outside for making snow angels.

What You May Not Know about Winter Sun Exposure

spf30

This temperature drop really has us re-evaluating our time spent out of the comfort of our warm home. We make a plan of attack and run from our car to the grocery store, to work, etc.  But one thing we shouldn’t run from is our daily sunscreen application, EVEN on a cloudy and frigid day.

It’s easier to remember to protect your skin during the spring and summer. The sun’s rays hit your skin, and the warmth is a nice reminder to lather on the protective lotions. But when you’re bundled up and facing the polar vortex, it’s really hard to remember what that warmth feels like on your skin – and all too easy to forget that you still need some SPF defense against the sun’s harmful rays.

Your face and neck are still exposed to UV rays as the ozone layer thins out during the winter months. This causes UVA and UVB rays to become even more harmful to your skin. And if we get another bout of snow, the sun’s rays are reflected on the glistening white dusting and ice. So remember to protect your skin from sun and weather burn with SPF 30 at least 30 minutes before heading outside.

While our winter coats and layers are likely to protect most of our skin, we should still take care of the skin we’re in. Switch to creamier moisturizers during the dry winter months. Just because you go outside, away from the fireside’s glow, doesn’t mean your skin has to lose its healthy glow. We’ll help your skin look cozy, inside or outside, this winter.

Call us today at 865-690-9467 for help with your winter skincare routine or if you have any questions about your skin. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Dry Skin Fixes

water

A winter wonderland may come to mind when you realize that we’re only a month and a half away from Christmas. Or you may think about the temperature dropping and the lack of moisture in the air killing your skin. The upcoming weather shift makes your skin thirsty for moisture, so what can you do?

One of the first things you can do that may seem counterintuitive is to turn down the heat in your shower. Sure, it feels like a heavenly spa experience. But the hot water sucks out all the moisture from your skin, leaving it even thirstier than before. Warm showers are fine, but just be sure to apply a thick layer of creamy moisturizer afterwards.

Nourish your body from the inside out. Start by drinking the daily recommended amount of water. If you can sneak in a few more cups, that’s even better! Not only will your skin thank you, but your organs will love the water intake too.

It’s important to update your skincare and makeup products with each new season. For winter, start incorporating creamier washes, foundations, blushes, etc. You can even mix some of your favorite moisturizer with your foundation or concealer for a nice, smooth, even coverage.

Before you overhaul your skincare products, it’s important to talk to a certified dermatologist about what products work best for your skin type. Call your Knoxville Dermatology team and schedule an appointment to get the best skin of your life.

If you have any questions about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Don’t Flake on Me! – Dealing with Dandruff

When winter hits, moisture seems scarce. We lather on our heavy creams, turn on our humidifiers, ease up on the hot showers, but sometimes dry, flaky skin makes an appearance. It’s not fun at all dealing with dry skin and dealing with it on your scalp can be especially frustrating.

Dandruff is a common condition, but a nuisance nonetheless. Characterized by an itchy scalp and white, oily-looking flakes, dandruff can worsen this time of year due to the lack of humidity in the air and indoor heating. It can be caused by dry skin, irritated and oily skin, not shampooing enough and sensitivity to hair products, but it can sometimes be triggered by stress or fatigue.

Diet and age can have a major influence on its severity. Adding more zinc and vitamin B to your diet should help. Our physicians are a great source for feedback when deciding what hair care products to use and what ingredients to avoid.

During the holidays, or anytime throughout the year, skin health should be taken seriously. Please call us today at 865-690-9467 if you have any questions about your skincare routine or changes in your skin. Schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

It’s Not What You Think – Cold Sores

Dry, cracked lips are a common winter nuisance that can be remedied with a good lip balm. Another winter nuisance is a cold sore.

Cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus usually enters the body through a break in the skin around the mouth- perhaps the reason why cold sores are more common in the winter. They can and will spread so be sure to kill the kissing until your cold sore heals.

Symptoms usually include pain around your mouth. In certain cases you may have a sore throat or swollen glands. After the blister appears, it will usually break open, leak fluid, and crust over until it disappears within 2 weeks. Cold sores will heal on their own, but you can find ointments and skin creams to speed up the process if you’re uncomfortable or embarrassed.

The winter months require us to become extra attentive to our skin. Now is the time to start wearing thicker moisturizers with sunscreen, exfoliating weekly and paying special attention to our face and lips.

If you have any questions about cold sores or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.