Winter and Dry Skin

Winter and dry skin are like two peas in a pod.  When you have one, you generally have the other.  As the temperature and the humidity go down, your skin dries out and begins to itch, flake and chap.  Diabetics have an even more difficult time since their condition tends to make the skin dry no matter what the weather is like.  Much of the dryness, itching and chapping can be prevented with simple steps.
Often people make the situation worse by trying to treat their skin with long, hot baths or showers.  Unfortunately, prolonged or excessive bathing will remove the natural oils, which are necessary to protect the skin and to reduce the rate of water evaporation from the skin.
Another common mistake is the use of soaps, bubble bath, washcloths and scrubbing gloves.  Soap and bubble bath remove the natural protective oils and washcloths and scrubbing gloves scrape away what nature intended to keep your skin healthy.  Unless your skin is particularly dirty, plain water is the only thing you should use.  Never apply hand sanitizers to any part of your body except the surface of your palms and fingers.  The alcohol in these products is very drying to the skin.  Some companies have made body cleansers, which contain moisturizers.  Experiment with these body cleansers to see if they work for you. And use them sparingly.
After you bathe or shower, use a soft towel to dry yourself and then apply a moisturizing cream to the areas that give you problems so that you lock in residual moisture and prevent drying and scaling.
If your skin condition worsens to the point that you develop eczema, see your general practitioner or dermatologist.
Article by Bill Keeney, owner of Beauty Creams and Lotions