Managing winter skin conditions
Emollients to optimise skin moisture content and restore the damaged epidermis form the basis of managing ‘winter skin’, often in combination with other approaches such as antihistamines for itching skin. The NHS recommends lip balms containing petroleum jelly or beeswax for sore or dry lips, and to cover the lips with a scarf if outside in cold weather.27
For chilblains (perniosis), NHS advice is to avoid being outside when its cold or damp, and to use warm waterproof clothing, gloves and thick warm socks if having to go out in such conditions.28
Chilblains are itchy and/or inflamed nodules of skin usually occurring on the fingers and toes as a reaction to the cold. They arise from vasoconstriction of the deep cutaneous arterioles while the smaller peripheral vessel dilate, so advise the patient to avoid vasoconstrictor medicines or compounds such as decongestants, caffeine or nicotine.29