Older skin is especially prone to drying out during winter months
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
If you or someone you love is “of a certain age,” they may experience ongoing dry skin during the winter.
“Older adults tend to have dry skin,” said physician Ahmed Rab, lead physician at Rochester Regional Health’s Unity Geriatric Associates. “The amount of fat in their skin is reduced. It used to keep the moisture in.”
The low humidity during winter worsens the effect and can lead to flaky, itchy skin that can crack and allow infection through the compromised area.
Rab recommended trying a humidifier to help, as well as staying well-hydrated. Skip alcohol and caffeine as these can contribute to dryer skin.
How the skin is treated also matters.
“Use gentle cleansing practices,” Rab said. “Certain soaps can cause dry skin.”
Deodorant soap, abrasive formulations or heavily scented soap are common culprits. Instead, try emollient-based cleansers with lukewarm water. Rab said that hot water increases irritation. Take shorter showers and pat skin dry—don’t rub—afterwards.
Apply moisturizer after the shower to help lock in moisture. Ask for help or use a long-handled scrubber to apply in hard-to-reach areas.
“When we’re older, we’re more likely to lose water through our skin because of thinning,” said Christopher J. Norman, registered nurse and associate medical director at Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) of Central New York in East Syracuse. Norman is certified as a geriatric nurse practitioner, advanced practice holistic nurse and in other geriatric care specialties.
He encourages older adults to build moisturizing into the routine to help keep skin soft. For example, placing a container of hand cream near the sink can serve as a handy reminder to apply it after handwashing. It’s also helpful to carry along a moisturizer to apply when out all day.
Although many products claim that they’re best for moisturizing, in general, the thicker the better. Petroleum jelly such as Vaseline is the thickest. Many country folks swear by the off-label human use of Bag Balm, an udder ointment for cows. In addition to petrolatum, Bag Balm contains lanolin, a notable moisturizer, paraffin wax as a binding agent and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, an antiseptic ingredient that can help heal cracks in chapped skin.
To avoid a mess, use petroleum jelly-based products at bedtime and wear gloves and grippy socks to protect the bedding. Avoid using moisturizers on the feet unless wearing footwear. Norman also cautioned against using bath oil, as it can contribute to a higher fall risk.
Thick cream suffices at other times of the day.
“Use something unscented as a base layer,” Norman said. “Some older adults can have different sensitivities which can cause itching and dryness.”
Brands such as CeraVe, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter and Aquaphor are all excellent for taming dry winter skin.
Protect skin from exposure to cleaning chemicals and dishwater with latex gloves and wear gloves when outside.