Press Releases: Georgia
October 30, 2002
Recognizing November - National Healthy Skin Month
Caring for skin during winter months
ATLANTA, Ga. – The winter season can especially tough for people who suffer from dry skin. Indoor heating and cold winter winds can cause dry, itchy and irritated skin. Kenneth Ellner, MD, chief of Dermatology at Kaiser Permanente, says with proper care though, the condition can be controlled.
The drying effects of bathing and soaps
Bathing and the use of soaps increase dry skin conditions. Washing the skin removes natural oils and makes dry skin much worse. Soap should be used minimally and only when and where needed (for example, under the arms, the groin, and feet). Dr. Ellner recommends milder, less drying soaps such as Dove, Oil of Olay or Aveeno Cleansing Bar for Dry Skin.
Also avoid long hot showers and baths as these will also increase the loss of natural oils. After bathing or showering, quickly pat dry and immediately (within three minutes of getting out of the water) apply a moisturizer to seal the water in the skin before it evaporates.
Types of moisturizers
There are many types of moisturizers available but generally speaking, the greasier the moisturizer, the more it holds water in and lubricates the skin. Cetaphil, Vaseline, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, Plastibase, Eucerin, and Aquaphor are examples of this type of moisturizer. Oils such as baby oil, mineral oil, vegetable oil, and bath oil can also be used and should be applied shortly after bathing.
Lotions are cosmetically more elegant and nicer to use, said Dr. Ellner, but less effective than ointments or creams as moisturizers. The use of skin moisturizers and lubricants, he stressed is a major part of treating many skin diseases.
"Moisturizers and lubricants will reduce the desire to scratch and also act as a partial protective barrier, or shield, to prevent contact with germs," said Dr. Ellner. "To be effective, it is recommended that you use a lubricant at least two or more times a day."
If you would like to speak to Dr. Ellner about winter skin care, please contact Matthew Grund at (404) 364-7074.
Kaiser Permanente is the state of Georgia's largest nonprofit health plan, serving the health care needs of Atlanta metro area residents for 22 years. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc. currently provides comprehensive health care services to approximately 275,000 members through 15 medical facilities in a 28-county service, and a network of affiliated hospitals and physicians. The Health Plan provided more than $5 million in community benefit programs and services.
