Itchy skin cause: The common condition making your legs itch in winter

Winter Skincare with Anna Gardner

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Keeping your complexion on point throughout the winter months isn’t always as straightforward as it might first appear, with windburn, acne, chafing and eczema all popping up more frequently. One problem that seems minimal but is actually a real irritation is the winter itch. Express.co.uk chatted to Chartered Chemist, Chartered Scientist, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and skincare formulator Bruce Green to find out why YOUR skin is itching in winter.

The winter itch, also known as pruritus hiemalis, is a type of subclinical dermatitis that makes your skin itch when it’s cold outside.

Winter is known for causing dry skin, thanks to cold, dry air and central heating, but most people have never even heard of the winter itch.

The winter itch mostly occurs on the legs (specifically the thighs, above and behind the knees, on the calves and around the ankles), but it can pop up on any part of the body.

The winter itch isn’t something you can typically see with your eyes, the skin just looks a little dry.

This condition does not usually affect the hands, feet, face or scalp.

It normally comes on quite suddenly in autumn and winter and clears up in spring and summer.

Unfortunately, dermatologists and doctors haven’t figured out the exact cause of the winter itch.

However, it is thought to be partially caused by dry skin resulting from cold weather.

On top of that, it could be made worse by wearing certain types of materials in the winter such as wool.

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You might have the winter itch without even realising since the severity of the condition varies from mild to severe.

However, some people do experience an extreme version of the problem and it can be extremely distressing and uncomfortable.

Skincare expert Bruce Green said: “The itching sensation can often occur suddenly and is most commonly experienced when clothes are removed, or at night.”

How to cure the winter itch

Scratching is the worst thing to do when you have the winter itch.

You can cause secondary lesions including scratch marks, desquamation, folliculitis and broken hair shafts if you scratch the itch.

Instead, Mr Green recommends a two-pronged approach to beating the winter itch.

He said: “Reduce and soothe the symptoms of winter itch by wearing lighter fabrics indoors that won’t irritate the skin.

“You should also apply a light, fragrance-free moisturiser such as SOS SERUM to hydrate the affected area of the skin and calm and soothe inflammation.”

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