A new study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology finds that slightly cold temperatures may worsen itch from allergic reaction and skin inflammation. The researchers reported that intense cold has been known to reduce the itch response, but slight cold, especially in cases where the temperature changes from normal, to slightly cold, back to normal actually makes itchiness worse.
This has important consequences for people experiencing skin allergies, irritation, dry skin, or more advanced skin inflammation, such as in eczema, because this means that physically moving through various temperatures can make itchiness better or worse.
This would be especially important to keep in mind during winter months, where skin allergy sufferers may be moving from warm air to cold air, back to warm air.
This change in temperature, combined with dry, cold air, and winter fabrics such as wool, acrylic, and knit can make dry skin and eczema symptoms worse.
If you live in a place with a cold season, be sure to keep your skin well hydrated, and to avoid multiple, rapid temperature changes. This will reduce the itchiness factor.
Filed under General Skin Care Information by 
Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) impacts more than 6 million people each year, many of whom seek medical relief for their itchiness. Dermatitis can be triggered by any number of skin conditions, common household ingredients, or animals.
People can get dermatitis, for instance, when they come in contact with mosquitos, snails, lice, poison ivy, poison oak, or when they have dry skin or staph infections. Skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and sunburn can also increase the itchy factor. Finally stress and too frequent use of antibacterial soaps can also increase the scratchiness quotient.
What causes our need to itch?
Put simply, some of our nerves are responsive to itchiness. Histamine, the protein released in our bodies during an allergic reaction, tells our itchy nerves to send information to the spinal cord, and, ultimately, the brain. Our brain activates certain sites in our brain; these are similar to the ones which are activated when we’re in pain.
Antihistamines (commonly prescribed for allergies and itches) ‘turn off’ the signal from the skin’s surface to the brain. New research says there are other types of nerve-itchy fibers than just the histamine ones, and that these recently discovered fibers may be responsible for the itch associated with more chronic conditions.
This new research suggests that people may scratch because, by doing so, this stimulates pleasure systems in the brain.
Too much scratching, though, can leave your skin broken, bleeding, and unable to provide its normal barrier to the environment.
So the point of the story? A little scratching is ok, too much is not.
Filed under The Latest Skin Care News by
I’ve long suspected that the Europeans know some thing about skincare that they’re just not sharing with us folks across the pond. One of their secrets- just recently come to America- is thermal water.
Thermal water, as it sounds, comes from natural hot springs in Europe. These waters naturally carry minerals like selenium and sulfur; and they are free of chlorine and other chemicals.
The European thermal springs have a long-lived reputation for health and healing benefits. You may have heard of the English city of Bath, which was famous for its therapeutic springs. People would travel from all over to “take the waters” for better physical, emotional, and mental health.
Similarly, in the Roman times, thermal water was prized for its various benefits.
But just because thermal water might be good for your skin, is it a skin do or a skin don’t? Professional opinion says that certain minerals can be good for your skin, serving to reduce redness and inflammation. Some of these minerals may even help in treatments of skin problems like eczema. However, at the same time, for some people, the minerals in thermal water may irritate or inflame the skin.
Your best bet? Start with a mineral water spray and work up to using mineral water lotions and creams from there. Mineral water sprays stay on your skin, and can combat skin allergies, skin irritation, and can even soothe sunburn. Sometimes, doctors even use them to calm the skin after cosmetic surgery procedures like chemical peels or micodermabrasion.
Thermal water lotions and creams may be very useful for people who live in arid climates and/or who have sensitive skin. They can be refrigerated for extra soothing and cooling benefits. Don’t spend money on thermal water bath soaks or body cleansers, as these usually rinse off the skin too quickly to provide lasting skin benefits.
Some of the best well known thermal water mineral sprays are Vichy, Evian, and La Roche Posay. Vichy Thermal Spa Water Spray is reasonably inexpensive (about $12 per bottle), and has more than 14 minerals, including calcium, silica, and sulfur. Other brands have different benefits, including the addition of skin boosting water soluble vitamins.
Filed under The Latest Skin Care News by
