Tips to Avoid the Winter “Itch”

By Dr. Jerry Bagel
 

It’s certainly not new news that the winter leaves everyone with dry, chapped and cracked skin, but for those suffering from eczema, winter can unleash a whole other beast on your skin. Eczema is a common inflammation of the skin that is not contagious, but is extremely uncomfortable for those who suffer from it. 

Common exacerbations of eczema include an allergic reaction to something in contact with the skin such as detergents, soaps, fabrics or substances that dry out the skin. Some types of eczema are hereditary.

Here are some tips for eczema sufferers to get through the “itchy” season:

1. It’s better to take a bath rather than a shower as the skin hydrates better. When bathing, put Aveno powder into the bath to help soothe the skin and soak for 15-20 minutes.

2. If you do not have a tub or do not care for baths, take a lukewarm shower (it’s important to make sure the water is not too hot or too cold). Use moisturizing soaps like Dove or Cetaphil.

3. After your bath or shower, gently pat skin dry.      

4. Immediately after patting skin dry, apply a moisturizing cream—not lotion

5.  Moisturize using Eucerin a few times a day (typically in the morning and at night) to help keep your skin hydrated.

6. Avoid wool clothing, as it will trigger itching.

7. Wear layered clothing to keep your body temperature moderate. You never want to get overheated or be too cold, as this will cause eczema flare-ups.

8. Take a Benadryl at night if you can’t seem to stop itching, but beware, Benadryl will make you sleepy or groggy.

It’s important to note that the physicians at Windsor Dermatology can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to manage or diagnose eczema. For more information, Windsor Dermatology can be reached at 609-443-4500 to schedule an appointment.

Debunking Myths About Acne

By Brian Keegan, M.D., Ph.D.

Acne is the most common skincare problem seen by doctors—nearly everyone will deal with acne in their lifetime. Because of acne’s unsightly appearance, patients will turn to a number of seemingly fast and easy solutions. But let’s take a closer look at the real causes of acne and the right way to treat it.

Myth #1: “Acne is caused by eating chocolate.”

Truth: Acne is caused by sticky cells that don't exfoliate properly. This leads to clogged pores which are seen as comedones (skin colored bumps) and blackheads. When these pores are colonized with the bacteria P. acnes painful white heads and cysts will develop, which can lead to scarring. There are a few studies that suggest eating chocolate can enhance this process, however no solid evidence has led the medical community to make a decisive conclusion. It does, however, make logical sense that a healthy diet will contribute to healthy skin.

Myth #2: “Only teenagers get acne.” 

Truth: Hormones tend to accentuate the process by which acne appears, making its occurrence worse during teenage years. But, it is not exclusive to patients under 20. Many adults continue to experience acne, particularly women.

Myth #3: “All you need is a good over-the-counter treatment to cure acne.” 

Truth: We are all looking for quick, easy and effective treatments so we turn to over-the-counter products. These contain two active ingredients, salicylic acid to unclog pores and benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria. But everyone’s skin is different. The best course of action is to schedule a consultation with a Windsor Dermatology physician to determine the treatment plan that’s right for your skin. 

Myth #4: “Acne medications are too harsh and have too many adverse side effects.”  

Truth: Historically, acne medications were very harsh to the skin or caused significant stomach irritation, however, significant improvements have been made with more recent medications. If your skin is irritated at first, you should see improvements after the first couple of weeks. Typical side effects associated with short-term and long-term use of medications are redness, scaling, dryness, stinging and burning where applied. A non-comedogenic moisturizer can help if your skin becomes dry. Unless major discomfort occurs, it’s best to keep using your medications to make sure you’re on the right path. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you have major discomfort or if you have any questions or issues. 

Our physicians have experience with the most up to date medications including:

Over-the-counter washes: Salicylic acid 2%  (Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash), benzoyl peroxide (Clean and Clear Continuous Control, Proactiv)

·        Over-the-counter moisturizers: Cetaphil, CeraVe

·        Topical antibiotics: Aczone, Duac, Acanya, Plexion, Rosula

·        Topical retinoids: Ziana, Differin, Epiduo, Veltin, Tretin X, Tazorac, Atralin, Retin-A Micro

·        Oral Antibiotic: Solodyn, Doryx, Minocin, Oracea

·        Oral Retinoids: Accutane, isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Sotret, Claravis)

·        Oral Contraceptives: Orthotricyclin, Estrostep, Yaz

Myth #5: “If I just wash my face a lot and use a lot of medication, it will speed up the healing process.”

Truth: Use a mild, soap-free, fragrance-free cleanser and wash gently, morning and night. There’s no need to wash more than twice a day, and you don’t want to scrub hard. Also avoid alcohol-based cleansers, which can actually cause irritation and aggravate acne.

Using more won’t speed things up (sorry!), and it’s not a good idea to spot-treat. Stick with the right amount and stay consistent. It’s best to use your medications at the same time every day to help you stay in the routine and it’s important to not skip days. You should always follow your doctor’s instructions, but typically pumping a pea-sized amount onto your hand and spreading it evenly across your face works perfectly.

Myth #6: “If I pop the acne pimple, it will go away quicker.”

We know it’s tempting, but when you squeeze or pick at pimples, you can actually push the infection deeper into your skin and make matters worse. It can even cause scarring. Not good! Your best bet is to leave your pimples alone the best you can.

Let us help you figure out the best course of action to treat your acne. Schedule a consultation with a Windsor Dermatology physician today by calling 609-443-4500.