In winter, in addition to colds and flu, there is also a kind of "itchy" worry that may quietly "come knocking on the door". Recently, many netizens have posted seeking help: "Dry calves, red and itchy when scratched", "Itching all over the body after taking a shower"... "This may be dry eczema." Wu Zhiqiang, director of the dermatology department and chief physician of Changsha Fourth Hospital (Changsha Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital), said that the self contradictory name "dry eczema" is a special type of eczema that often occurs in the cold and dry winter, and it is important to keep the skin moist. The increase of eczema in winter is not caused by "dampness". "It's too itchy, and taking a hot bath doesn't work either. Doctor, with the sun shining these days and dry weather, how could eczema still occur? ”Recently, as soon as Mr. Li, who is over seventy years old, stepped into the dermatology department of the hospital, he poured out bitter water to the attending doctor. He rolled up his sleeves and pants, only to see large patches of eczema on the front of his calves, the inner side of his thighs, and the forearms of both hands, with blood faintly seeping through his clothes. As soon as winter arrived this year, my calves became dry and flaky, like fish scales. In order to relieve itching, I took frequent hot baths, but the itching became even more severe. I had to scratch hard before going to bed every day to feel comfortable, and I couldn't stand it, "he said. After the doctor's examination, he told him, "What you have is hypolipidemic eczema, also known as dry eczema. It's not that your skin is too damp, but rather that it's too dry." Ms. Li, a citizen, also has the same problem. She said that after taking a shower recently, her calf skin has become drier, itching and peeling when scratched. "Whenever it gets hot, it itches, and I deliberately control the shower time, not exceeding 10 minutes each time." Many netizens have posted asking how to deal with eczema attacks: "Dry calves, red itching and peeling when scratched" "After taking a shower, itching all over the bed"... Wu Zhiqiang said that in winter, the number of eczema visits to the hospital's dermatology clinic will increase. Generally speaking, eczema can be divided into acute eczema, chronic eczema, dry eczema, etc. Winter eczema is mostly dry eczema (also known as hypolipidemic eczema or cracked eczema), mainly characterized by loss of skin moisture, reduced sebum secretion, dryness, fine cracks in the epidermis and stratum corneum, pale red skin, and more obvious red color at the crack site, similar to "broken porcelain". It can occur in multiple parts of the body, but is more common in the limbs. Why is dry eczema more common in winter? Wu Zhiqiang explained that the dry and cold air in winter is like a "water absorbing sponge", constantly taking away moisture from the skin; The low temperature in winter makes sebaceous glands "lazy", the natural protective film becomes thinner, the water locking ability decreases, and the skin barrier becomes more fragile; Taking a shower in winter, overheating water temperature, and frequent cleaning can damage the natural lipid barrier of the skin; Heating equipment not only heats up, but also quietly 'dries' the skin's moisture; Combined with clothing friction, temperature difference stimulation, etc., eczema will come knocking on the door. Judging whether one has dry eczema from three aspects. Many people believe that eczema only occurs in summer, so they often neglect skin care in winter. In fact, in dry environments, some people are prone to developing dry eczema, and the symptoms may be more severe than summer eczema. Among the patients seeking dermatological treatment, the majority are middle-aged, elderly, and children, and this disease is related to their environment and personal condition. ”Wu Zhiqiang stated that the protective film for children's skin is not yet fully developed and is relatively fragile. The sebaceous glands of middle-aged and elderly people have already deteriorated to some extent, and the retention of oil and water has decreased, making them more susceptible to dry eczema. In addition, groups with a history of eczema and dermatitis, office workers who have been in air-conditioned environments for a long time, individuals who frequently wash their hands or come into contact with chemicals, and those who are prone to dry and cracked heels also need to pay attention to moisturizing regularly, otherwise they are prone to developing dry eczema. How to identify if you have dry eczema? According to Wu Zhiqiang, the core symptoms of dry eczema can be judged from the following three aspects: dryness, itching, redness, and desquamation. The skin feels rough and dry to the touch, and after scratching, it will shed small white flakes. In severe cases, it may also have small cracks and a small amount of liquid leakage. The high incidence areas of dry eczema are the calves, elbows, and inner knees, and in infants and young children, it is mostly on the cheeks and neck, which are areas where the skin is prone to dehydration in winter. In terms of the pattern of onset, dry eczema is more itchy when exposed to heat (after entering a heated room or taking a hot bath), and the itching is strongest before bedtime at night. The more you scratch, the redder and drier it becomes, forming a vicious cycle. If the itching is unbearable, you can try two quick methods to relieve it. Cold compress to relieve itching: Wrap a clean towel in an ice pack, or soak the towel in cold water and wring it out. Gently apply it to the itchy area for 10 to 15 seconds, as low temperature can temporarily numb nerves, quickly suppress itching, and relieve skin redness and swelling; Thick application of moisturizing "itch locking": Apply a sufficient amount of mild moisturizing cream to form a "breathable protective film", reduce skin friction and irritation, relieve dryness and itching, repair the skin barrier, and lock in moisture. It should be noted that this disease is difficult to cure and can only be controlled, and may recur in winter. If the skin is dry and accompanied by obvious redness, exudation, or unbearable itching and recurrent attacks, it is recommended to seek medical attention in a timely manner. When dry eczema recurs, it is important to take good care of it. When the skin is itchy, avoid using hot water to wash or scratch it. The hotter it gets, the more it breaks down the skin barrier, making the itching more severe and potentially causing skin exudation. Scratching the skin can easily lead to bacterial infections, leave behind pigmentation, and even develop into chronic eczema. ”Wu Zhiqiang said that if there is mild eczema, it is recommended to focus on care and apply moisturizing cream and vitamin E cream for repair and soothing. Repeated episodes of dry eczema are not due to improper treatment, but rather inadequate care. He suggested the following points: taking a shower should not be excessive, pay attention to gentle cleaning: taking a shower 2-3 times a week in winter is better, the water temperature should be controlled at 37 ℃ to 40 ℃ (not too hot to touch), and the time should not exceed 10 minutes; Try to avoid using strong cleaning products, scrub or acidic products, use less soap and bath balls, and pat dry with a towel after washing (do not rub). Seize the "Golden 3 Minutes": After taking a shower, apply moisturizer within 3 minutes when the skin is slightly moist for the best water locking effect; Try to choose moisturizers containing ingredients such as ceramide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea, Vaseline, squalane, etc. Do not blindly avoid certain foods: do not blindly avoid certain foods, but temporarily avoid foods with clear allergies (such as seafood); Eat more foods rich in vitamin A, such as carrots, spinach, etc., to help repair the skin barrier. Try not to wear tight clothing: It is recommended to wear loose and breathable clothing to avoid tight collars and cuffs that rub against the skin; Thick clothing should be loose as much as possible to reduce pressure on the eczema area. Maintain emotional stability: High stress and irritability can worsen eczema. In winter, it is recommended to spend more time in the sun (before 10am, for 15 minutes each time) to maintain emotional stability and help with skin recovery. Improve environmental humidity: Avoid staying in heated rooms or using heating equipment for long periods of time. Use humidifiers or replace electric blankets with hot water bags. (New Society)