Winter Skin Blues

Sorted under health on December 15, 2009

No one is really immune to a classic case of winter blues; when you live in a northernish state known for brutal winters while all other seasons last a good few weeks and no more, you become quite used to more dark than light and a day when you wake up in the morning and there isn’t snow on the ground is an odd one. But this winter has brought a whole new slew of problems on me this year. Winter skin blues.

First and foremost, we had our first good snowfall where all you could see outside is white on October 16th. The middle of October! No nice colorful leaves of autumn goodness, but snow. You can see a picture of that below:

October snow

So that alone was a great indicator that this winter would be bad.

My gene pool pretty much sucks, to say the least. In addition to the fact that I live with Periodontal Disease and my father as well as my grandmother suffered through the same dental ailments; my grandmother had dentures at 17 years old and my father had them at 45, and I can pretty much assume I will have them by the time I’m 30 or so, if I’m lucky. My father, sister, as well as myself also have a wonderful case of stress-induced psoriasis. As soon as stress creeps up into our lives, bam! my hands break out with itchy, bumpy rashes. But apparently that was not enough because as soon as winter set in here in Pennsylvania, my skin went completely downhill and spazzed out!

For a few weeks I had a wonderful case of eczema. After numerous oatmeal baths and weeks of applying cortizone cream and hydrating lotions to my legs, arms and stomach, it healed and went away. After a few days of thinking Hooray, it’s gone! I am victorious! Take that, skin! it got below freezing outside for a few days, we had more snow and freezing rain, black ice, the whole brutal winter thing and then my left arm broke out in a rash that turned into what looks like blood vessels that had burst. I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that for the past few weeks I have Googled every infection, disease, cancer, everything that could result in disgusting rashes. At the end of my “research,” all I have to do is wait out this horrendous winter weather while feverishly applying prescription creams and hydrating and moisturizing lotions and keep my stress level down or I’ll have even more skin issues to deal with.

Fun! Thank you, winter!



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  • Good article. Thanks for sharing post.
  • pearpandas
    Hi, I used to have a wicked case of adult acne as well (like the worst I've ever seen on anyone over 20!) But I got rid of it through diet changes and exercise. In all my research, I learned that vitamin D plays a huge roll in skin health, also why my skin got better in the summer. I would say start taking a lot of vitamin D! Like at least 4000IUs/day. I take 10000IUs. Researchers are saying that that level is safe, and I think it would help your skin problems!

    Steph
  • It's funny that you should bring up Vitamin D. My partner did a ton of research on Vitamin D over the past month or so; has watched videos of researchers and professionals and read all he could get his hands on and saw the tremendous benefits Vitamin D supplements will have on you so we started taking it. I have been taking 6,000IUs a day and you're right, my skin did clear up a significant amount and I also noticed I'm a lot happier and stress-free when I take it, which I wasn't expecting.

    So thank you for your comment and for recommending Vitamin D; I'd recommend anyone take it considering its enormous list of benefits!
  • I’m really impressed with your article, such great information you mentioned here, thanks for your sharing and waiting to see your future posts.Picture you have posted here is really very good.
  • Nice article.
    great pic of winter wonderland. thanks for sharing..
  • It is beautiful to view pictures of winter...but it is quite difficult experiencing extreme winter
  • My mood has always been very much influenced by the weather and over the years, cold weather hasn't been much of a good influence. Don't get me wrong. I truly enjoy visiting the snow but do not want to live in it. I think the idea of cold weather, snow and fire places is much more romantic than the real thing.
  • Winter...This is such a beautiful thing to enjoy. I really like this season very much. But in this season there is very cold and dry out side. It affects our skin and body...Thanks a lot for sharing.
  • bioidenticaldoctors
    The older I get, the less I can stand winter. November approaches, the season of bare trees and grey skies and the winds bring in the cold air. Each approaching winter season, I don't know if I can survive another winter. How will I make it through this one. Best to stay snuggled up indoors and pile on the moisturizers and eat and drink something hot and cozy. And start planning your winter vacation to a southern destination where you can enjoy and escape for a week or two.
  • The older I get the less happy I am with winter. Thanks for making me feel better about my evil winter skin. When's summer coming?
  • Great! We got the first snow on weekend too in Germany!

    Best regards
    Wandtattoo
  • peteroussin
    it is hot in florida and i look forward to winter but that is depressing!
  • AlyssainSF
    Bummer about bodily issues. I've been blessed with a crappy body as well: lovely adult acne, Periodontal Disease, Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia, etc.

    Good luck. Try to take comfort that other people out there are suffering with you. A big silent, itchy, achey army.
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