1. Identify General Itching and Dry Skin
For your skin, winter's wonderland weather brings with it two distinct offenders: dry air and cold temperatures. Both of these cause your skin to lose moisture, thus creating irritation. If your skin is generally itchy with no other symptoms (such as blisters, rashes or redness) it is probably xerosis (dry skin) caused by your environment in general. Low humidity, frequent or hot showers and baths, and extreme environmental changes such as going back and forth from heated buildings to cold, dry, windy outdoor air can all cause your skin to dry out and feel itchy.
2. Consider Allergies as the Cause
If your eyes, nose and throat are itching along with your skin during the winter, allergies may be the culprit. Allergies can intensify in winter due to being in confined spaces for long periods without much fresh air. You may also become more sensitive to dust and dust mites, animals, perfumes and mold. Another possibility is that a new allergy may have developed. Have you been exposed to a new food, cosmetic (including perfume), soap, chemical or clothing material (such as wool)?
3. Get Help From Your Doctor
If your skin is itching more intensely than ever, despite your efforts to quell it, there may be other factors at play and a visit to your doctor is a good idea. Before you make your appointment, however, go over everything you can to determine possible causes. Try to narrow down when you are most itchy and where on your body you are most affected. Are you pregnant? If you are, it is very common to have itchy skin, especially on your belly, breasts, arms and thighs. Also, remember that any pre-existing skin conditions can worsen during pregnancy.
If you are taking a new medication (such as narcotic pain, antibiotics or antifungal drugs), find out if itchy skin is a possible side effect, as drugs can cause rashes and itching over a large area. Independent of weather changes skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, scabies, lice, chickenpox and hives will cause itchy skin, accompanied by bumpy, blistery skin or redness. These skin conditions will usually be found in certain areas and not all over.
If the itchy skin is all over your body but tends to look normal, it may indicate a variety of internal diseases, from thyroid or kidney problems to liver or celiac disease, iron deficiencies or cancer. If all other causes have been ruled out, only your doctor can help diagnose what the disease or condition may be.
