Shorter, warm showers ease dry winter skin

DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The weather outside is frightful and a long, hot shower or bath may sound delightful but a U.S. dermatologist advises against the hot shower.

Dr. Erin Welch, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas said skin becomes more dry and itchy in winter as the cold air draws more moisture from the skin but hot water could make things worse.

"Take warm, not hot, showers and try to keep the time spent in the shower to under 5 minutes," Welch said in a statement. "Then apply baby oil or moisturizing cream immediately to the skin after bathing."

Keeping the skin well moisturized, Welch advised, can also help prevent flare ups of skin conditions like atopic dermatitis -- or eczema -- and psoriasis that can become more bothersome in the wintertime. Moisturizing regularly will help prevent itching and flaking, especially as aging skin becomes drier, Welch said.