Itching In Winter or Cold Weather Causes & Remedies

As winter’s chill sets in, you may find your skin feeling extra dry, even a little more irritated.

It’s a common condition for many – it seems that as soon as the warm weather makes an exit, many of our skin types tend to lose the ability to retain moisture. This often leads to itching in winter and can commonly manifest as a rash.

Itching in winter is a very common skin condition, but without treatment, it can be a somewhat chronic problem, persisting all winter long.

It’s easily treatable, though. And Vaseline has developed a range of clinical care products, designed to be extra kind to skin that suffers in cold weather.

Let’s talk about this condition here and pinpoint some possible causes, and treatments to keep you comfortable in the skin you’re in when things get chilly.

What causes itching during winter or cold weather?

A drop in humidity, icy winds, frosty air – these all can be very harsh on the skin, effectively depriving it of its moisture-retaining abilities, and then that’s exacerbated as we gravitate toward heated rooms, fireplaces, and moisture-draining air conditioners.

It’s no wonder then, that many struggle with dry, uncomfortable skin in the colder months.

In essence, though, it boils down to skin being stripped of its natural oils in the cold weather, and then that being made worse by skin conditions, soaps, bleaches, and detergents, even stress and fatigue.

Why is winter itch worse at night?

Winter itch tends to be worse at night due to several factors. Firstly, during the night, our body's natural circadian rhythm causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin, leading to reduced moisture and a compromised skin barrier. 

This makes the skin more susceptible to dryness and itching. Additionally, the decrease in ambient temperature at night can further exacerbate dryness and strip the skin of its natural oils. 

The combination of these factors creates an environment where the skin is more prone to itching and irritation, making winter itch worse at night. To combat this, using deep moisturisers like Vaseline's clinical care products can help replenish the skin's moisture and provide relief from winter itch.

Winter itch symptoms and treatment

Winter itch symptoms

A winter rash can manifest as any of these symptoms:

• Flaking
• Itching
• Bumpiness
• Redness
• Swelling
• Cracks in the Skin

Those suffering from winter itch symptoms, may experience these in localised areas – hands, arms, and legs, most commonly. But in severe cases, these can be felt in almost any other area of the body.

Winter itch treatment

There are a number of natural treatments you can try, to get some relief:

• Natural oils, like coconut oil and olive oil – these can work to put moisture back into the skin to soothe irritation
• Certain types of natural soaps – like oatmeal-infused, for example – work to soothe and moisturise
• A milk bath (yes, you read that right) – milk’s chemical make-up lends deep moisturising qualities to the skin.

Winter itch treatment by Vaseline

For every other instance, though, Vaseline’s range of deep body moisturisers and skin rescue treatments should be your go-to. Each is formulated to add moisture back into sapped, sore and irritated skin.

Try these solutions:

Vaseline Blue Seal Original Petroleum Jelly is triple purified to lock in moisture for protection against the dryness that causes itching.

Vaseline Clinical Care Atopi Rescue Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin

Vaseline Clinical Care Atopi Rescue Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin is formulated with our Repair ComplexTM and added petroleum jelly to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and protect against dry skin.

Vaseline Intensive CareTM Advanced Repair Moisturising Body Cream

Vaseline Intensive CareTM Advanced Repair Moisturising Body Cream moisturises deeply, and with our Advanced Repair technology, it’s clinically proven to repair very dry skin in 5 days.

So, fend off that winter dryness with these deep moisturising solutions from Vaseline, and stay ever comfortable in the skin you’re in, even when the weather gets chilly.

Click here to browse our full range of clinical care moisturising products.