When the weather gets cold, many people start to get skin that feels tight and itchy. In addition, their skin may start to peel, crack or have an ashy appearance. This is caused by dry skin, which is common during the winter months, particularly in areas of the country where the temperature drops below freezing temperatures. However, there are several causes beyond just the cold weather that can contribute to dry, itchy skin in the winter.
One of the biggest contributors to itchy winter skin is turning on the heat in your home or at work. Central heat in particular can dry out the skin, but other types of heat can also make your skin dry out. That's because the increased heat in your home eliminates some of the humidity, causing your skin to lose moisture. As you are exposed to this heat day after day, the dryness and itchiness may get worse.
