How winter's dry indoor air can make you feel so lousy
Little Itch is a delightfully irritating character in the Little Lulu comics. But the little itch you get from dry skin in the winter is anything but delightful -- and can turn into a full-blown dermatological crisis. One survey found that 60% of Americans say their skin is downright unhealthy in the winter.
Dry-as-a-desert indoor air causes moisture to evaporate from your skin. The top layer should be 20% to 35% water, and never below 10%, according to Harvard Medical School. And if it's too dried out, you can develop itchy, flaky skin and wrinkles -- and it can worsen skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea.
But that's not all that dry air can do to your health. It can also trigger ailments like asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and nosebleeds. Folks also report earaches, headaches, dry mouth and itchy eyes. And chronic dehydration can lead to constipation!
One study even found that folks who work in an office with a good level of relative humidity -- around 30%-60% -- were 25% less stressed than folks who worked in an office that was measurably drier. Around 45% humidity seemed optimal for stress relief.
Consider investing in a HEPA filter humidifier for your home, office or bedroom -- use filtered water and clean the reservoir frequently. Apply unscented lotion to your whole body after showering or bathing, avoid too-hot water. Drink plenty of water -- before you feel thirsty. And for more great winter-time health tips, check out "Winter Immunity Kit: Dr. Oz's Tips to Stay Healthy This Season!" on YouTube.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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