Why Does Hand Eczema Get Worse in Cold Weather? Pictures of Winter Eczema and Prevention Tips

If you have eczema, you know that winter can be an especially hard time for your hands. The colder and drier months can cause eczema flare-ups, leaving your skin feeling itchy and raw.

But it’s not just the cold weather that causes seasonal eczema. Read on to learn about other causes, how to prevent flare-ups before they start, and what to do if your eczema does flare. 

What does hand eczema look like?

Eczema on the hands can appear like dry, scaly, or thickened patches or bumps. In fair skin, eczema is usually pink or red, and in darker skin it can be violet, brown, or white. Sometimes, deep painful cracks can appear on the palms or fingers.

Eczema on the back of the hand can look like violet or white patches or bumps in darker skin.

Eczema on the knuckles and back of the hand can look like red or pink patches or bumps in fair skin.

Why does winter weather cause eczema flare-ups?

Most eczema flares happen when the skin gets dry and irritated. This damages the naturally protective skin barrier. During the winter months, the skin is exposed to damage from a wide range of situations, such as: 

• Cold weather 

• Frequent temperature changes, as people go in and out of heated vehicles and buildings

• Low humidity from indoor heat

• Hotter and longer baths and showers

• Irritating winter clothes (think wool scarves and mittens)

• More viral illness, which can worsen eczema

How to prevent winter eczema flare-ups

If you have eczema, a little bit of preparation can go a long way to help prevent winter flare-ups. Keep in mind that each person with eczema is different, so one solution won’t necessarily work for everyone. But working these habits into your daily routine can help stop winter dermatitis before it starts.

Change to a heavier moisturizer 

Use a heavier cream or petroleum-based ointment several times a day, especially right after you bathe. These thicker formulations are better at locking in moisture than thinner, water-based lotions. Make sure your moisturizer is fragrance-free and dye-free to reduce irritation. 

Use a humidifier 

In the winter, heated air is very dry. This can dry out your skin and worsen eczema. A humidifier in your house or bedroom will help put some moisture back in the air and keep your skin from drying out.

Protect your skin and layer natural fibers 

When you do go outside, cover up exposed skin. Wear natural fabrics like cotton or silk. And to help prevent overheating and sweating, dress in layers that you can remove. Wet clothes and sweat can be irritating for eczema, so remove damp clothes as soon as you can, then shower and moisturize if necessary.   

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Avoid very hot water and fragranced soaps 

Use comfortably warm water when you wash your hands, bathe, or shower. Water that’s too hot can dry out your skin and trigger eczema. It’s also important to avoid other irritants, like fragrances and harsh detergents.

Pay special attention to your hands 

To prevent winter hand eczema, keep hand-washing to a minimum. That’s not to say you shouldn’t practice good hand hygiene, though. There are key moments that require you to wash your hands, such as: 

• Before, during, and after preparing, handling, or eating food

• After using the restroom for you or a child, or after handling diapers

• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose

• After caring for or coming into contact with someone who is sick, vomiting, or having diarrhea

• Before and after any intimate or personal care 

• After handling animals, animal food, or animal waste

• When your hands are dirty

Use a soap-free and fragrance-free cleanser, like those from Cetaphil. Moisturize after washing your hands, and do so frequently throughout the day. Avoid hand sanitizers that contain methanol, which can irritate the skin, and apply a moisturizer after using the sanitizer. 

Finally, protect your hands with cotton gloves when going outside. 

Stay healthy 

Viral illnesses can make winter eczema worse, so it’s important to avoid them as much as possible. You can’t avoid all viruses, but you can take steps to lower your risk, like getting the flu vaccine and staying away from people who are sick.  

Check your vitamin D levels

People with eczema may be more likely to have low levels of vitamin D. Some studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may help improve eczema. Talk with your primary care provider before starting anything new because taking too many supplements can also have side effects. 

Have a treatment plan in place 

Visit your dermatologist or primary care provider before winter to get a plan in place for what to do if your symptoms start to trouble you. This way, if you do experience a flare you can treat it immediately before it gets worse.   

Treatment for winter eczema

Prevention is key when it comes to winter eczema. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, your symptoms can flare. If they do, don’t be too hard on yourself. Eczema is a complicated condition, and there may be factors outside of your control.

The first thing to do is reassess how you’re treating your skin. For example, many people don’t moisturize as much as they should during the winter months. Or maybe you never tried using a humidifier. Going back to winter skin care basics may be enough to manage the flare.

If you need a little extra help, you can try over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone for up to 1 week. But if that’s still not enough to manage your symptoms, it may be time to see your primary care provider about adding prescription creams to your treatment plan.

Preventing and treating winter eczema in kids and babies

Eczema is common in children, so winter flare-ups can be a particular challenge for them. Frequent moisturization with ointments or thick creams is the cornerstone of their eczema prevention. 

Beyond the tips above, here are some additional steps you can take to prevent and manage winter eczema in your kids:

• Minimize their itch by using a colloidal oatmeal bath or applying a cool compress to itchy skin.  

• Keep their nails short to help prevent breaking the skin when they scratch.

• Stress can worsen eczema, so try to lower any stress your child (or you) may be experiencing.

• Avoid telling them to stop scratching. This often doesn’t work and can add to their stress.

• Let their teachers know they have eczema so they can moisturize at school if needed.

• For tough flares, use OTC hydrocortisone for up to 1 week. If that doesn’t work, you may need to see a healthcare professional for prescription-strength creams.

When should you get medical care for winter eczema?

If you’re not able to manage your (or your child’s) winter eczema despite the strategies above, it may be time to see your dermatologist or other healthcare professional for additional treatment. 

Other signs that a visit to a healthcare professional is in order include:

• Trouble sleeping

• Uncontrolled itching

• Any signs of infection (like yellow crusting or oozing)

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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