Do you struggle with itchy skin during the cold winter months? We asked two dermatologists to explain why this happens and what you can do to prevent it.

Welcome back to Just Curious, Strong Women’s weekly series exploring all the random health and fitness questions you’ve always wondered about but never got the answers to.

This week, we’re asking why some people experience skin itchiness during periods of cold weather and what, if anything, can be done about it.

It may (finally) be sunny outside, but if the frigid temperatures we’ve seen over the last week are anything to go by, winter is far from over. And as well as spelling bad news for your heating bill, the cold weather we’re having can wreak havoc on your skin.

We’re not just talking about how dry and dull your facial skin gets at this time of year, either. For some people, the cold weather can lead to excessive itchiness and irritation, especially on the arms and legs. In some cases, this itchiness can even lead to welts and hives.

But what’s driving this reaction, and is there anything you can do to stop this kind of winter itchiness? We put that question to a group of dermatologists – here’s what they said. 

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