HPJOS

In Calgary area our humidity in the house hovers between 40 and 45% in the winter months, with a humidifier; before we had that installed 30% humidity was not uncommon and static shocks that could light up a dark room! There is a cream called Glaxalwellbase that you can buy in the stores (comes in a tub) which my father-in-law uses (he has psorisis), and try a bath oil called Oilatum that you can get (although it it sometimes hard to track down over here).

Do check your laundry detergent as someone else suggested there are some rather over-powering perfumes in some of them; we now use the Costco Kirkland brand non-scented/non-dyed and that works just fine.

I feel for you, when I lived in Colorado (8,000+feet above sea level) if I didn't moisturise before going to bed in the winter months I'd itch like crazy!

Good luck Helen

shunter1977

very true

Siouxie

It's called winter itch! The first couple of years I was here I suffered terribly from it, despite chucking on tons of moisturiser (it was mostly my legs and stomach that I had it on). I found the only one that worked for me was Gold Bond. The other thing I would suggest is as soon as you get out of the shower but before you start to dry, chuck on a ton of moisturiser whilst your skin is wet and let yourself air dry.

The one thing I can't stop - despite trying most things - is lips splitting I have 2 splits that open up every night during the winter - gross!

Zoe Bell

Siouxie , you might want to swap brands of lip balm. It must be something to do with the ingredients bit I've found two distinct "types" depending on the brand.

Some feel waxy and kind of work by trapping in the moisture that is already there ( body shop ones feel like this to me) but will actually crack your lips if they are dry to start with and others seem to actually add moisture to drying lips.

If your lips are cracked then obviously you need to try to avoid the first type. Ironically the best lip balm I've found is the one that Ben's dentist give out for free. He regularly steals me a supply. Failing that the Rexall own brand ones are good.

Siouxie

Thank you

I don't tend to use lipbalm too much as it does dry your lips out somewhat over time, good old Vaseline helps a bit but I will have a look at the Rexall ones, so thank you for the advice. My lips split all the time now during the winter and it's really disgusting!

Almost Canadian

I asked my dentist about this and Vaseline was his recommendation too.

Geordie Lass

When my skin gets itchy I use Aveeno - it's great stuff - they do shower gels and all sorts over here.

I use Mary Kay intense moisturising cream on my face (otherwise it itches).

I also had to stop using tide washing detergent - it made my skin go crazy....

I also use body lotion all over every day.

You just have to find the right products - trial and error really.

Dotty P

Okay, a humidifier it is then! Thanks for the advice. Not sure about bathing less though, I'm a clean freak. I don't tend to use soap though, too drying.

There's me using all the fans in the apartment when I'm showering/using the tumble dryer etc. Perhaps I should just let it steam the place up! I just thought it would cause our clothes etc to go mouldy.

Dotty P

Ah ha! I already answered Bats and then looked at your reply. Hmmm.....so it's a bit of a science. I think I'll suggest getting the humidifer then rather than let thr place steam up! Thanks for all the advice!

Dotty P

[QUOTE=HPJOS;10464097]In Calgary area our humidity in the house hovers between 40 and 45% in the winter months, with a humidifier; before we had that installed 30% humidity was not uncommon and static shocks that could light up a dark room! There is a cream called Glaxalwellbase that you can buy in the stores (comes in a tub) which my father-in-law uses (he has psorisis), and try a bath oil called Oilatum that you can get (although it it sometimes hard to track down over here).

Do check your laundry detergent as someone else suggested there are some rather over-powering perfumes in some of them; we now use the Costco Kirkland brand non-scented/non-dyed and that works just fine.

I feel for you, when I lived in Colorado (8,000+feet above sea level) if I didn't moisturise before going to bed in the winter months I'd itch like crazy!

I reckon it's more the humidity thing than the detergent thing to be honest. I spark off everything at the mo....shopping in the supermarket is an electrifying experience and even putting the key in the front door lock causes a spark! And there's me thinking it was just my electrifying personality

Yep, itching is not a good look and I think my OH is getting miffed with me scratching all night

Dotty P

Oh eck! Red veins, lips splitting, scratching like a flea bitten dog....how very attractive moving to Canada can be

iaink

As a general rule the colder it is the less moisture the air will hold, and the harder it is to keep the RH in the comfort zone... there are table/ charts out there that show total actual humidity levels (not relative humidity) with temperature.


50% Relative Humidity means the air is holding 50% of the total moisture it could at that temperature, but in practice the same air by the window which will be at a much lower temperature will be condensing on the window and causing mould or rotted frames... its a balancing act.

Pom_Chch

Hi Dotty P,

My skin is terrible in the UK winter, I dread to think what would happen in Canada!

I use an oil based moisturiser, either Cetraben or Double Base. Try and avoid perfumed moisturisers with loads of chemicals, I find they irritate my skin and make it much more itchy. Here's a trick the doc told me when hands get really dry - before you go to bed rub a layer of moisturiser into your hands and then apply a second layer but do not rub it in totally. Then put some latex gloves over your hands and go to sleep. In the morning they are much less chapped and sore.

Another thing to do is run a bath and add a petroleum jelly type substance. It moisturises your skin all over. Although be careful it makes the tub very slippery!

Good luck!

Pom_Chch

Oops, just realised you were referring to your scalp, not hands! Ah well if anyone has dry hands see above!!!

bats

There's no need to keeep the place full of steam, you need some ventilation as well but those humidifiers can only do so much so you do need to get some water into the air quickly then let the himudifier maintain it. I hate the noise from them and think that the filter things in them throw more mould out into the air. If you have a wood stove put a ketltle or pan on there.