Central heating and heavy duvets can aggravate skin problems. While dry and itchy skin is uncomfortable for everyone, for customers with sensitive skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis, the result can be much more difficult to control.

The bad news is, that low humidity caused by central heating, air conditioning and reduced fresh air is even more prevalent during the winter months leaving skin dry, irritated and itchy. This dryness and irritation is even more noticeable after showering or bathing as the skin’s natural moisture level has been reduced through washing and abrasion.

Dr Baillie-Hamilton also feels that “Central heating can also dry out the skin worsening the eczema and woollen, heavy clothes can irritate it as can the increased use of bubblebaths and toiletries which contain SLS and parabens as they are known to aggravate the skin.”

So try to reduce your heating by 2-3C which you’ll barely notice in warmth but you will notice on your skin. Where possible, advise open windows for a few minutes every day to allow fresh air into your home or office.

Rehydrate skin throughout the day with elave intensive cream.