Dr. Christine Gilroy, Zerigo Health’s Chief Medical Officer, knows that every fall brings the same patterns for people living with eczema and psoriasis. Here’s what she recommends doing before a flare gets out of hand.
“The lightweight lotion that worked fine in July isn’t going to cut it in October,” Dr. Gilroy says. Fall calls for a thicker cream or ointment, something that can actually hold up against dry indoor air.
“One thing I always recommend is treating hot water like a treat, not a daily habit,” she says. Long, very hot showers strip away the oils your skin barrier depends on. Cleveland Clinic gives the same advice: warm, not hot, water.1 A few minutes shorter and a notch cooler makes a real difference over weeks.
Just like you’d layer a shirt under a sweater, Dr. Gilroy recommends layering a hydrating serum or facial oil under your regular moisturizer during the driest months; it helps lock in more moisture than either product alone.
Hands are getting washed constantly, and lips have no oil glands of their own, so both dry out first and fastest in fall. Keep a moisturizer or balm within reach: at your desk, in your bag, and by the front door.
“Early intervention matters,” Dr. Gilroy says. “The people who do best aren’t the ones with the most complicated routine; they’re the ones who react to the very first sign of dryness or irritation, instead of waiting until it’s a full flare.”
Dr. Gilroy’s advice: if you are doing everything right and your skin still will not settle, it is worth asking about light. Phototherapy is a prescribed, precise wavelength of light (narrowband UVB).2 It is not tanning, not sunlight, and not a drug, and it is delivered to the affected skin rather than the whole body.3 It can now be done at home instead of requiring three trips a week to a clinic, and fall is a sensible time to bring it up, because this is the season when most people notice their skin getting harder to manage.
“Safe, effective, and supported... without the side effects.”
– Dr. Christine Gilroy, Chief Medical Officer at Zerigo Health
You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine overnight. Pick one of these six and start today; consistency with one change beats perfection with all of them. And if you have already tried the first five and your skin still isn’t settling, number six is the one to bring to your doctor.
Wondering if light therapy is right for you?
The next step is a short conversation with a clinician about whether phototherapy fits your skin and your history. The two-minute check tells you whether it is worth having.
Is light therapy a fit for you? Find out in 2 minutes.Questions first? Chat with our experts (real people, not a bot)4 or call (877) 738-6041.