Colorado’s winters are known for their crisp mountain air, snow‑covered landscapes, and sunny days. Yet beneath that picturesque surface lies a climate challenge that many residents don’t immediately connect with: dry, low‑humidity conditions that can aggravate skin allergies and eczema.
At Colorado Allergy & Asthma Centers, we often see patients whose atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, or general skin sensitivity worsen during the colder months. Here’s what you need to know, and what you can do about it.
Why Colorado’s Winter Climate Is a Perfect Storm for Skin Conditions
High Altitude + Low Humidity
Living at high elevation means the air tends to hold less moisture. Low humidity exacerbates many inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and allergic dermatitis.
When the air is dry, your skin loses moisture more rapidly. That increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and compromises the skin barrier, a key factor in eczema and many types of dermatitis.
Heating Systems & Indoor Drying
In winter, indoor heating (especially forced‑air systems) further reduces humidity. This indoor dryness often means people are sandwiched between two drying environments: the cold, arid outdoors and the artificially dry indoors.
Temperature Swings, Wind & UV Exposure
Moving from cold outdoor air to warm indoor air (or vice versa) stresses the skin barrier. Rapid changes in temperature and wind exposure can disrupt skin homeostasis.
Additionally, high altitude means stronger UV exposure, which may not directly cause eczema but further stresses the skin’s protective layers.
How These Factors Affect Skin Allergies & Eczema
Flare‑Ups Become More Frequent
If you have eczema (atopic dermatitis) or allergic contact dermatitis, these climate stresses make flare‑ups more likely. Eczema is more common in dry climates and in the winter.
When the skin barrier is compromised, irritants and allergens (dust, pollen, indoor allergens) have easier access into the skin, and allergens may trigger more frequent symptoms.
Increased Itching, Dryness & Cracked Skin
Dry air causes the skin to become brittle, more prone to cracking or fissures, and more easily irritated. For someone with underlying allergic skin conditions, this means more itching, more scratching, and thus more risk of skin barrier damage, infection and worsening dermatitis.
Secondary Allergic & Irritant Reactions
When the skin barrier is weakened, patients are more vulnerable to reactions from skin care products, fabrics, detergents, soaps and even environmental allergens. These can trigger either irritant or allergic contact dermatitis.
For example, hot showers, fragranced cleansers, or wool clothing may suddenly cause issues where they didn’t before.
Practical Strategies for Managing Skin During Colorado Winters
As an allergy clinic focusing on skin‑allergy intersections, here are recommendations you can share with your patients to reduce winter exacerbation of skin allergies and eczema.
1. Control Indoor Humidity
- Use a humidifier in bedrooms and main living areas to bring indoor humidity into the range of ~30–50%. This keeps the air from pulling moisture out of the skin.
- Ensure humidifiers are cleaned regularly to prevent mold or allergen growth (especially relevant for allergy patients).
- Avoid sitting directly in the path of forced‑air vents, which can accelerate drying.
2. Gentle Skincare Routine
- Use lukewarm showers, and keep them short. Hot water strips natural oils.
- After a shower, apply a thick, fragrance‑free moisturizer immediately while the skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture.
- Choose cleansers and laundry detergents free of fragrance, dyes, and harsh surfactants. These reduce the risk of irritant or allergic contact reactions.
- Wear soft, breathable fabrics like cotton and silk, and avoid scratchy or synthetic fabrics that may irritate the skin.
3. Skin Allergy Prevention & Barrier Support
- For those already with eczema or allergic dermatitis, consider adding barrier‑repair creams with ingredients like ceramides, dimethicone or squalane. These support the skin’s protective layer.
- Encourage hydration (both internal and external), though skin hydration mostly comes from external barrier support and environmental humidity.
- Identify and avoid potential allergens (e.g., new skincare products, fabrics, detergents) especially when skin is already compromised.
4. Be Proactive with Flare‑Up Management
- If skin becomes red, itchy, or fissured, treat it early. Scratching leads to more skin barrier damage and possibly infection.
- For patients with known eczema, ensure they have a flare‑protocol in place (e.g., topical steroid, barrier cream) and monitor closely during winter.
- In the case of allergic skin conditions, coordinate with your allergy/immunology team to assess possible irritants or allergens exacerbated by winter conditions.
5. Outdoor & UV Considerations
- Remind patients that even in winter, Colorado’s high altitude means stronger UV exposure which can stress the skin, so daily broad‑spectrum sunscreen is still recommended.
- For outdoor activity, protect exposed skin with scarves, gloves and wind‑resistant outerwear to reduce wind‑driven moisture loss.
When to Refer or Escalate Care
If your skin condition continues to worsen despite good environmental and skincare measures, or if signs of infection appear (weeping, warmth, crusting), then consider referral to an allergy specialist to rule out any allergy-related factors.
This is particularly important for patients with significant allergic contact dermatitis, eczema with frequent flare‑ups, or who require systemic therapy.
Final Thoughts
Colorado’s winter beauty comes with a hidden challenge for skin health, especially for those with skin allergies and eczema. By understanding how the high‑altitude, low‑humidity and heating environment affects the skin, you empower your patients (or community) to take proactive control.
With consistent barrier care, humidity management and allergen avoidance, it’s possible to enjoy Colorado’s winters while minimizing the itch, rash and irritation that often accompany them.
Need help getting tested for allergies? Book an appointment with us, and our world-class team of allergy experts will get you answers to your allergy concerns.
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