Why does the skin itch everywhere in winter?

In winter, a very inconspicuous disease that can make people very worried is skin itching.

Many people have asked me this question: why do I tickle under the bed in winter before going to bed at night? Moreover, the more I scratch, the more severe it becomes, and ultimately, the whole body is covered in bruises.

Some white-collar workers itch all over their bodies in the workplace and then, taking advantage of people's unpreparedness, shamelessly reach into their clothes to scratch. As a result, as soon as a colleague opens the door, they see a completely different impression of you than usual. Look how awkward this is!

So, why are there so many people with itchy skin in winter? What is the reason?

Originally, the Qi mechanism of the human body fluctuated with the four seasons. In summer, the Yang qi is outside, and the Qi mechanism floats outside. Therefore, we sweat more, and our skin is moist. In winter, the qi engine converges inward, and the yang qi lurks. At this time, the surface of the skin is prone to dryness, forming the foundation for itching.

But a friend asked, does it mean that in winter, everyone's skin becomes dry, which means everyone will experience itching?

No, the average person is able to adapt to this change in qi, but some people experience skin discomfort due to their inability to adapt. So, what kind of person would have this problem?

There are several people that we need to pay attention to：

A person with yin deficiency：

Among the people I have seen with itchy skin in winter, there are many people with yin deficiency. Why is this happening? Because yin is the main calming and nourishing substance in the human body, such as body fluid and blood essence. If yin deficiency occurs, the body fluid is already insufficient. In winter, when the qi is inward, the body fluid on the surface is even more insufficient, making it unable to moisten the skin, leading to dryness, surface damage, and itching.

Such people are generally accompanied by characteristics of yin deficiency, such as red tongue, thin or no tongue coating, fast pulse, dry eyes and mouth, desire to drink cold water, hot hands and feet, irritability, hair loss, tinnitus, night sweating, dry stools, and so on.

I usually look at the tongue. If the tongue is red and the coating is thin, I would think there is a greater possibility of yin deficiency.

For such people, I recommend a traditional Chinese patent medicine and simple preparation called Maiwei Dihuang Pill, which is mainly used to nourish the yin of the lungs and kidneys. People with yin deficiency can insist on taking it in winter, which is good for improving the skin.

This prescription is the sister's prescription of Liuwei Dihuang Pill. It is based on Liuwei Dihuang Pill, plus Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis to increase the role of nourishing lung yin.

A person with blood deficiency:

Strictly speaking, blood is a part of yin, but because blood is too important, if it goes wrong, it will have its special manifestations. Therefore, in traditional Chinese medicine, there is a distinction between blood deficiency and yin deficiency.

People with blood deficiency, due to insufficient blood, may not have enough moisture on their body surface when the winter weather machine converges, as blood also plays a role in nourishing the body.

So, what are the manifestations of people with blood deficiency?

People with blood deficiency may have a pale tongue colour, which can lead to insomnia, decreased memory, dizziness and palpitations after fatigue. Areas with mucous membranes, such as the eyelids or lips, may become lighter in colour, and their hands and feet may warm in summer but become cold in winter. At the same time, they are afraid of the wind and cold.

Then, if you squat on the ground for a minute and suddenly stand up, your eyes will turn black. Women's menstrual cycle will have a lighter colour, less menstrual flow, and even amenorrhea.

This type of person with blood deficiency will experience skin itching in winter, which is called "blood deficiency generates wind" in traditional Chinese medicine. At this time, it is necessary to replenish blood and nourish blood, and the wind will self-extinguish when blood circulates.

In winter, people with blood deficiency not only have itchy skin but also have cold hands and feet because blood cannot warm and nourish their limbs. This is different from Yang deficiency. People with Yang deficiency also have cold hands and feet in summer, while those with blood deficiency may still have warm hands and feet in summer and only become cool in winter.

The cold hands and feet caused by blood deficiency are ineffective when simply using the method of warming yang. Some people try hard to eat dried ginger and aconite, but the improvement is not obvious. Let me give an analogy: it's like there is no water in the pot, and you need to ignite the hot pot. The pot will not be able to bear it, so not frying is good. At this time, adding water and warming yang is the right way. And they are adding water to nourish the blood.

I have always recommended the method of nourishing blood with Yu Ling ointment. In the past, I used to use ideas such as Siwu Tang to nourish the blood, but later found that Yuling ointment for dietary therapy was very effective, so I would rather choose the method of dietary therapy first. Only when the condition is more complex will formulas such as Siwu Tang be used in combination with other drugs for conditioning.

A person with blood stasis:

People with blood stasis already have problems with qi and blood circulation. In winter, the cold will stagnate qi and blood, exacerbating the obstruction of qi and blood circulation. This makes it more difficult for nutrients to reach the surface of the body. Therefore, there is a problem with moistening, which is very similar to the previous two problems, but there is only a slight difference in the way of causing the disease.

People with blood stasis may have a decrease in memory, feel that their throat is always dry, and have dry skin problems. The surface of the skin is prone to red and blue blood streaks, and some people may have pain areas in their limbs. This pain is mild during the day and severe at night.

People like this tend to have ecchymosis on the edge and tip of the tongue, and the sublingual veins will be thick and black, branching out in all directions.

The blood stasis constitution is something I have always emphasized. Many older adults have severe itching in winter, which is related to the majority of older adults with a blood stasis constitution.
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Western medicine believes that people with diabetes will have abnormal skin tissue due to metabolic problems. In fact, this is related to blood stasis. Many diseases will eventually lead to blood stasis.

I think the easier way to regulate blood stasis is to take Panax notoginseng powder. Still, it is best to combine it with imported American ginseng powder in a ratio of one to one.

People with Yang Deficiency:

Some people with this constitution also experience skin itching in winter due to the accumulation of qi. People with insufficient yang qi have insufficient transpiration energy and are more unable to produce hair in winter. Therefore, when the body's surface loses nourishment, problems may also occur. My experience with such people is limited, but there are also some.

Such people, on the contrary, need to drink warm foods such as ginger soup at this time to promote the growth of yang qi. Spreading it outwards can help improve the skin.

In many articles, it is recommended not to take a shower too frequently in winter and to use soap as little as possible. I don't think these are the main reasons, but they can be referenced.

Another reason is to wear natural clothes, such as cotton, linen, silk, etc., and avoid using synthetic fibres. However, this is not the point, so pay attention.

The real cause of winter skin itching is due to physical imbalance, so I think winter skin itching is just a signal; it reminds us we should pay attention to our bodies. Do we need to adjust our bodies?

I hope everyone will no longer be troubled by skin itching this winter, and when this problem disappears, it means that your body is moving towards a normal state.