Why is my skin more sensitive when the heat comes on?

Dear Soapman. Its getting colder and I noticed that my skin became more sensitive when the heat came on. Is there a correlation here or am I just B. Fuddled in Bennington

Dear B. F.,

Yes you are correct. There is indeed a correlation between heating systems coming on in the Autumn and skin sensitivity. Here’s why.

According to the National Institutes for Health over 25% of Americans test positive for dust mites as an allergen. Dust, and the mites that live on them deposit on baseboard heaters, fall down ventilation ducts and get through clogged and dirty air filters. As they burn off, we breathe it all in and get it on our skin. A very common reaction to this is to get rashy and sensitive.

What to do: Use a damp rag to CLEAN every surface you can on radiators, baseboards and heating pipes. Change forced hot air furnace filters every year. Remove air grates and vacuum out the debris, wipe down with an organic spray cleaner like Liquid Sunshine or plain water.  Then turn the heat up, open the doors and windows, turn on the fans and go out for pizza (with lots of vegetables) and movie on top. Should be safe to go when you return, if you have done your homework well. This will DECREASE your reactions.

Now SOOTHE with Shea butter, Green Gold or your favorite herbal green salve. Bathe with the Shea Butter Bar from Vermont Soap or another superfatted handmade soap bar (but not melt and pour soaps which are pretty but non-therapeutic). Drink lots of pure non-plastic water and try sleeping with a window cracked open for a while. Learn more about chemical sensitivities at www.reactivebody.org and www.vermontsoap.com