The Slice: Skin doc predicts moist winter

I was talking with a dermatologist about something in my column and decided to ask her for some free medical advice.

How should Inland Northwesterners deal with winter-onset dry skin?

“Get yourself a good moisturizer like Cetaphil lotion,” said Dr. Christina Marino. “Neutrogena Norwegian Formula body lotion is also a good choice. Apply right after a shower when your skin is still damp.

“If you have really dry hands and feet, use Neutrogena hand cream or Cetaphil therapeutic hand cream. Always wear gloves when going outside if the weather is in the 30s or lower. Use a good lip balm that is greasy. And the soap, Lever 2000 aloe or Dove are good choices.

“Drink lots of water if your workplace is dry. And don’t be afraid to use a moisturizer on your face. Neutrogena Healthy Defense is light and has a sunscreen — good for skiing or snowboarding.

“This sounds like a lot of things to do, but most of it happens before you leave the house. Keep that lip balm handy! And as far as your ears go, keep them covered if there is extreme wind and cold.”

“Slice answers: What do you wish you had said to someone when you had the chance?

A reader named Lesley wishes she could have told her 32-year-old son, ” ‘Please do not kill yourself. We will be with you until we find help to make the darkness go away.’ ”

A reader named Dori said her sister died almost three years ago, leaving behind a husband and two daughters. “I would tell her what a beautiful job she did raising her girls, how she taught them to be strong and confident. I would also tell her how proud I was to be her sister.”

Then there was this from Jean. “I recently lost my former mother-in-law. She left us after a long illness, but she knew she was going and didn’t let on. The thing that I didn’t have a chance to say to her was ‘Thank you.’ She knew I loved her, but I don’t think she had any idea how grateful I was for how she treated me, both while I was married to her kid and the 20 years we have been divorced.”

A reader named Zandra told about losing a daughter who had struggled with drug problems. “Now I wish I would have told her we would get more help, another treatment place.”

And Shawn shared some things she wished she had said to an admired co-worker/friend who died recently.

“Thank you for all that you stood for. Thank you for all that you did for the people around you. Thank you for thinking about us even when we may have been too busy to think about you. Thank you for being my friend.”

“Today’s Slice questions: OK, here’s the situation. You’re out in public and your kid pitches a fit. You know, a real four-alarm tantrum.

There are all sorts of strangers around.

What can they do that’s helpful? What’s not helpful?