The chilly winter season had dawned upon us and becoming worse in recent times due to global warming. This time around we have the added stress of a pandemic and that is taking an even greater toll on your skin and existing skin issues. For many, winter wreaks havoc on the skin, but especially for those who suffer from eczema.
As we brace ourselves to deal with the chilly dry air outside and warm heated room indoors; the constant rubbing of clothes on our skin does more harm than good.
The most common of them all is winter eczema or winter itch which happens when skin is so dry that it becomes itchy and uncomfortable. Winter itch is more common due to the use of woollen & flannel clothing. Winter eczema leads to more itching and rashes which further dries the skin and its a tedious cycle which will continue until some precaution is taken. The damage is more with the flare-up of existing skin problems like psoriasis and fissure foot & hand which are also known as dry feet and dry palms respectively.
Even people having acne problem have also seen flare ups partly due to dryness and partly due to calorie rich food during winters. People also experience increased hair fall also due to dandruff and dry scalp.
Apart from all these factors, one common problem is superficial skin burns due to the constant alternating exposure to all indoor heaters and the cold dry air outside.
Tips to prevent winter skin troubles:As disappointing as it may be, try to avoid using hot water. Not only is it bad for people with eczema and psoriasis, it is also bad for people having no pre-existing skin condition. It causes further dryness and irritation of skin especially hands & feet. Limit your bath time to 5-10 mins.
After a bath, make efforts to moisturize as quickly as you can with easily available products such as creams or lotions. It is essential to that you moisturize within 5 minutes of taking a bath to prevent further loss of water from your skin. Moisturize as often. More so during this pandemic as you have probably been using hand sanitizers very often. Pay special attention to your lips and use lip balms or petroleum jelly.
The single most beneficial thing to do is consume plenty of water and other fluids throughout day.
Dry skin and poor complexions complained by many appear to be due to excessive use of soaps, cosmetics, dyes, perfumes, etc., containing irritating or allergenic ingredients. Use very mild or natural skin care products during winters.
Arrange your clothing layers better. For example, 1st layer which touches your skin should be very comfortable & breathable like cotton. Proceed to wear your thermals, jackets, and coats over the cotton layer. Wash your thermals as often as possible as repeated use can cause infections. Take efforts to ensure that your hands are protected from the cold winter air by using gloves.
Even the things that make winter enjoyable such as sitting by a room heater or a bonfire can dry your skin. Do not sit very close to the heater or the bonfire. You might not feel the burn at the very instant, but it builds up along with dryness and that is not good for your skin.
Do not ditch your sunscreen during winters while stepping out. It is just as important as it is in summers especially if you are on treatment for acne or melasma. SPF- 30 is recommended for the Indian skin type.
Not every ˜Do it yourself mask or treatment is beneficial in winters. Be very attentive to what you apply on your skin. Check the ingredients and consult a qualified professional for queries.
When to see a dermatologist?If you have extreme dryness even after all possible precautions one should get it checked to make sure that it is not due to any underlying medical condition like psoriasis or fungal infection. Dry skin can also indicate a more serious skin condition which can be evaluated and systematically treated by adermatologist.In situations of increased hairfall (150-200 strands/day is normal) one should see a dermatologist to get treatment for same. Also many endocrinological conditions like diabetes and thyroid have their first manifestation on the skin. So professional help is most appropriate.The skin is considered to be a window to our body and any changes on it reflect abnormalities that may be present inside. Therefore, one should not ignore these signs and get them looked by a professional as soon as possible. skin condition. Taking care of your mental health is equally important for your skin too. Take proper precautions & treatment and have yourselves a happy & cozy winter!