Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Winter is on its way, and with it comes the usual maladies, which can range from a minor cold to full-blown flu. There’s another aspect of winter that goes hand in hand with it: dry skin.
While it can happen at any time of year, it is known to be more prevalent when the temperature dips. When the humidity lowers, sticking to the same skincare routine all year may not be as effective. Dry air can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles if you don’t adjust your skincare routine.
Your skin, including your face, hands, feet, and other areas may respond to the changing seasons. The following are some of the most prevalent signs and symptoms of dry skin. Skin may:
- Be flaky or scaly
- Turn red
- Become rough in texture
- Develop cracks
- Become itchy and dry
- Turn raw and inflamed
Skin becomes dry when it doesn’t retain enough moisture, which can happen as a result of regular bathing, the use of harsh soaps, age, or certain medical disorders. The water content of the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) tends to reflect the level of humidity around it, making wintertime a particular problem as humidity is low both outside and inside
The first step in fighting dry skin is to use moisturisers to rehydrate the epidermis and seal in the moisture.
Winter dry skin, often known as winter itch or winter xerosis in medical terminology, can be relieved in a variety of ways that are both simple and inexpensive.
In this blog, we will explore what you need to know about dry skin and what you can do to make this chilly season easier. Read on.
What you can do to get relief from dry skin?
Here are a few strategies to treat dry skin that are helpful if used on a regular basis:
- Use a humidifier in the room that you spend most of your time in to renew the epidermis’ top layer.
- Limit bath time to only 5 to 10-minutes every day. If you bathe more frequently than that, you risk stripping the skin of its oily layer and causing it to lose moisture.
- Instead of boiling water, use lukewarm water as it can wipe away natural oils.
- Reduce your soap usage; if necessary, use moisturising soaps.
- Avoid deodorant soaps and perfumes.
- Apply only gentle, fragrance-free skincare products.
- After showering or cleansing your hands, apply moisturiser right away, while your skin is still damp. This helps close the crevices between your skin cells and seal in the moisture.
- After bathing, blot your skin gently dry with a soft towel — don’t rub.
- Never, ever scratch anything. The itch may usually be controlled with a moisturiser. You can also treat itchy places with a cold pack or compress.
- To avoid photoaging, apply sunscreen both in the winter and in the summer.
- Before shaving, apply a shaving cream or gel to your skin and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Even if you don’t feel thirsty during winters, make sure you’re consuming enough fluids throughout the season.
- Consume foods that contain “good fats” as this can help replenish your skin’s natural fats and keep it looking smooth and supple.
Ayurvedic Herbs to combat dry skin
- Aloe vera
- Neem
- Peppermint
- Fennel
- Calendula
Final thoughts
Although dry skin is normally not a major health issue, however, it can lead to serious consequences like chronic eczema (red spots) or bleeding from fissures deep enough to rupture capillaries in the dermis. Secondary bacterial infection (redness, swelling, and pus) is another serious consequence that may necessitate antibiotic treatment.
Have you had dry skin that won’t go away? To discover more about how to combat xerosis and keep your skin hydrated and healthy, speak with your dermatologist. A cream containing lactic acid, urea, or corticosteroids may be prescribed for very dry skin by your doctor.
She or he may also want to get some testing done to rule out any medical issues that could be causing the problem, including hypothyroidism, diabetes, lymphoma, kidney disease, liver disease, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.
Also, by opting for regular health screenings, you can stay on top of your health condition and take preventive measures in the event that you are likely to be hit by a disease, which might cause serious skin complications.
