Beat the Itch of winter skin - Femina

Unless you are living in the southern hemisphere this month, the dryness, cold, and wind of winter can wreak havoc on your skin. But that doesn't mean you have to suffer from cracked, parched skin - just arm yourself with the right tools.

FROM simple dry, cracked skin to eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis, the cold wind, and low humidity of winter can worsen just about every kind of skin condition. The dry air of winter draws moisture from the skin, which then tends to peel, crack, and shed excessively. This increased loss of skin cells results in increased oil and water loss, leading to more dry skin.

"Ever felt the contrast between Mumbai and Delhi, during in winters?" Asks Dr Jamuna Pai. "Most people's skin behaves better in Mumbai during winter than in Delhi because the humidity in the atmosphere keeps the naturally produced oils on the skin and the superficial cells soft and adherent so that oils are not lost," she explains.

For people who have an existing skin condition, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or dandruff, winter weather can make your bad problem worse.

Get It Fixed

Eczema is an overall skin sensitivity that appears as a rash, says Dr Meera Joshi, a delhi-based dermatologist. People with eczema should not wear wool or heavy synthetic fabrics directly on their skin. These can cause irritation from too much friction. "Cover up and avoid wind and cold," she says. "But wear a cotton layer against your skin to protect against friction."

In psoriasis, skin cells overproduce themselves at five times the normal rate, says Dr Jamuna Pai. "We take too many showers at too hot a temperature in the winter months," says Dr Joshi. "Take a bath rather than a shower because a bath allows the skin to hold on to more water," she suggests. "Use soap only in areas where you perspire, and when you shower, use warm, not hot, water, and do not use a washcloth because it may be too harsh on the skin," she adds.

Seborrheic dermatitis, or severe dandruff, can worsen significantly in cold, dry weather. "With seborrhea, it's like walking on a tightrope in the winter," says Dr Joshi. "You don't want to dry the skin with frequent shampooing, but you also need to apply medications, some of which come as shampoo."

Often, you don't think of going to a dermatologist to solve a dandruff situation. Dr Joshi says that when seborrheic dermatitis or any other skin condition worsens in winter, a visit to the derma doc is a must.

Prevent Dry Skin

Dealing with dry skin is all about trapping moisture in your skin.

For dry, chapped hands with cracked cuticles, we recommend an old standby, coconut oil.If you find that smelly, opt for a spot of olive oil with a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil. Warm the oils between your hands before rubbing it all over. Moisturising after a bath or shower is also important.

"When drying after a bath or a shower, pat dry - don't rub," says Nirmala Shetty of Nirmal Herbals. "Rubbing will remove the skin cells and oils you've just applied. Immediately after patting dry, apply a quality cream-based moisturiser," she adds.

She also suggests moisturising fingernails and cuticles as nails can dry out and break more easily in the winter.