9 Common Skin Problems During Winter & Their Remedies

Introduction

Do you dread the winter months? Specifically, how does the chilly weather affect your skin? We understand that we all face one or many of these common winter skin problems at least once in the entire season. A sense of dry, flaky, itchy, and irritated skin is not comfortable or enjoyable at all.

Not all flakes of winter are composed of snow. Due to the low relative humidity in cold weather, our skin suffers greatly, becoming dry and flaky. In addition to the air becoming drier, using heaters indoors significantly dehydrates the skin. As a result, winter itch is the outcome.

In addition to being significant for aesthetic reasons, skin health is crucial since it handles numerous vital bodily functions. It shields the body from the numerous viruses and germs that a person is exposed to every day, among other things. 

Additionally, it guards against the harmful UV radiation of the sun that can harm cells. By experiencing pressure or pain, healthy skin also enables a person to respond to significant changes more effectively. 

Skin health can be severely compromised throughout the winter and can trigger several skin conditions namely, dry skin and eczema.

If you are experiencing significant seasonal variations, read the complete blog to learn how to treat and avoid winter skin issues.

Common winter skin problems and their possible solutions one should know about:

Irritated and dry nose

Isn’t it true that during the cold you can’t resist the urge to scratch your nose? One of the most annoying wintertime issues is having a dry, itchy nose. 

Try these easy home remedies to protect yourself from the discomfort of a dry and inflamed nose.

• Drink an adequate amount of water to keep your body hydrated all day long. Even though you might not naturally feel thirsty in the cold, staying hydrated is crucial to preventing dryness. 
• Avoid sugary drinks because they can aggravate nasal dryness.
• You might find some relief with the over-the-counter saline nasal spray or drops if it becomes too irritating.
• Treat yourself to a hot, steamy bath. However, don’t linger too long because an extended hot bath can dry your skin more.
• One can also use a humidifier that maintains the moisture content of your room.
• Always use a water-based moisturizer on both nostrils whenever you feel dryness.

You can also read: 9 Tips To Boost Overall Well-being During The Weather Changes

Irritation and redness

Many factors, including the chilly winter weather, can cause skin irritation and redness. Too much exposure to cold air causes the skin to lose its natural oil and hydration, leaving it dry. It could cause inflammation and redness if untreated.

• Winter rash is easily treatable at home. In order to calm the skin, liberally moisturise it.
• Apply natural oils like almond and coconut oil to lock the skin’s inherent moisture.
• To keep the air humid in your home, use a humidifier.
• If the inflammation continues, consult a dermatologist.

Chapped lips

Because of the low humidity levels throughout the winter, chapped lips might develop. Anyone no matter what the age is, who has dry skin can develop chapped lips. However, the chances rise if you also use lithium, retinoids, chemotherapeutic medications, or vitamin A supplements.

• Applying lip balm or glycerin all day long is the simplest technique to treat chapped lips.
• Drink plenty of water and keep a humidifier in your home in addition to this.
• While leaving the house, use a lip balm with SPF.

Shaving cuts

Even if you might be used to dry shaving, it could be challenging throughout the winter when the skin is already dry. This skin dryness increases the chances of more shaving cuts and abrasions on the skin.

Instead of using normal soap and water, try to use moisturizing foam during shaving.

One can also transform shaving cream by adding a pinch of regular conditioner that will help soothe dry skin.

Skin chafing

One of the many causes of chafing, which is a common skin condition, is when the inner thighs rub against one another. Dry skin is one of the most common reasons for chafing during the winter.

It happens when the skin’s epidermis, or outer layer, is repeatedly subjected to friction, which damages it and exposes the lower dermis layer. The affected skin feels itchy and unpleasant whenever exposed. 

• Make sure to keep the region clean by having a shower at least once a day in warm water if you have chafed skin. In order to reduce the chances of bacterial infection, clean the chaffed region with soap.
• Wash the area, then pat it dry. Make sure the skin is dry, completely.
• Apply and massage a moisturiser smoothly so that it can imbibe properly preventing the skin from dryness.
• It always seems ideal if you apply a barrier cream or medicated powder as it not only protects the skin from damage but also helps in healing it faster. 

Click here to Know About The Self-care Tips To Enjoy Winter To The Fullest

Dry and itchy patches

Perhaps dry, itching spots don’t seem alarming. But it can become physically painful. Scales, redness, itching, and little skin cracks are the most typical signs of dry, itchy skin.

• With small lifestyle adjustments, you can treat and prevent dry, itchy skin. Use a deep moisturiser first.
• Take a warm shower.
• Before going to bed at night, moisturise the body.
• Instead of using harsh soaps, switch to hydrating or moisturising ones.
• After a bath, pat the skin dry and then moisturise while it’s still somewhat damp.

Cracked heels

Cracked heels are one of the most common skin problems we face during winter. With a little bit of care, one can manage the cracked heels efficiently just by applying some moisturizer, or medicated creams.

• Your heels can be moisturised at all times by wearing gel socks or socks with medicinal lotion.
• To gently brush out the dead cells from the cracked heels, use a loofah or pumice stone.
• Before going to bed, use butter, medicinal creams, rich foot lotions, natural oils, or deep moisturiser. This overnight course of moisturising heels will enable the cream to be absorbed fully into the cracks and thus allow the heels to get hydrated.

UV damage

The primary source of sunburn is UVB radiation, which is especially harmful at high elevations and on reflective surfaces like snow. You are exposed to UVB rays twice as much because the snow effectively reflects 80% of UV light. Your skin is further harmed by this. 

UVB rays are invisible rays that come from the sun. These rays are extremely dangerous to the body and often cause sunburns, darkening, and thickening of the outer layer of the skin.

• The best defence against UV deterioration is to cover up all of the body’s exposed areas.
• When going outside, use sunglasses with a face shield.
• Wear a hat to stay warm and shield your face from the sun’s rays.

Eyebrows itch and flakes

The eyebrows can become scratchy and flaky, just like an itchy and dry scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis, a skin ailment, is primarily to blame for this. Seborrheic dermatitis is worse in the winter, despite the fact that the actual cause is unknown.

• You could apply an anti-itch cream to lessen the itching around your eyebrows.
• Maintaining proper hydration can also help in lessening the itching around the eyebrows.
• To alleviate the itching, apply a cool compress for 15 to 30 minutes.
• You can also get relief from the itching with antihistamines.

Final thoughts

In the winter, extremely dry and dehydrated skin is typical. It causes a comprehensive range of skin conditions such as dry skin, rashes, redness, itching, cracks, and many more. 

Even if any or all of these issues are bothering you, implementing the above-mentioned advice can quickly fix them for you without you having to go to a doctor for help.

However, if the symptoms get worse, you should immediately visit a dermatologist as it might lead to complications.

You can also book a full body checkup, including genetic testing, if you are  experiencing skin problems consistently helping you be aware of any predisposition to skin problems.

Keep your body healthy by opting for routine health checkups!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the common skin problems during winter?

Ans.

Some of the most common winter skin issues are chapped lips, dry skin, windburn, sunburn, cracked heels, skin chafing, dry nose, and shaving cuts, to name a few.

Q2. How do you get rid of winter skin?

Ans.

Apply moisturizer or coconut oil, stay hydrated, and use SPF lotion to prevent sun damage, these are some of the solutions to get rid of winter skin.

Q3. How can we nourish winter skin?

Ans.

Eat jaggery, green and leafy vegetables, luscious fruits, dry fruits and nuts, ghee can be used to nourish the winter skin.

Q4. Which vitamin is good for the skin in winter?

Ans.

Vitamin E is a vital component for skin, hair, and nail health.

Q5. Which water is good for the skin during winter?

Ans.

Moderately warm water should be used in winter as a very hot shower or hot bath makes the skin dry and itchy by depriving sebum levels.  

Written by: Anjali Dharra

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