Risks of winter skin diseases

Winter, low temperature, low air humidity make the skin vulnerable and increase the risk of many diseases. Learn about winter skin diseases, how to prevent and treat the symptoms in the article below.

1.1. Winter Dry Skin In winter, the air temperature and humidity are low, making our skin prone to dryness. Dry skin can manifest in varying degrees, you may feel dry and tight, and you may even experience itching or flaking.
To protect the skin from drying out, you need to provide enough moisture to the skin by drinking plenty of water, using a moisturizer...
1.2. Chapped Lips Most people experience dry lips in the winter. To prevent dry lips in winter, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and use a humidifier at home. Applying beeswax or mineral oil to your lips is another way to protect your lips from drying out.
Apply lip balm or lipstick with sunscreen every time you go out, avoid excessive sun and wind exposure. You should avoid licking your lips, it will only make you feel better for a while, but it will make your chapped lips worse.
1.3. Cracked Heels Pain, cracked heels is a common skin condition, especially in winter. This is usually caused by dry skin. Having calluses around the heel rim can further complicate matters. In some cases, dry cracked feet can lead to infection or make walking painful.
Keep feet healthy by incubating cracked heels in kerosene, wrapping them in cling film and wearing a pair of socks overnight. You should see an improvement within a few days.
1.4. Frostnip is a mild form of frostbite that tends to affect the earlobes, cheeks, nose, fingers and toes. Signs of frostbite include pale skin, numbness, or tingling in the affected area.
Avoid freezing cold by wearing warm clothes, hats, earplugs and gloves. The best treatment is to re-warm the areas that are frostbitten from the cold. Although frostbite is uncomfortable, it does not cause any damage to the skin.
1.5. Frostbite Frostbite is more serious than frostbite and can cause long-term damage. The deeper tissues freeze, causing the skin to become hard, pale, and cold. It can be painful but lacks sensitivity to the touch. When the area thaws, it becomes red and painful.
Hands, feet, nose and ears are most vulnerable, but any body part can be affected. Treat frostbite by going to a warm place, wrapping the affected area in a sterile bandage (fingers and toes alone), and going to the emergency room right away. Do not re-warm affected areas if there is a chance they could freeze again.
1.6. Eczema is a general term for different types of dermatitis. Symptoms include dry, red, itchy, or flaky skin. When the skin becomes dry and irritated in the winter, eczema can flare up.
You can prevent it by moisturizing regularly with an oil-based ointment that contains sunscreen. Sweating and overheating can also trigger the itch/scratch cycle, so wear layers that are easy to take off. Ask your dermatologist about prescription treatments.
1.7. Psoriasis Psoriasis causes more symptoms than dry skin. It is caused when the immune system misbehaves and speeds up skin cell growth. Dry air, lack of sunlight and colder weather can make the disease worse.
Follow tips for dry skin: take a warm bath, use plenty of moisturizer, and place a humidifier around the house. Ask your dermatologist about phototherapy, which uses ultraviolet B (UVB) light to slow skin cell growth, and about the best treatments for you.

2.1. Extra Care for Dry Hands Your hands can be severely affected by the cold winter air. Frequent hand washing helps to get rid of cold and flu germs, but it also increases hand dryness. And unless you wear gloves every time you go out, your hands can get cold more than other parts of your body.
Provide some extra protection for dry hands by using a moisturizer containing glycerin upon waking, before bed, and anytime your hands feel dry throughout the day.
2.2. Use Super Fat Soaps Some products that keep your face looking fresh in spring and summer can cause skin problems in winter. Choose a gentle, super-fatty, fragrance-free soap - bar or liquid - to cleanse skin.
Super-fatted means soap contains a lot of oil. Use a non-astringent toner, or skip it altogether. If your skin is dry, a moisturizer containing urea, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, or mineral oil may be a good choice.
2. 3. Choose a Winter Moisturizer Should You Change Your Moisturizer? Might need to do this, if you normally use a light lotion, try a heavier one, at least on dry patches of skin.
Ointment has more oil than cream or lotion. That makes them greasy, so they may be best for the feet and body in the winter. Minimize the greasy feeling by using a very small amount and applying it gently but thoroughly into the skin. Do this after taking a warm bath.
Humectants like urea, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol will absorb water from the air, they are oil free. Emollients such as baby oil or mineral oil, vegetable oil (such as jojoba oil), kerosene, lanolin, stearic acid help replace oils in the skin.
Many moisturizers contain a combination of the two. You can skip some anti-aging moisturizers in winter. Those that contain retinoids can further irritate your already dry, sensitive skin.
2.4. Remove dead skin To get the most out of your moisturizer, exfoliate. Exfoliates dead skin cells so moisturizers can better penetrate dry skin. Gently exfoliate with a moisturizer containing lactic acid or salicylic acid.
Some exfoliants can be irritating, especially in winter, so test them on a small area first. If your skin is really dry or irritated, check with your doctor before starting a new skin care product or regimen.
2.5. Use a Shower During Winter Showers can rehydrate your skin, as long as you keep it in moderation. Taking long hot showers can really draw moisture away from your skin. As tempting as a hot shower is on a cold morning, warm water is a better choice. It will not strip the skin of its natural oils.
2.6. Moisturize after showering As soon as you step out of the bath, pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer to retain the water your skin has just absorbed. Glycerin or hyaluronic acid-based moisturizers can increase the amount of water absorbed by your skin.
Baby oil (mineral oil) is also a good choice, as it prevents water from evaporating from your skin. It doesn't stop there: Feel free to reapply moisturizer throughout the day, especially on areas where dry skin is a nuisance.
2.7. Plug in a humidifier in the room It's cold outside, so you're inside the room, with the heater on. That warm, dry air can mean dry skin. Use a humidifier to restore moisture to the air.
You can find inexpensive humidifiers at most drug stores. Put one in your bedroom; Better yet, invest in two or three and place them strategically around your home to prevent irritated, itchy skin this winter.
2.8. Protect your hair this winter Protect your hair this winter by washing your hair every other day instead of every day. Some shampoos can strip the hair of moisture. Use warm water and a mild shampoo with sunscreen.
Apply extra conditioner to keep hair hydrated, shiny and soft. Don't over style with a hair dryer or flat iron. And protect your hair from the elements by wearing a hat.
2.9. Winter Sunscreen Needed Think you can't get sunburned in winter? Wrong. Skiers and other winter athletes are at particular risk of sunburn because snow reflects sunlight.
In fact, it reflects 80% of the sun's rays back to us, compared to less than 20% for sand and seawater. Even if you don't ski, you still need to be protected with a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply daily and reapply at least every two hours if you are outdoors.
2.10. Beat Winter Itchy Skin Dry skin in winter can be extremely itchy. Fight itchy skin by taking a warm bath with oatmeal or baking soda, reapplying moisturizer frequently, and staying away from wool and other rough fabrics.
If these techniques don't make a difference, see a dermatologist. You may have an underlying condition like eczema or psoriasis that requires different treatment.

Reference source: webmd.com