How to treat common skin problems in winter

Arab Weather - With the advent of the winter season, we must prepare to face the effects of climate change on the skin, as common skin problems can be avoided by following some preventive measures.

Dry skin

• Cold weather leads to increased skin dryness and cracking, as the moisture decreases and the water in the skin evaporates, leaving the skin looking dry and thus more prone to irritation and itching.
• Dry skin can be noticed in more areas than others, such as the hands, heels and elbows , and dryness on the face appears in many people.
• Dry skin can be overcome in the winter by drinking large amounts of water throughout the day , in addition to eating vegetables and fruits that contain a large proportion of water, such as cucumbers and oranges .
• It is possible to drink hot drinks that help in warming the body and ensure that the body lost fluids.
• In addition to foods and drinks that protect the skin from dehydration , it is advised to apply a moisturizing cream for the skin , and choose a type that does not contain harmful chemicals or perfumes.
• Using natural moisturizers such as aloe vera or coconut oil , which are applied to the skin and massaged to obtain the necessary moisture.

Skin peeling off

• In winter, skin problems are not limited to dry skin, but the problem can worsen and begin to appear scales throughout.
• To avoid peeling the skin in the winter, it is recommended to use natural tap water to wash the face, as well as shower with lukewarm water instead of hot water, as hot water strips the skin of the natural oils that keep it moisturized, leading to peeling skin.
• You should avoid rubbing the skin with the towel as this leads to more damage, and it should be dried gently with a clean cotton towel.

Skin rash

• Rash is a complication of dry skin , as dehydration causes skin irritation and inflammation , which leads to itching and redness , and the chances of developing a rash increase in case of prolonged exposure to cold weather , as well as bathing in hot water .
• And the rash can be exacerbated by the use of products that contain irritating substances , such as soaps rich in perfumes .
• To relieve itching and inflammation of the skin in the winter, it is advised to put milk on the affected areas with a clean cloth , and oat soap helps relieve inflammation and rashes, and it is recommended to use natural oils such as coconut oil and olive oil in massaging the skin.

Dandruff

• Dandruff usually appears in the winter season, as a result of the scalp being dehydrated and the lack of natural oils that keep it moisturized.
• To avoid dandruff in the winter, it is advised to avoid bathing in hot water, and care must be taken to apply natural oils to the scalp to keep it moisturized and protect it from drying out.
• It is preferable not to shower more than twice a week during the winter season, and to use a natural shampoo that is free of harmful chemicals. Conditioner should be applied to the hair to increase its moisture and protect it from peeling and various problems such as dryness, damage and split ends.
• And in the case of dandruff, it is preferable to use an anti-dandruff shampoo, and follow the natural recipes to get rid of dandruff.

Rhinitis

• In the winter season, the chances of developing respiratory diseases and their common symptoms such as a runny nose increase, which leads to continuing to use paper towels to clean the nose and get rid of mucus, and over time the nose becomes red, itchy and inflamed.
• Some methods help prevent respiratory diseases, such as eating fruits rich in vitamin C and plenty of warm fluids, and you should stay away from infected people and be keen to exercise.
• In the event of a cold or flu, a moisturizing cream should be applied to the nose to avoid redness and inflammation.

Tips to prevent skin problems in the winter

There are some things that help prevent dry skin during the winter season, namely:

Take a short shower

• It is preferable to have a short bathing time in the winter season, to reduce the duration of exposure to warm water, which reduces skin oils.

Avoid using harsh soaps to wash the body

• It is advised to choose glycerin soap, as it is devoid of any chemical compounds, as is olive oil soap or shea butter soap.

Use a soft loofah

• Rubbing the skin vigorously leads to more dryness, peeling, and inflammation that causes redness and irritation of the skin, and it is preferable to choose a soft loofah and use it gently during the shower.

Put on sunscreen when you leave the house

• The damage of the ultraviolet rays of the sun is not limited to the summer season, but it can cause burns and inflammation of the skin in the winter season, so it is recommended to apply sunscreen before leaving the house.

Wear gloves outside the home

• The hand is one of the parts of the body that is most prone to dryness, itching and inflammation in the winter season, and therefore it is advised to wear gloves before leaving the house to reduce exposure of the hand to cold air.
• Also, hand socks should be used when doing dishwashing and also during cleaning, as these detergents contain compounds harmful to the skin and cause dryness and irritation.

Choose clothes made from natural fibers

• Synthetic fibers increase inflammation and itching of the skin, and therefore it is recommended to choose clothes made of natural fibers, especially the inner layer that directly touches the skin.

Boost immune system health

• Bacterial infections, fungi and viruses that attack the body in the winter season can be controlled by eating healthy foods that boost the immune system's functions in fighting infections.
• Vegetables and fruits are among the most important foods in the winter season, in addition to whole grains, protein and dairy products.
• It is advised to reduce the intake of harmful foods such as fats, fried foods and sugars, as they increase the chances of infection.
• It is also necessary to get enough sleep daily and exercise to strengthen the immune system and increase its ability to fight infection.

Not touching the hand to the face

• Bacteria and germs can transfer to the face when touching it with the hand , as the hand is exposed to all kinds of pollutants , and therefore, care must be taken to wash hands constantly throughout the day.

Smartphone cleaning

• The smartphone carries many bacteria and germs , which are easily transferred to the face in the event of contact with it, so it is preferable not to touch the smartphone directly with the face , and to be careful to clean and disinfect it thoroughly constantly.

De-stress

• Stress plays a big role in the health of the skin, as it causes an imbalance of hormones, and therefore it is recommended to get rid of stress by sleeping well and practicing yoga exercises that help relax.

Not to scratch the skin

• If you feel itching due to inflammation and irritation of the skin, it is not recommended to scratch, and a lotion can be used to relieve the feeling of itching.

Treat the problem before it gets worse

• You should start treating any skin problem as soon as it appears so that it does not get worse, for example, dry areas should be moistened to avoid feeling itchy, which could lead to cracking and wounds in the skin. In the event that an abnormal skin problem appears, you should consult a doctor to find out its causes and methods of treatment.

Source: Cura