Winter Care – Causes, Symptoms And Treatment For Dry Skin

November 28, 2018
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Who hasn’t suffered from dry skin, especially in the harsh winter months! There are a lot of over-the-counter skin care products especially available for winter care, but most of them don’t suit our needs well. You might have also worried about what is causing the condition in the first place. If you are looking for an answer and want some solutions then just read through!

CAUSES OF DRY SKIN:

Harsh soaps: Did you ever realize that the very soap, whose fragrance you love the most and which has been advertised by your favourite celebrity is causing your skin to crack up? Yes, most of the soaps are formulated to remove oil and have an alkaline pH. However, our skin has an acidic surface which tends to dry out due to these soaps.

Environment: Dry skin is most often than not caused by environmental factors. Winter weather causes the skin to dry up due to low temperatures and low humidity levels. Living in very hot places also has a similar effect on the skin.

Heating: Central heating systems and wood-burning stoves reduce the humidity and cause dry skin.

Hot showers: Who wouldn’t want to take a long, hot shower in the cold winter weather? But, did you realize that it could strip your skin off the much-needed moisture?

Swimming pools: The chlorinated water of the swimming pool can cause dry skin in people who tend to use the pool more often.

Other skin conditions: People suffering from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are prone to dry skin.

SYMPTOMS:

  • A feeling of skin tightness, usually after bathing, swimming, or showering.
  • Rough skin that could be scaly or flaking.
  • Grey, ashy skin in severe cases (usually in dark-skinned people).
  • Cracked or chapped lips.
  • Cracks in the skin (usually of fingers and toes, as well as feet) that may bleed.

REMEDIES AND TREATMENT:

It is important to consult a doctor and seek appropriate medical care in case you experience itching and dryness that interfere with sleep, develop open sores or infection, develop large areas with peeling skin or scaly skin. Open cracks and bleeding skin can provide an avenue for bacteria. People suffering from skin conditions such as eczema can develop redness, cracking, and inflammation due to excessive dryness, which needs prompt medical attention.

Remedies: Without any further ado, let us take a look at the general remedies or measures you could take to avoid dry skin condition or to treat it.

Moisturize: After a bath or shower, tap your face dry and apply a good moisturizer immediately. Moisturizing before going to bed helps to leave the moisture in for a longer time. Moisturizers containing lactic acid are a good choice for those with very dry skin. Avoid over-moisturizing as it may not allow the skin to breathe.

Use a gentle cleanser: Instead of the regular harsh soap, use a gentle moisturizing cleanser that allows your skin to breathe.

Limit shower time: Showering for no longer than 10 minutes will help retain the natural moisture in the skin. Avoid excessively hot water.

Cover up when outside: As winter weather can dehydrate your skin, always make sure to wear a scarf and gloves when you go out.

Protect your hands: For those who have to immerse their hands in water for a long time, especially nurses or hair stylists, even if you are simply working in the kitchen doing dishes, it is advisable to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the harsh detergents and excessive water exposure.

Treatment:

Very dry and itchy skin can lead to a condition known as dermatitis, which is inflammation of the skin. This is treated with hydrocortisone-containing lotions. If the skin cracks open, wet dressings may be prescribed. For psoriasis, ichthyosis, or atopic dermatitis, medicated creams and ointments are prescribed.

All-Natural moisturises (DIYs)

Our kitchen is a store-house of several natural moisturizes. So before running to the store for buying expensive products, look around your home first. We bring you this special section on natural moisturizes, which can give you a glowing and hydrated skin!

Honey: Make a paste out of 2 tbsp of raw, organic honey with 8 tbsp of water. Apply to skin and allow to dry, then wash off with warm water.

Milk: Enjoy the benefits of deep skin hydration and get a super smooth skin with raw milk. Apply on face, arms and neck directly or mixed with Besan as a face pack. Leave on for 10 min and wash off with lukewarm water.

Aloe: Apply organic or fresh aloe vera gel all over the face and neck. Allow to dry for 5 to 10 minutes and wash with warm water.

Cucumber: Puree a cucumber and mix with a few drops of raw, organic honey. Apply this soothing, hydrating mask for 15 minutes and clean off with water.

Coconut oil, Castor oil, Sesame Oil: All these oils are easily absorbed into the skin. These act as effective lubricants and work well on dry patches. Apply generously on skin before a bath or apply a few drops on dry skin before bedtime.

Olive oil: Mix around 5 tbsp of olive oil with a few drops of lavender oil into your bath water and experience their hydrating effect.

Shea butter: Slather shea butter all over your skin and reap the benefits of Vitamins A and F found in the butter.

So friends, we at Mesmara hope that you will enjoy this winter without the usual troubles of dry skin. Mesmara offers pure forms of Shea Butter, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Aloe Vera Powder, and Lavender Oil. For your convenience, Mesmara has also launched new 1 litre bottles of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil and Cold Pressed Sesame Oil. Click here to buy these products.

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