Skin care in winter
Cold weather is responsible for various types of skin disease. Not only adult but also children are affected by winter. Although dryness of skin is the main cause of this problem, there are other diseases like scabies which can occur in winter. Generally scabies is the diseases of hot weather but in rural and slum areas many people suffer from scabies in winter. Due to lack of cleanliness or regular shower in cold weather, people of those areas are prone to scabies. Scabies is an intensely itchy rash caused by mite sarcoptes scabiei. It presents clinically with itchy rash, which can occur in between web spaces of fingers and toes, on the palms and soles, around the axillae, nipple and genitalia or anywhere in the body bellow neck (except for neonate).Treatment involves application of a topical scabicide (permethrin) to the whole body and washing off after 12 hours. All close contacts should be treated at the same time even if they are found asymptomatic. Dry skin is a very common problem and is often worse during the winter when environmental humidity is low. Dry skin results when there is not enough water in the stratum corneum (a layer of skin) for it to function properly. This may happen when protective oils in the stratum corneum are lost and the water that is normally present in the skin is allowed to escape. Keeping the skin well moisturised is the best prevention. Use basic moisturisers like petroleum jelly rather than perfumed and creamy ones which are good only for borderline dryness. Watermelon juice is another good home remedy for skin dryness. If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents — all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol and masks that are "deeply hydrating," rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face. And use them a little less often. You should maintain the following things for better skin care in winter : 1. Avoid hot water bath. Take bath in lukewarm water 2. Avoid using harsh soaps try using body-wash which has moisturiser 3. When drying your skin after you take bath, don't wipe your skin with the towel; just gently touch you skin so that the towel soaks the water leaving some moisture behind 4. Immediately after taking bath apply body lotion generously all over your body not just your face. Apply the body lotion 2 times a day, better you apply in the night. Coconut oil is good to use at night In case of severe skin problem you should consult with a specialist for cure. Do not use any drugs without prescription. If you go to your local drugstore, you will hardly find a salesperson who can give you good advice. He may insist you to buy expensive products. But inexpensive products work just as well as high-end ones, That is why, going to a dermatologist even once is a good investment. Such a specialist can analyse your skin type, troubleshoot your current skin care regimen and give you advice on the skin care products you should be using. The writer is an Assistant Registrar of Paediatrics Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka.
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