5 skin issues you face in winters

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Low humidity and hot showers can be harsh for your skin in winters. This can create other problems for your skin and also lead to some serious skin conditions if not taken care of.

Here are 5 skin issues we generally face during the chilly weather:

Dry Skin: It is quite common for people to have dry skin in winters. The air is harsh and dry making the water in your skin evaporate quickly taking the natural oils away with it. This makes the skin dry and tight making it cracked and flaky.

In fact, your skin loses 25 percent of its ability to hold moisture in winters.   It is worse for people with naturally dry skin and they needs extra care and attention during the winter months by regularly moisturizing it.(1)

Oily Skin: Winters welcomes change to the skin. These changes can be varied and counterintuitive. For some people, dry skin means overproduction of sebum, an oily substance secreted by your hair and skin to keep it moisturized.

Overproduction of sebum can make your skin greasy and cause breakouts. Proper care according to your skin type is needed to balance the moisture and keep your skin healthy.(2)

Chapped skin: A painful combination of sun exposure, dehydrated skin and sunburn can cause chapped skin. It can also turn red and sore which causes irritation and itchiness. Worst-case scenario, it can even cause infection if the cracks are deep.

Since we do not sweat enough during winters and there is accelerated water loss and our constant need to keep our body warm makes the skin cracked. If we moisture it enough, a layer is created as a barrier which protects the skin from drying up.(3)

Keratosis Pilaris: A harmless skin condition which usually appears during winters causing the skin to have small, rough and red little bumps around hair follicles on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and cheeks.

It is caused by excess production of keratin which protects the skin from infection. It is quite common to suffer from Keratosis Pilaris and there’s nothing to worry about. It reduces with the onset of summer.(1) (4)

Eczema: Also known as atopic dermatitis. Eczema causes itchy, red, scaly, dry skin which can also cause inflammation. The exact cause of eczema is unknown but it is linked to an overactive response by the body’s immune system by an irritant.

Children are more prone to suffer from eczema and it gradually decreases with age.  Due to air being dryer during winters eczema can flare up and worsen.(5)

Winters are beautiful, and during this festive season we tend to get busy with our lives and forget to take care of our delicate skin. It is important to moisturize it and keep it healthy. After all, it’s our biggest organ.

Is your skin problem beyond just winter issues? Need dermatological advice?  Download the CureSkin App now by clicking here to get the best treatment. It’s easy, fast and affordable!

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Picture of Dr Jisha Gomez

Dr Jisha Gomez

She is a highly skilled dermatology physician with strong expertise in improving skin & hair health through the development of corrective treatment combinations. She completed her Post-graduate Diploma in Dermatology from Cardiff, UK & Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine (FAM) from the Institute of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Delhi with over 5+ years experience treating skin patients. She has worked in Government hospitals in Trivandrum and Bangalore. She is actively involved in creating awareness for healthy skin, breaking the social stigma based on skin colour & stopping steroid abuse in our country.