Skin is an important part of our body which can be directly influenced by weather changes. Temperature and humidity fluctuations as well as seasonal lifestyle changes can trigger or worsen uncomfortable, unattractive skin rashes. In Chennai, winter is not as cold as our nearest metro, Bangalore. But that doesn’t guarantee a safe period for skin in Chennai’s winter either. What are some symptoms of “winter skin”? And more importantly, what skin care options are there to reclaim a healthy glow?

Most people’s skin becomes a bit drier in the winter. However, people with preexisting skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and acne may suffer from exacerbated symptoms during the winter months. While winter weather does not cause skin rashes, it can aggravate them or trigger their onset, inducing dry, flaky, red, itchy, and acne-covered skin. Sufferers of eczema, the chronic, hereditary skin disorder characterized by patches of red, scaly, irritated, itchy skin may experience intensified symptoms when the skin loses its moisture in cold, dry weather.Rosacea, another chronic skin condition, causes red, flushed, blotched skin, visible blood vessels, and rosacea pimples. These symptoms can flare up or worsen because of stress and emotional disturbances, reduced immune response, and drastic temperature changes. For people for whom acne is already the bane of their existence, winter weather can worsen the problem. Winter air can dry the skin, increase dead skin cells that clog the pores, and cause skin irritation and bacteria-attracting sores.

Protection Tips

--When not suffering from fever, sinus headache, nasal congestion, asthma, cough – people should ensure that they have complete oil bath twice a month. Ayurvedic Abhyanga is the right therapy which can maintain the skin texture. It has all the ingredients of a complete oil bath. The choice of medicated oil, duration, frequency will be determined by an Ayurvedic doctor who can understand the skin nature and associated factors like weather etc.

--Minimize stress and manage it with positive coping techniques.

--In Ayurvedic sense, digestion and metabolism are at best in winter. Hence, except for people with increased blood cholesterol and cardiac illness, ghee is recommended along with the first few bolus of rice intake or ghee processed foods in warm state are good for health.

--Avoid deep fried Spicy non-vegetarian recipes.

-- Avoid use of body shampoo, soaps that can further dry up the skin. More importantly never use new face creams, soaps which are marketed as cosmetic remedies. Your skin care gets complete only by internal medicine usage.
We will discuss in detail about the above said common skin diseases of winter in the upcoming issues.

Dr.M.Harikrishnan MD(Ayu.) Medical Officer, rVita Ayurveda Center, Velachery Mob-9500123415