During the winter months, many individuals experience skin issues such as eczema, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. These conditions tend to worsen in colder climates due to the extreme drying conditions. The drop in humidity and temperature leads to a loss of moisture in the skin, causing dryness, redness, and cracking.
It is not uncommon for individuals with eczema to seek treatment more frequently during the winter. In fact, over 31 million Americans have some form of eczema. Similarly, other skin conditions like rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis also tend to flare up in the winter.
The main culprit behind these skin issues is the disruption of the skin barrier. The skin barrier acts as a protective layer, sealing in moisture and keeping out irritants. However, the dry winter air can strip away this moisture, leading to dry and irritated skin.
Several factors can exacerbate these skin issues during winter. Indoor heating, hot water, vigorous towel drying, hand sanitizers with high alcohol content, and certain fabrics like wool and synthetics can all contribute to further drying and irritation of the skin.
To alleviate discomfort and protect the skin barrier, there are several measures individuals can take. Repairing the skin barrier is crucial, and using products with ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin B5 can help. Thicker creams and ointments are more effective than thin lotions. Petroleum-based products like Vaseline or Aquaphor can soften dry and cracked areas, while also soothing chapped lips.
Other preventive measures include wearing sunscreen with at least UPF 30, getting some sunlight for vitamin D production (or considering a supplement), staying hydrated, layering clothing made of 100% cotton, using humidifiers to add moisture to indoor air, and managing stress levels.
Taking a multi-pronged approach that includes these measures can help individuals maintain healthier skin during the winter months. Being mindful of the products used, avoiding irritants, and seeking medical help if necessary are all important steps in managing and preventing skin issues.
Katika miezi ya majira ya baridi kali, watu wengi hupata matatizo ya ngozi kama vile eczema, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, na psoriasis. Hali hizo huendelea kuwa mbaya zaidi katika maeneo yenye baridi kali kwa sababu ya hali kali za kukausha. Kupungua kwa unyevu na halijoto husababisha ngozi kupoteza unyevu, na kusababisha kukauka, kuharibika, na kupasuka. Si jambo lisilo la kawaida kwa watu wenye eczema kutafuta matibabu mara nyingi zaidi wakati wa majira ya baridi kali. Zaidi ya watu milioni 31 nchini Marekani wana aina fulani ya ugonjwa wa eczema. Kwa mfano, ugonjwa wa ngozi unaoitwa rosacea na seborrheic dermatitis ni hatari sana kwa wanawake. Kosa kuu nyuma ya matatizo haya ya ngozi ni kuvunjika kwa kizuizi cha ngozi. Barrier ya ngozi hufanya kazi kama tabaka la kinga, kufunga katika unyevu na kuweka nje irritants. Hata hivyo, hewa kavu ya majira ya baridi kali yaweza kuondoa unyevu huo, na kusababisha ngozi kuwa kavu na kuchochewa. Kuna mambo kadhaa yanayoweza kuharibu ngozi wakati wa majira ya baridi kali. Kuongeza joto, maji moto, kufuta taulo kwa nguvu, dawa za kuosha mikono zenye kiasi kikubwa cha pombe, na nguo fulani kama vile sufu na nyenzo za synthetic, zote zinaweza kuchochea ngozi kuoka na kuchochea. Ili kupunguza maumivu na kulinda kizuizi cha ngozi, kuna hatua kadhaa ambazo watu wanaweza kuchukua. Kwa hivyo, ni muhimu kurekebisha kizuizi cha ngozi, na kutumia bidhaa zenye viungo kama vile ceramides, cholesterol, oatmeal ya colloidal, glycerin, asidi ya hyaluronic, na vitamini B5 inaweza kusaidia. Krimu na matoleo mazito yana matokeo zaidi kuliko lotions nyembamba. Vifaa vya mafuta kama vile Vaseline au Aquafor vinaweza kuyeyusha maeneo yaliyo kavu na yaliyovunjika, na pia kutuliza midomo iliyochongoka. Hatua nyingine za kuzuia ni pamoja na kuvaa sunscreen na angalau UPF 30, kupata mwanga wa jua kwa ajili ya uzalishaji wa vitamini D (au kuzingatia kuongeza), kukaa hydrated, layering nguo zilizotengenezwa kwa 100% pamba, kutumia humidifiers kuongeza unyevu kwa hewa ya ndani, na kusimamia viwango vya mkazo. Kuchukua mbinu ya pande nyingi ambayo inajumuisha hatua hizi inaweza kusaidia watu kudumisha ngozi yenye afya wakati wa miezi ya majira ya baridi. Kuangalia bidhaa zinazotumiwa, kuepuka vitu vinavyosumbua, na kutafuta msaada wa daktari ikiwa ni lazima ni hatua muhimu katika kusimamia na kuzuia matatizo ya ngozi.