KATHMANDU: Doctors say many skin diseases appear with the advance of the winter.

People tend to drink less water in the cold seasons. In this regard to discuss what kind of skin problems appear in this season and how we should take care of them, Khabarhub’s Bina Neupane approached dermatologist Shambhu Joshi. Excerpts of the conversation:

As winter progresses, what kind of problems do we see on our skin?

Our country has mountains and plains. It is very cold in the mountains. The weather is extreme in the plains, very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter.

Our skin’s protection layer gets affected by the cold. Hence, many skin problems are seen in this season. Due to that effect, the skin will be swollen.

As the skin becomes inflamed, it breaks and cracks. The problem of dry skin and itching is very common in patients who take strong drugs, those who have kidney transplants, or those who have diabetes.

Is this problem due to the cold?

The main reason is cold because of the humidity outside. It is different then (in summer) and now. In winter, one does not even sweat, and one has a habit of drinking less water.

The outside environment also becomes dry and the dryness of the skin increases. If we don’t apply oil or lotion, the skin will be dry and if it itches a lot, it will cause sores.

What kind of person is more likely to have dryness?

This problem is seen in those who stay indoors. In addition, the dryness will also increase due to warming in the fire, riding a bike outside, and even sitting in a bus with the windows open.

As it is the harvesting season, paddy harvesting is prone to allergic reactions. Some skin diseases can get inherited.

Children are also allergic to colored clothes worn for warmth in winter. Eating disorders can affect elderly people. Not drinking enough water can also result in dry and itchy skin.

People who work in farms or hotels have to play with cold water during winter. Even after working with cold water, their skin becomes cold and dry.

This is also a problem because there is too much soap in it. Many problems are seen in the cold months of winter for not taking a bath.

Such skin problems get transmitted from one to another. The problem of heat also comes in winter. When you drink more alcohol, the amount of water will be less. This is due to infection. The use of random creams also causes skin problems.

Does the use of random cream affect later or immediately?

Not everyone knows what cream to use on the skin, what type of cream to use on which part of the body, or what to apply for the babies.

The sellers give the creams or lotions available with them irrespective of what type of medications to use. If it doesn’t match, the skin itself can get damaged. So it is better to consult a dermatologist for treatment.

Why is there a problem with melasma in the cold season?

There is one that appears on the hair and the other on the face. Ingrown hair means that the upper layer of the skin gradually peels off. If this fungus infection occurs, it will also cause swelling.

A way to avoid this is to always use the same shampoo. Sometimes it happens when you use an anti-dandruff shampoo. If someone is infected with melasma, the cloth, towel, and helmet that he uses should not be used by others. It passes from one to another.

Even when washing clothes, it is better to wash your pillowcases and hats separately. Wash helmets and apply olive oil, coconut oil, mustard oil, etc. If there is too much melasma, you must take medicine from a specialist doctor.

One can find ‘Ritha’ (soap nut), in the mountains. It is beneficial in the treatment of skin pigmentation. Even shampoos containing aloe vera are good. Some people think that this problem is solved by shaving the hair completely, but it is wrong for the problem comes from hair pigmentation.

How to take care of the skin from morning to evening in this season?

Skin is the sensitive part of our body. It should be protected from both heat and cold. As soon as you wake up in the morning, wash your face with clean water.

Make a towel to wipe your face. Even when wiping the face, wipe gently by tapping, not by rubbing. When you clean gently, the skin does not become irritated or red. Do not make the face very dry. Apply the same cream you have been applying before.

You should apply oil and lotion to the baby. Baby lotion is available for the baby to apply. The lotion prevents external elements from getting into the skin.

Elderlies or adults also use good face wash and sun creams. Sun creams can be used 3 to 4 times a day. Use a wide-toothed comb on your hair, and if your hair is very frizzy, you can use a conditioner after shampooing. Moisturizer cream can be applied all over the body. It can be applied thickly on the hands and feet. One application of moisturizer lasts for two days.

Ensure drinking a lot of water and urinate. If you don’t drink a lot of water, you will get stones. Use a face wash, and night cream in the evening.

One can use vitamin C serums as well. D-pigmentation serums should also be used in the evening. Apply anti-aging serums.

When first using it, use it on the lower part of the neck and the elbow, and if it dries up after a day, apply it on the face. Loosen the hair while sleeping at night; do not make it tight. Find out what type of skin it is.

When you wake up in the morning, if you find the sweat a bit sticky, then it is oily skin, and if it is hard to even when you wash your face, even when you laugh, then it is dry skin. Some also have a mixed type.

This is done by applying a mixed face wash. However, when applying lemon, and rice flour oneself, there is a fat chance of causing skin trauma due to the small particles.

What are the things one should not miss while taking care of the skin?

We don’t have to worry about getting cancer because we have wheat-fair skin. Diet is important for our skin. For that, don’t take too much alcohol, or cigarettes, eat carbohydrates, protein, fat and water; eat more vegetables, find out which food you are allergic to and don’t eat it.

Steam and exercise daily. Once strong creams are applied, they are not normal afterward and lead to more infections.

If you have any other problems, you should go to the nearest dermatologist and get advice. Carry a small bag of moisturizer in your pocket during winter and apply it on your hands and feet from time to time. Do not sit in the heat at once during very cold weather; avoid alcohol.