Health Wikipedia

You may love the rain but too much moisture in this weather may cause harm to your beloved skin. Depending on the skin type, humid and wet weather causes unusual activities on the surface of the skin and leads to oily, patchy, and dry skin. Soaked skin particularly of the feet and legs, is very much prone to fungal infections. With a little precaution and simple measures we can save ourselves a lot of misery over bad skin.

One important problem of the rainy season is dull and lifeless skin. This is mainly due to the high humidity in the atmosphere and uneven distribution of moisture. The first and foremost thing to get rid of this is cleanliness. We should follow a regular routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising the skin. It is best to use a gentle non drying soap and splash plain water several times a day on the face. It is best to follow up this measure with use an exfoliating face scrub to remove dead cells and increase collagen production. Do not apply oil on your skin, especially face. If you apply oil, your skin will remain oily throughout the day. This way you will allow your skin to accumulate dust and different other harmful elements.

Since your face is exposed all the time, there are all the chances that you pick up an infection on it. If you have got wet due to rains, dry yourself up, as soon as possible. Do not think that since you are already washed up with rain water there is no need to wash up your face and hands. In fact, it is advisable that you take a bath after getting wet due to rain water.

Reason number one is that it washes out all rain water from your skin, hair and head. This will prevent rain water from being absorbed by your head, which otherwise become a cause of headache, fever and related troubles. Another reason is that you will save your skin from the contact of any harmful elements contained by the rain water.

Your skin feels sticky during the rains, but this is not because your oil glands are overactive. During the rains, due to the humidity in the air, you sweat more. This leaves a sticky, moist layer on your skin. To feel better, wash your face with plain water. Avoid using soap because too much soap can dry up your skin — and steal its natural oils.

One may notice pimples, and breakouts on the skin, which is mainly due to dirt and pollutants attracted by the sweat. The tip to solve this problem during the rainy season lies in cleaning and maintaining a clean skin.

One of the biggest skin complaints during the monsoon is fungal infections. A fungus thrives in humidity — wet skin folds rubbing against each other get macerated easily, providing easy entry to fungi and yeast. As a result, you develop itchy, circular, reddish, flaking patches on the body, especially in skin folds at the groin, underarms and around the breast in women.

Fungal infections can also affect your feet, especially if you wear closed shoes all day. Staying dry is the best way to avoid them. Carry a set of dry clothes and footwear to the office and change immediately if you have gotten drenched on your way.

Once you are seated at your desk, take your shoes and socks off to allow air circulation around your feet. Wear sandals or floaters as far as possible. Use plenty of dusting talc to prevent accumulation of sweat and moisture in skin folds. Those prone to repeated fungal infections can use medicated powders prescribed by a dermatologist. To prevent this thoroughly wash your feet with soap and hot water after wading through stagnant water and then dry them completely. If the water was particularly dirty, it is advisable after the wash to soak your feet for a few minutes in a tub of warm water.

Scabies is another common infection that preys on both children and adults during the monsoon — it is caused by a mite infestation. If your child complains about a body itch that intensifies at night and you see a few red bumps or a rash on his/her hands, wrists, underarms, abdomen, groin and buttocks, then rush to the dermatologist — this condition is highly contagious and invariably spreads to the family if not treated properly.

Drink a lot fluid as the rainy season can be deceptively dehydrating. Fruits like guavas, papayas, apples, oranges and also include dry-fruits like nuts, almonds are also a good option that are rich in anti-oxidants and nutrients that fight against microorganism and prevent infections. Skin is a sensitive and important organ that should be taken care of properly particularly in this season. A bit of negligence on this part can become a cause of trouble for you.

Ordinarily, dry skin (xerosis) is not serious, but it can be uncomfortable and unsightly, turning plump cells into shriveled ones and creating fine lines and wrinkles.

Serious dry skin conditions — an inherited group of disorders called ichthyosis — can sometimes be disfiguring, causing psychological distress. Fortunately, most dry skin results from environmental factors that can be wholly or partially controlled.

These include exposure to hot or cold weather with low humidity levels and excessive bathing. Chronic or severe dry skin problems may require a dermatologist’s evaluation. But first you can do a lot on your own to improve your skin, including using moisturisers, bathing less and avoiding harsh, drying soaps.

Symptoms
Dry skin is often just a temporary problem — one you experience only in winter, for example — but it may be a lifelong concern. And although skin is often driest on your arms, lower legs and the sides of your abdomen, this pattern can vary considerably from person to person.

Signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health status, your locale, the amount of time you spend outdoors, and the cause of the problem.

If you have dry skin, you are likely to experience one or more of the following:

* A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming

* Skin that appears shrunken or dehydrated

* Skin that feels and looks rough rather than smooth

* Itching (pruritus) that sometimes may be intense

* Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling

* Fine lines or cracks

* Redness

* Deep fissures that may bleed in severe cases

When to see a doctor
Most cases of dry skin respond well to lifestyle and home remedies. See your doctor if:

* Your skin does not improve in spite of your best efforts

* Dry skin is accompanied by redness

* Dryness and itching interfere with sleeping

* You have open sores or infections from scratching

* You have large areas of scaling or peeling skin

Causes
Though most cases of dry skin are caused by environmental exposures, certain diseases also can significantly alter the function and appearance of your skin. Potential causes of dry skin include weather, central heating and air conditioning, hot baths and showers, harsh soaps and detergents, sun exposure, Psoriasis, thyroid disorders etc.

Complications
Dry skin that is not cared for can lead to diseases like Atopic dermatitis (eczema), Folliculitis and Cellulitis.

Treatments and drugs
In most cases, dry skin problems respond well to home and lifestyle measures, such as using moisturisers and avoiding long, hot showers and baths.

If home lifestyle and remedies do not work well or your condition is serious, you may consult a dermatologist to get the appropriate treatment.

Lifestyle and home remedies
Although it may not be possible to achieve flawless skin, the following measures can help keep your skin moist and healthy:

* Moisturise your skin. Moisturisers provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping. Thicker moisturisers work best. You may also want to use cosmetics that contain moisturisers.

If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to apply an oil, such as baby oil, while your skin is still moist. Oil has more staying power than moisturisers do and prevents the evaporation of water from the surface of your skin.

* Use warm water and limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time to about 15 minutes or less, and use warm, rather than hot, water.

* Avoid harsh, drying soaps. If you have dry skin, it is best to use cleansing creams or gentle skin cleansers and bath or shower gels with added moisturisers. Choose mild soaps that have added oils and fats.

Avoid deodorant and antibacterial detergents, which are especially harsh. You might want to experiment with several brands until you find one that works particularly well for you. A good rule of thumb is that your skin should feel soft and smooth after cleansing, never tight or dry.

* Apply moisturisers immediately after bathing. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on the skin. Immediately moisturise your skin with an oil or cream to help trap water in the surface cells.

* Use a humidifier. Hot, dry indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching and flaking. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace adds moisture to the air inside your home. Portable humidifiers come in many varieties. Choose one that meets your budget and any special needs. And be sure to keep your humidifier clean to ward off bacteria and fungi.

* Choose fabrics that are kind to your skin. Natural fibers such as cotton and silk allow your skin to breathe. But wool, although it certainly qualifies as natural, can irritate even normal skin. When you wash your clothes, try to use detergents without dyes or perfumes, both of which can irritate your skin.

If dry skin causes itching, apply cool compresses to the area. To reduce inflammation, use a nonprescription hydrocortisone cream or ointment, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone.

If these measures do not relieve your symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, see your doctor or consult a dermatologist.

Dry hands, arid skin, desiccated hair, more asthma and heart attacks, cold and flu- are the woes of winter. Living well in this wintertime needs extra caution as the cold weather ushers annoying health issues. To help combat the pesky wintertime problems, here are some tips and advice on how to keep your body in fit throughout the winter months.

Proper clothing
When outside for an extended period of time, it is important to find the right, and correct, amount of clothing to wear. Again, wear too much and you can sweat too much increasing susceptibility to hypothermia. The clothes that will release heat are ideal. Because if you start to sweat, that can decrease your heat as water is a gateway to lose heat. Also, if your clothes get wet, you can get yourself into trouble. We need to wear clothes that will not stay sopping wet like cotton does.

Protecting our head and neck are also important because a significant amount of heat can be lost if the head, ears and face are not covered.

We have to be especially careful to cover our fingers, nose, ears and toes because they are the most vulnerable to frostbite.

Skin care
Cracking, chaffing, dry patches, and itchiness — all are unpleasant symptoms of dry and irritated skin that often comes with winter. As temperatures drop, the wind howls, and humidity levels hit an all-year low, and our skin requires extra attention and care to stay healthy. To be sure you are effectively treating and protecting your skin during the harsh winter season, the following skin care tips may be helpful:

Create a barrier with moisturisers: When applying lotions and cremes, you are creating a barrier to protect your skin against dryness. This barrier allows time for hydration and healing to occur from the inside. For best results, regularly apply these immediately following a bath or shower, when the skin is still moist.

Take shorter, cooler showers: Despite how soothing a long, hot shower feels when it is chilly outside, the steam and heat can do skin more harm than good by drawing out moisture that is on the skin and causing dryness. Instead, keep the water temperature comfortably warm and take shorter showers.

Avoid harsh soaps and cleansers: Pay special attention when picking your soap, as certain seemingly-mild cleansers actually contain chemicals that strip water from the skin. Generally, products containing preservatives, fragrances, and lye are harsher and more irritating to the skin. Instead, look for products that contain glycerin which maintains moisture.

And here is a tip for your lips — always wears some form of lip gloss or chapstick to wet your lips.

For your hair
Scalp itchiness, static, dry hair — they are common issues for people in this season.

According to experts, hot oil treatment can help a lot in this regard. Depending on how dry your hair and scalp are, you can use them once a week to once a month. It is also recommended not to wash hair as often, as that contributes to dryness.

And to fight static, consider using a more protein-based conditioner, which will be heavier. To help you choose one, consult with the hair specialists or dermatologists.

Winter injuries
Existing conditions can also be affected by the cold weather. It is important for people with asthma or chronic bronchitis to be very careful specially when during physical exertion in the cold. Cold air can be a significant trigger for those with exercise-induced asthma and they need to prepare for that by having their inhaler, as well as a mask or scarf to warm cold air before breathing it in.

We often forget to protect us properly from the increased intensity of sunlight in winter. Application proper sunscreen on a bright, sunny day can save us from getting sunburn. Sunglasses or goggles also help protect the eyes from the glare of the snow.

Water intake
Just because you are not as thirsty or sweating as much does not mean fluid is not being lost. It is a big problem with the cold because when it is hot, you sweat and understand that you need to replace your fluids. You are not sweating as much, but you still are losing fluids the same as if you were exercising in the summer time. Hydrating beforehand with 8 to 10 glasses of fluid helps a lot and you should also be hydrating during activities no matter what your thirst mechanism is telling you.

Beating the winter blues
Cold is around and people are cooped up in home isolating them more and they are more inclined to stay in. The shorter days and colder temperatures may make you feel blue in the winter, a disease called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The disorder affects people of all ages and races, and the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person. SAD may require medication for some, but for others, a simple change in food may better their mood. Treatments can range from things as simple as taking a walk and opening the blinds during the day something more complex like light therapy and group psychotherapy. Doctors say the easiest thing you can do is be in touch with others, and yourself and your feelings.

Dr Md Rajib Hossain…