How does cold affect the skin?

 

What is the effect of cold on the skin?

     The skin is affected by cold and winter weather due to the nature of the air in the surrounding atmosphere, as this effect ranges from commonly occurring natural problems such as dryness and cracking of the skin, to rare problems such as frostbite, and in In general, some of the effects of cold on the skin are shown      Dry skin and loss of hydration. 

Skin dryness and loss of moisture

     Dry skin and loss of hydration are a common problem during the cold months, and this is due to several reasons, among which are:

Changing levels of moisture in the air

This can reduce the skin's moisture and the amount of oils present in the skin, contributing to dryness and irritation, as published by (Journal of Drugs in Dermatology) in 2015.  

     heating use

Turning on the heat in homes and buildings during cold weather further reduces the moisture in the air, which affects skin moisture.

The influence of weather factors during the winter period

The winter period when cold weather is often accompanied by strong winds and rain, and this can contribute to reducing the amount of natural oils on the skin.

     hot shower

     Which causes damage to the outer layer of the skin and dryness, and using strong, deep detergents while scrubbing the skin contributes to skin damage.  

Possibility of skin cracking

     Exacerbation of dry skin in the cold, the causes of which have already been mentioned, and inattention to control it, can lead to cracks in the skin, and these cracks can be accompanied by other symptoms, including:

• Bleeding from the incisions.

• Desquamation of the skin.

• The appearance of gray skin.

•  redness of the skin

•  Roughness of the skin texture.

•  feeling itchy

     Possible exacerbation of symptoms of some skin diseases.

Cold weather in winter exacerbates some skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. Here is an explanation of this effect:

• eczema

     Winter is associated with dry skin, as we mentioned above, and dryness is one of the most important symptoms and signs of eczema, so the condition worsens in winter.

• psoriasis

Dry air in the cold and the absence of sunlight make psoriasis difficult to control. Guttate psoriasis is one of the most common types of winter psoriasis because it is associated with a strep throat infection that spreads during the cold period.

     This problem can be controlled and the symptoms can be controlled by following a series of tips, including:

• Avoid exposure to sudden changes in temperature.

• Make sure that the skin is constantly hydrated.

• Use gentle skin care tools.

• Operate humidifiers.

• Keep the body warm by using gloves and the necessary winter clothing.

•  Avoid using very hot water.

     Freezing

     This can occur as a result of exposure to very low temperatures (below freezing), leading to frostbite of the skin and tissues underneath, resulting in the skin appearing pale or bluish with a cold sensation.   , hardness or numbness inside. It is susceptible to frostbite in some cases, including:

• Not wearing proper clothing in the cold.

• Suffering from dehydration or exhaustion.

•      old age or early age.

• Suffer from some health problems.

     How can you mitigate the effect of cold on the skin?

     Some tips help mitigate the effects of cold on the skin, and these tips include the following:

     Hydration of the skin with a suitable moisturizing cream

     It is important to moisturize your skin regularly and choose the right moisturizer for your skin during the winter season, and this depends on the degree of dryness of the skin and the possibility of exposing it to pimples.   For example, dry skin needs more intense moisturizers to help keep the skin hydrated.

     Avoid taking hot showers for long periods of time.

In the shower, the skin dries out in winter, as it helps the skin to get rid of the natural oils it secretes, so lukewarm or lukewarm water should be used instead of hot water.  

 Use sunscreen

Constantly during the winter season, it is important to use sunscreen half an hour before going outside, taking care to reapply it according to the time of exposure to the sun, since winter sun exposure and glare from snow can cause great damage .   To the skin

A visit to the doctor

It is good to visit a dermatologist to learn about the nature of the skin, how to treat it and choose the right products for it, in addition to detecting any changes in the skin that cause concern, such as appearance.

Article Summary

The cold affects the skin, causing it to dry out, crack or exacerbate some of the skin problems that the individual suffers from, such as eczema and psoriasis.  Exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite, so care should be taken to moisturize the skin and avoid exposing the body to hot water. And use sun protection creams, and warm the body well, to protect the skin from the cold.