By following some simple tips for skin, you can overcome this seasonal problem.

Ella L. Toombs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of Aesthetic Dermatology of Dupont Circle, in Washington, D.C. says, “During winter months, the air, devoid of moisture content sucks up the oil and water off the skin, making it dry. Apart from the development of cracks, there is also the loss of skin cells. The indoor heating system compounds this problem.”

“If you have ever visited the warm tropical area, you would have known how smooth your skin feels. This is due to the humidity present in the air. It doesn’t allow the skin cells to lose its natural oil,” she elaborates further. Unfortunately, if you are already afflicted with skin problem, then it is bound to worsen during winter.

“The cold weather makes the already existing skin ailments like eczema, rosacea, psoriasis or dandruff more severe,” says Bruce Katz, MD, a private practice dermatologist and director of the JUVA Skin and Laser Center in New York City. Even if you are not suffering from any particular skin ailment, it is better to follow the tips for skin provided below.

Following are some of the tips for skin care regarding some particular skin ailments that aggravates during winter.

If you suffer from eczema, it is advisable to wear loose cotton clothes. Garments made up of wool or other synthetic materials should be avoided.
“Basically eczema is a condition when the skin becomes more sensitive that manifests in the form of rashes. When covered with synthetic materials, there would be friction which causes irritation and rashes,” says Katz.

Psoriasis is a condition when there is over-production of skin cells. Due to this, plaques or patches on the skin are formed. Thomas Russell, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin says, “The cold compounds the problems of psoriasis. Small cracks are developed on the skin due to less moisture in the air. So a moisturizer should be used.”

“People generally bathe in hot water during winter. The hot shower you take opens up the cracks. So, for elderly people taking bath once in a week is enough,” Russell says. “It is better to bath in warm water instead of hot water. Avoid using soap all over your body and do not rub your skin with a towel as it will abrade the skin,” Toobs aggress.

People usually suffer from strep during the winter months. Strep can accentuate the problem of psoriasis. So, people who have psoriasis should guard against contracting it.
“Strep compounds the effects of psoriasis. So, during the winter months, you should watch for any outbreak of strep in your locality and consult a dermatologist if you suspect that you might have contracted it,” says Russel.

Dandruff or seborrhea is another skin problem that gets aggravated during the cold weather. “You need to be careful while dealing dandruff during winter months. Instead of using shampoo it is better to go for medicinal treatment. Some of them are available in the form of shampoos,’ says Russel.

Tips for skin to prevent dryness

Keeping your skin moist is the best and only way to take care of your skin.
One of the tips for skin care is not rub the skin with a towel after taking your bath. Just pat your skin dry with a soft cloth and apply a good moisturizer afterwards. Moreover, she also advises to apply it on the nails as well since they tend to break up during winter.

Going on a vacation to places where the weather is warm and humid is by far, the best but costly option. But you must use a sunscreen lotion with at least a SPF of 15 to protect your skin from any damage to your skin. Everyone has different skin types and different skin problems, hopefully these tips for skin in winter will help some people during these cold days.

The number of fatalities due to fire-related accidents was more than deaths from other calamities in the year 2008 and it can be greatly reduced if people learn how to treat burn. Some simple precautionary measures are discussed in this article.

Most of the fire-related mishaps originate in the kitchen. To avoid fire-injuries in the kitchen, you can follow these simple tips:

• Make sure to be inside the kitchen during cooking.
• The handle of the pot should always be towards the center or back of the cooking stove. Thus, the children won’t be able to tip it over easily.
• Do not keep inflammable items like plastic bags or washing towels near the stove.
• Do not carry a child or pet during cooking.
• Do not allow small children or pets to be in front of the stove.

First Aid tips for fire injuries in the kitchen:
If you sustain burn injuries, the following things would help you heal it quicker:

• Keep the burnt part under the tap or wrap it with a towel soaked in cold water
• Wrap a sterile bandage or a clean cloth around the affected part
• Take care not to expose the affected part to any sort of pressure or friction
• Take pain-relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate the pain
• Avoid the use of household remedies like oil, ice, cotton bandages
• Consult the doctor immediately if you suspect the burn may lead to infection

How to avoid scalding burn
Burn developed due to the contact of scalding liquid is by far the most common burn that people sustain in their homes. This is more so in case of children. The skin of the children is thinner compared the adults. You should follow these simple precautions to prevent it from happening:

• Heat the water up to 120 degrees.
• Check the intensity of the heat by dipping your hand into the water before bathing the child.
• Do not leave the child alone in the bathtub.
• Do not use the microwave to heat your baby bottles as uneven heating may lead to burning of the baby’s mouth.
• Keep the cups and mugs covered with their lids.
• Do not place containers with the hot liquids like tea, coffee or soup in the edge of the tables.

How to treat burn in your home

The following first-aid tip would help you on how to treat burn at home:

• Take out the hot, wet clothing from the affected part.
• Allow it to cool in the flowing, tap water for half an hour.
• Avoid ice-pack as it would hinder the flow of blood.
• Do not use butter or salves to the affected skin.

Avoiding sun burn
Many people in the US are affected by skin cancer and sun burn accentuates its risk. You can avoid sun burn in the following ways –

• Sun screen – The sun screen should at least have SPF of 15 and should be effective for both UVA and UVB lights. Use it in every couple of hours when you are under the sun.
• Hat – The hat should preferably be of fabric; woven tightly with minimum gaps
• Clothing – Tight, dark clothing is most suitable for the prevention of skin cancer
• Sun glasses – Sun glasses designed for UVA and UVB protection should be wore. Its use also reduces the chances of development of cataract
• You should also take protection outdoors, even when you are under a shade

How to treat burn from the sun

Sun burn is also associated with severe pain. The following tips help to alleviate the pain.

• Use pain relievers like ibuprofen.
• Apply moisturizing or hydrocortisone cream to the affected parts thrice a day to reduce the pain, swelling and itching.
• When the blisters rupture, wipe it with a clean cloth. Cut off the dead skin with a scissor and apply antibiotic ointment to it. Do not try to prick or rupture the blister.
• Take bath in cold water. You can add two ounce of baking soda to a tub of bath-water. Apply cold, wet towels to the affected part of the skin several times in a day.
• Never apply butter, oil or vaseline to the sun burn.

Dealing with house-fire
The fire-related deaths per capita are reportedly highest in the United States amongst the industrialized countries. The following are some of the ways to deal with this dangerous situation.

• It is imperative that you install a fire-alarm in your home. Its warning gives you the time and opportunity to escape. As per estimates, almost 40% of fire deaths occur in homes where the fire-alarms are not installed. They are available in $6 to $ 20. Even the fire departments supply them free of cost or at a subsidized price.
• Always take care to make the smoke alarms functional. So, check it at least couple of times in a year.
• Keep fire extinguishers near the exit of your house, away from the reach of the children. They are exceptionally handy for extinguishing small fire. But if the fire is too large and is spreading to all parts of the house fast, then it is better to leave the premises immediately. The fire extinguisher should also have the label “ABC’, which attests its usefulness for all types of fire.
• Be ready with an escape plan – It does not take much time for the fire to spread. In fact, it can spread to double its size within half a minute, often not allowing time to plan an escape. So, make an escape plan beforehand. It should contain the following details –
• Chart an escape route after thoroughly studying the floor plan of the home with other members of your home. There should be couple of ways to escape from the rooms.
• Arrange mock fire drills in your home. This would make the members of the house prepared as and when the exigency arises. Everybody in the home should practice crawling as this saves you from the smoke and toxic gases during fire.
• Teach everyone the basic of first aid and how to treat burn with available resources.

So with proper planning and knowing how to treat burn, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from fire-accidents.

They should also adopt a sensible regimen to take care of their sensitive skin.  But first of all, you have to be aware of some of the symptoms of a sensitive skin.

Symptoms of a sensitive skin

The sensitive skin that shows an abnormal reaction to outside influences like dust, heat, cold or any pollutants, even though it is free of any skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis and etc. The reaction or symptoms could be as follows:

• Discoloration of the skin like red or pink blotches without any feeling of discomfiture.
• Irritation and itching with no discoloration.
• Discoloration accompanied by a feeling of discomfort.

Taking care of a sensitive skin

1. While going on a journey to another place, take note of the climatic condition of that place and be prepared accordingly beforehand. Similarly, during change of the seasons, take extra-care of your skin. In winter season, the skin becomes dry and rough. So, use moisturizing oil to keep it healthy.
2. Dietary adjustments – Some foods are known to create allergic reaction on the skin. Certain sea-foods and mushrooms fall in this category. You should also avoid spicy and oily foods, as they can also cause pimples and rashes on the skin. Many skin experts advise to avoid alcohol and caffeine. But you should drink lot of water since it has a cleansing effect on the body.
3. You should avoid all forms of exposure to chemicals. Use gloves when you are washing the cloths or cleaning the dinner table or utensils. Use only a mild soap, devoid of any strong chemical for your bath. It is also better to use a liquid soap.
4. Do not expose your sensitive skin to too hot or cold water. You should be particularly careful while taking your bath.
5. Be careful if you go for exfoliation of your sensitive skin. At times, the exfoliated skin may show irritation.
6. While facial cleanser is a good way to clean your face, it can create itching and abrasion on sensitive skin. Cleansers with sulphate and carboxylate group of compounds are known to create bad effect on the sensitive skin. So, use only a mild form of cleanser or preferably an herbal one with natural ingredients.
7. If you use perfume, avoid dabbing it on the sensitive skin. It is better to spray it on your cloth.
8. You should also avoid too much of sun-exposure. Use a sun-screen lotion on your sensitive skin and take an umbrella when you go out in a sunny day.

As long as people with sensitive skin follow a regimen of proper skin care and avoid putting harsh chemical on their skin, they shouldn’t have too much problem with their sensitive skin type.

These top skin care myths are so widely circulated that people often take them as they are. It’s not easy to unlearn old habits, so it’s better to separate the fact from the myths early on before it becomes a routine.

Top skin care myth #1: Facial exercise tones up the facial muscle making it look younger.

Contrary to popular belief, facial exercises can actually lead to more wrinkle lines on the face. Although, you may not be aware of it, but the muscle and the skin on the face attach directly to each other, sans any tissues or ligament in between. Hence, the constant smiles would lead the development of laugh lines. Similarly, other daily facial exercise can develop furrows and lines along with sagging.

Top skin care myth #2: Having a tan can alleviate the acne problems.

Although UV light is believed to kill skin bacteria but getting it straight from the sun light may not be a safe option. While your tanned skin would hide the acne, you would expose yourself to the risks of skin cancer. So, discuss it with your dermatologist for better ways to deal with your acne problem. Doing it through sun exposure is fraught with serious danger and hence is not advisable.

Top skin care myth #3: Washing the face with soap and water would make it acne-free.

Cleaning the face with soap and water regularly is desirable. But while it is okay to clean the dirt and make-up off your face, scrubbing it vigorously is not good. Massaging it gently with a cleanser with tiny exfoliating beads or soft tissues is the ideal way to do it. Using alpha-hydroxyl acid lotion to clean up the old cells and generate new ones is also advisable. To remove mascara, use something that is specifically meant for it.

Top skin care myth #4: Wrinkles can be erased with wrinkle creams.

Notwithstanding all the tall claims made by the ads, the fact of making the wrinkle lines less visible temporarily is achieved through the humectants and moisturizers that hydrate the skin. In order to have a marked improvement in the texture of the skin and erase wrinkle lines significantly, you need to go for surgical or laser treatment. Although wrinkle lines can be filled in through Restylane, the process need to done repeatedly (more than twice in a year). Similar is the case with Botox. Now researches are being conducted to assimilate active ingredients like hylaronic acid into nano particles so that they reach deep into the skin. Use of Vitamin A creams is presently the best way to deal with the problem, as it helps the collagen formation and accentuates regeneration of cells.

Top skin care myth #5: Squeezing out the pus helps the pimple to heal it soon.

The practice of squeezing out the pus from the pimple is a smart thing to do. By squeezing out the pus, you may actually force the pus and its debris deep into the skin, thereby making it prone to inflammation and scars later. Using a comedone extractor to press and roll it over the pimple to extract the pus is a better way to do it.

Top skin care myth #6: Shaving the legs accentuates the growth of the hair.

Researches have confirmed this age-old belief to be wrong. Hair growth is dependent upon the environment, hormone and age-related genetic factors. So, go for waxing, shaving or use of depilatory creams without any apprehension of any change in the texture of hair and pace of hair growth. In case of excessive hair growth, opt for laser hair removal.

Top skin care myth #7: Healing of the wounds and prevention of scars through vitamin E ointment.

As an anti-oxidant, vitamin E promotes the utilization of oxygen by the body and hence may protect the skin from damage. But it is not known to prevent scarring. On the other hand, its prolonged use may lead to the development of allergy on the skin. Massaging the new scar gently to facilitate circulation and taking vitamin E rich foods like green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals may help it heal faster. Applying silicone elastometer gel to newly healed skin is a new way of preventing scarring.

Top skin care myth #8: Eating junk foods may lead to the development of acne.

While taking high amount of junk food is undoubtedly unhealthy, it is yet to be firmly established as a contributory factor for acne. Anxiety, use of anabolic steroid, increased levels of testosterone, use of facial creams to clog the pores and genetic history are the factors that are responsible for the development of the acne.

Top skin care myth #9: Vitamin D is necessary. So, we should tan our skin more.

Doctors always recommend of having more vitamin D. Although it is important to have enough vitamin D, but having it through excessive exposure to sun is not the proper way to do it. Getting it through adequate doses of vitamin supplements is ideal. You would find many such vitamin D and calcium supplements in the market.

Top skin care myth #10: Some skin care products are effective for the elimination of cellulite.

It is a fact that cellulite can occur both in case of thin and obese women and it is very stubborn despite massaging and moisturizing the area. Even wearing support hose, mechanical manipulation and suctioning also do not help, apart from the lessening the appearance of cellulite in women. The dimpling is due to the fibrous bands occurring between the fat cells. Anti-oxidants like acai and active ingredients like caffeine are being used of late, but without much success. The cellulite can be camouflaged to certain extent through the use of self-tanners.

How many of these top skin care myths have you heard of? Do share with us if you know of other myths.

Dry skin, also known as xerosis, has often been an irritating, nuisance for many. At times, the skin may not only look dull, it may also feel rough and itching, which would make you self-conscious and miserable. Some people also find it difficult to sleep during night due to the constant itchiness.

Barney Kenet, MD, who works as a dermatologist at the New York Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center says that dry skin is a common problem – the vast number of around100 million of people suffering from it would testify to it.

But dry skin can also lead to more serious problems. In fact, as the skin forms the uppermost layer of our body, it is the first defense against any infection.  Claude Burton MD, professor of dermatology at Duke University School of Medicine reveals that the cracks formed on the dry skin can form the avenues for the harmful bacteria.

The dry skin condition has a direct bearing on our physical as well mental disposition. Hence, you should take good care of your skin to safeguard your appearance, mental state and overall health.

Dry skin can be due to various reasons like harsh soap, unsuitable clothing and moisturizer, bathing in hot and cold water and some medications. Other pathological reasons include diabetes, malnutrition, hypothyroidism, psoriasis. Let’s discuss them in details.

Knowing your skin

Knowing your skin is the first step to alleviate the dry skin problem. The skin has a coating of natural lipids or fat that keeps the skin soft by providing moisture. At times, both due to inherent health and external condition, the skin becomes bereft of it – thus exposing it to bacterial attacks.

Although the problem of dry skin may crop on any part of the body, generally the hands, abdomen and legs are most susceptible to such attacks. Although this can’t be observed by other people, it can also have a disconcerting effect on the looks of some people. Vesna Petronic-Rosic, MD, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at the University of Chicago Medical School says that the African-American people, particularly suffer due this problem, as their skin looks flaky with shades of gray or even ‘ashy’. Such noticeable manifestations are really embarrassing for the people.

Left untreated, the dry skin can result in dermatitis, a condition, where there is inflammation, swelling and infection in the skin. But fortunately, the dry skin can be effectively treated with proper skin care and external treatment. Let’s find out the ways and means to avert the dry skin problems arising due to the following reasons:

Moisturizer

Use of moisturizer for dry skin is common practice. That is the first thing anybody, who suffers from dry skin does. Some people also try many different moisturizers, in order to get rid of the condition.

But, although moisturizer forms one of the important ways to combat dry skin problem, people often are not aware of the proper way to use it. Using the moisturizer, when the skin is already dry doesn’t help. Kenet, who has written an enlightening book ‘How to Wash Your Face’ says that the moisturizer should be used when the skin is still little bit damp. You don’t have to apply it, when you are still dripping with water. Just rub a towel lightly over your body and apply the moisturizer. This would allow the skin to retain the moisture.

Choosing the right moisture is also important. For people who have a dry skin, mild moisturizer, sans any perfume are the best. It should also be thick and oily to protect the skin. According to Kenet, the cheap moisturizers that one finds in the drugstores may even be better than the costly ones.

Petronic-Rosic recommends an elementary test in this regard. Just pour little bit of it on the palm and turn your hand down and see if it drips down. If it does, then it is not thick enough and hence is not suitable.

Dry Air

Exposure to dry air forms the most common reasons of a dry skin, as it saps up the moisture from your skin directly. This condition even gets accentuated during winter as the cold air dries up the skin. But due to the heat out of the furnace during winter or the effect of air-conditioner during summer, your skin dries up. In order to alleviate this problem, you may use moisturizer and cover all your body parts with scarves, gloves and hats and even knee-length socks as cold set underneath your pant legs. You may also keep down the level of your thermostat or may use a humidifier in the room.

The long hot showers you have

Spending a long time under the shower or indulging in heavy baths, washes away the oil from your skin. A feeling of tightness in the skin is the manifestation of such conditions. This is more so in case of exposure to hot water.

How can you prevent it? The dermatologists advise that it is better have showers in stead of baths – and that too, for few minutes.

Keneth recommends that tepid water should be used in stead of hot water to shower. It is also better not expose your body and skin directly to the shower, while shaving or soaping, as this would minimize your exposure to the water. Application of moisturizer should be done immediately after the shower.

The soaps you use

Soap is regarded the main culprit by many experts, as far as the problem of dry skin is concerned. It saps off the natural oil protecting the skin. Petronic-Rosic says in this regard, “People have this urge to scrub all over their body with soap and water even if they are not dirty.”

It has been the age-old advice of our mothers and doctors to wash the hands always to keep them free from germs. But too much washing may, in fact, result in infection as the skin gets chapped. Hence, washing the face, hands, feet, groin and underarms are the only area of the child that necessitates washing with soap and water.

Choosing the right kind of soap is also of paramount importance. “Often, people choose a harsh soap for the sake of leather and supposedly a pristine clean skin. But they ultimately end up with a dry skin, as the leather washes away all the oil from the skin,” opines Petronic-Rosic.

Experts recommend a mild, fragrance-free soap for the dry skin problem. A non-soap skin cleanser may even be a better idea.

Even the use of harsh implements like sponges or brushes to rub your skin may damage and dry up your skin. It is also better to avoid sanding the skin.

The clothes you wear

Uncomfortable clothing can also result in itching and a dry skin. About this, Keneth says, “If the cloth you wear feels itchy, it is better to discard it since it would get itchier, as you continue wearing it.”

Petronic-Rosic advises that one should go with clothes that feel comfortable, when you wear it for the first time. And it is better to switch over to some other fabric, if does not feel comfortable. Cotton is generally regarded as the most suitable fabric.

Medicines and Drugs

Dry skin condition may be an offshoot of the reaction of some medicines and drugs, which include:

• Drugs for hypertension like diuretics
• Antihistamines
• Renitoids used for acne and pimples

In case of any side effects, the doctor should be immediately consulted, who would change the dose or prescribe other medicines.

Pathological Conditions

Although external conditions are usually responsible for the dry skin conditions, sometimes, it can also be due to certain illness. Physiological changes also leads to dry skin. People, especially women, develop dry skin as they get older.

“More than three-fourth of people over the age of 64, develop dry skin, which is due to the changes in the hormonal level. It can also be genetically related,” says Petronic-Rosic.

Generally, dry skin may result due to the following medical reasons:

• Skin ailments like eczema and psoriasis. It usually needs a direct application of medicine but use of moisturizer also heals it.
• Diabetes – People having diabetes often develop dry skin as they get dehydrated due to the fluctuation of the glucose level in their body. Diabetes also increases the chances of infection, while slowing down the process of healing. So, it is imperative that people with diabetes, should keep their skin healthy.
• Hypothyroidism – The production of oil by the skin wanes with the lowering of the level of thyroid hormone in the body. Hence, under such condition, the skin dries out and application of moisturizer doesn’t help.
• Malnutrition – A healthy skin needs many important nutrients. So, an imbalanced diet may also lead to a dry skin.

How to alleviate the problems of dry skin

Frankly speaking, the problem of dry skin condition, however, irritating it might be, is actually a minor one. So, do not get into the notion that something is seriously wrong in your skin or body. Your doctor should be able to ascertain the reasons and would prescribe the necessary treatment, which might include some antihistamine and steroid creams or lotions. So, seek the help of your doctor immediately.

This original article is presented to you by MyHealthToday.com © 2009