Dry skin is a major problem during winter. And those who are on life-long medications due to thyroid, diabetes, hypertension and transplants, have to take extra care in winter as their skin dries up not only due to the weather but also because of their medicines.
Not all medicines may have side-effects but there are times when some result in itching and also burning sensation during this season. Most patients do not realise that their skin is drying a bit more than required and hence they have to drink enough water or eat proper fruits so that the skin remains hydrated.
At the same time, they must not take itchy skin for granted this season as they might require medication to ensure that their skin is sufficiently hydrated.
‘Eat fruits, vegetables and drink plenty of water’ - Dr Lakshmi Sharada, Care Hospitals
The best way to keep your skin healthy in winter is to ensure that you have lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with sufficient intake of water. Foods containing beta carotene (yellow and orange in colour) like papaya, orange, carrot, yellow and red capsicum, peach, pineapple, sweet potato, radish, spinach, lettuce (purple), pumpkin etc. are good to keep the skin barrier intact and also to prevent dryness.
Dr Lakshmi Sharada, consultant dermatologist, Care Hospitals, said, “We have often found that women who have hypothyroidism have very dry skin. In winter, due to prolonged use of the drug there have been cases where women find that their skin is drying excessively and sometimes leading to itching and rashes. They must not rub their skin hard or use harsh soaps, detergents, strong antiseptics as they cause allergic reactions.” These patients are advised to use gentle cleansing soaps to prevent further dryness of the skin.
‘Multiple drugs can dry up your skin’ - Dr Man Mohan, Apollo Hospitals
Patients who are on multiple drugs are more prone to different types of reactions. Patients of diabetes, transplants, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases are on multiple drugs over a long period of time. Anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-thyroid, and anti-cholesterol drugs and blood thinners, when taken over a long period, are found to make the skin drier. In any other weather, the skin is able to cope but during the winter season, there is a flare up, hence extra attention needs to be taken. Dr Man Mohan, consultant dermatologist, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Immunosuppressive therapy like steroids and other agents are prone for opportunistic infections like tuberculosis and candidiasis which are likely to flare up. So, when a patient is on long-term immunosuppressive agents, these infections should be looked into.”
Patients, when they find that the skin is getting too itchy and there is a sudden flare up, must not opt for alternative medicines along with prescribed medicines. Dr Mohan added, “Often people use mud packs or even lotions which has helped cure them earlier. But now with prescribed medicines there are chances of reactions and it is important to consult a physician before opting for these methods.”
This becomes important because in winter the weather and the medication can be a bad combination for the skin if simple care is not taken.
Keep your skin barrier intact
- Apply oils and moisturisers on wet skin and pat dry, never massage on the skin.
- Do not expose yourself to excess sunlight as it breaks the skin barrier.
- Use natural substances like coconut oil, almond oil and butter to hydrate the skin. But after using them, do not expose yourself to the sun as it darkens the skin.
Dos and don’ts
- If the skin is too dry, apply moisturisers like liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin and glycerine, which will keep it soft and moist.
- Drink sufficient water.
- If on medication, consult your physician before taking any other drug or alternative medicine for the skin.
- Foods like grape, cabbage, cauliflower and milk interact with the drugs and either increase or decrease their efficacy, so seek advice before opting for these fruits.
- Do not overuse your medicines.
