How to take care of skin in winter in oman
Most of dry skin disorders like Atopic eczema and psoriasis can be aggravated in winter. How can one prevent this? Read on:
What is Atopic eczema?
Atopic eczema is a chronic long lasting disease that usually appears in infancy and childhood, and may stay in one's teens and adulthood. It causes extreme skin dryness, redness, itching, oozing, crusting, and secondary bacterial infection.
A genetic predisposition plays a major role in this disease.
Atopic dermatitis patients can also associate with thyroid and allergic asthma or allergic rhinitis. The disease can get aggravated by extreme winter climate, dust, pollen, rough wool fabric, sunlight, pet dander and sweating. In some patients, some types of food can aggravate eczema. Physiological stress is also a causatory factor.
How can one prevent it?
Use moisturiser often - every 3 to 4 hours or whenever the skin becomes dry. You can use a moisturiser for hands and feet, or a soothening skin balm like glycerine. If the lesions do not respond to moisturiser, consult a dermatologist for further treatment.
The first line of treatment is with local application of steroids. Dermatologists advise to use steroids along with moisturiser regularly for few days and slowly reduce the application frequency, day by day. Most of patients tend to apply steroids regularly for a longer time, which is harmful. Also, some apply steroids on and off, which is also very bad for the skin.
The next line of treatment involves topical calcineuron inhibitors which are an alternative for steroids. These weaken the immune system's concentration on atopic eczema so that it recedes. This can be used for 8 weeks.
The new molecule crisaborol - recently made available in Oman – is an excellent molecule for atopic eczema. It can be used from infants from 3 months, with no side effects.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an auto immune disorder wherein genetics plays a major role.
In this condition, the body's immune system gets confused and attacks itself, making new skin cells to grow. Skin cells gets replaced every 4 to 7 days, instead of the usual 21 to 28 days. This creates thick, red, swollen patches of skin covered with silvery scales called plaques. These patches become inflamed, itchy and bleed. Psoriasis can involve skin, scalp, nails, and joints - causing psoriatic arthritis.
Aggravating factors
l Always prevent dryness with
moisturisers l Avoid excess exposure to sunlight l Avoid smoking l Avoid medicine aggravating
lesions l Avoid foods that aggravate le
sions l Stress also can aggravate
Treatment
l Use moisturisers at all times l Use steroid-based creams
and ointments. l Other therapies, like phototherapy, systemic therapy are also available.
Both eczema and psoriasis are not communicable disease. Touching them or close contact with patients will not spread the disease.