Winter Rash

The effects of cold weather on your body might be significant. The moisture content of your skin decreases as the temperature drops. This can cause a rash in the winter. A winter rash is an inflamed region of the skin. Dry skin is the most common cause.

Even though your skin is normally healthy throughout the year, you may acquire a winter rash during the colder months. The problem is prevalent, and it frequently recurs year after year. Most people who live in frigid climates have had at least one experience with it.

Symptoms of Winter Rash

A winter rash includes the following symptoms:

Redness
Swelling
Itching
Flaking
Sensitivity
Bumps
Blisters

The rash may just affect one part of your body, most commonly your legs, arms, or hands. In some circumstances, it may be all over your body.

Risk factors:

A winter rash can affect everyone, but some people are more susceptible than others. If you've had any of the following, you're more likely to get a winter rash:

Eczema
Rosacea
Dermatitis
Allergies
Asthma
Sensitive skin

However, spending prolonged periods of time outdoors could also result in winter rash.

Causes of Winter Rash

Natural oils and dead skin cells in your skin's outer layer help to keep water inside your skin. This keeps your skin supple, hydrated, and smooth. The condition of your skin can be affected by bitter cold temperatures.

Outdoors, the cold air, low humidity, and strong winds dehydrate your skin. Indoors, turning up the heat and taking hot showers has a similar effect. Your skin loses its natural oils as a result of these harsh conditions. Moisture is able to escape, resulting in dry skin and the possibility of a winter rash.

Other factors that could induce a winter rash include:

Sensitivity to certain antibacterial soaps, detergents or other chemicals
Skin conditions such as psoriasis
Bacterial infection
Viral infection
Latex allergy
Stress
Fatigue

A winter rash can also be caused by sunburns. Even in the winter, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can be damaging. Snow, in fact, reflects up to 80% of UV light, which means it can be hit by the same rays twice, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. At higher elevations, UV rays are also more strong. If you enjoy snowboarding, skiing, or other alpine sports, keep this in mind.

How to Treat Winter Rash?

Your rash could linger all winter if you don't get treatment and make lifestyle adjustments. There are, fortunately, techniques to maintain your skin healthy and hydrated all year.

Here are few ways to treat winter rash at home:

Moisturiser

Because moisturisers help trap moisture into your skin, they are frequently the first line of protection against a winter rash. Moisturize frequently throughout the day, especially after bathing and hand washing.

Petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly also works as a barrier, preventing moisture from escaping your skin. If you don't want to use petroleum goods, there are petroleum replacements available, such as Waxelene or Un-Petroleum are two examples of materials that inhibit moisture loss.

Natural oils

Olive oil and coconut oil, for example, can help soothe sensitive skin and replace moisture. As needed, apply to your skin.

Vegetable shortening

Another popular folk cure for dry skin is vegetable shortening, which helps restore moisture due to its solid oil content. Apply it after you've bathed or before you go to bed.

Bathing with milk

Bathing in milk may help to relieve itchiness. Dip a clean washcloth in whole milk and dab it on the affected region, or soak in a warm bath with milk added for relief. This should be done for approximately ten minutes

Oatmeal products or baths

Soaps and baths made with oatmeal may also help to calm your skin. Buy oatmeal soap or soak for 10 minutes in a warm bath with finely powdered oats.

Topical cortisone cream

Topical cortisone creams, available with or without a prescription, can help relieve redness, irritation, and inflammation in your skin. Observe the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, follow your doctor's instructions.

Most winter rashes clear up with a combination of lifestyle adjustments, home remedies, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Others may continue or deteriorate. Scratching your skin can cause it to split and bleed. This provides the ideal entryway for bacteria, putting you at risk of infection.

Prevention of Winter Rash

The best strategy to avoid winter rash is to stay away from cold places and dry air. If you don't spend your winter in a warm region, try these preventative tips:

Use a humidifier
Bathe less often
Use natural and fragrance-free soaps
Wear warm clothes
Use protective clothing
Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen

Take Away

Preventative measures, such as applying moisturiser at the first indication of dry skin, can help you avoid a winter rash. Some skin rashes are simply inconvenient. Other rashes are more severe and necessitate medical attention. If your rash does not improve despite home therapy or if you have additional concerns about your rash, see your doctor.