Winter Skin Care in Jaipur: Dealing With Dry Skin, Itching and Dandruff

Jaipur's winters are short but sharp: chilly mornings, cold nights and very dry air. From November to February, the clinic sees a steady rise in patients with itchy dry skin, cracked heels, flaky scalps and eczema flares. Most of it can be prevented with a few simple changes to your daily routine.

Why winter is hard on your skin

The outer layer of your skin holds moisture in with a natural barrier of oils and fats. In winter, low humidity pulls water out of the skin, and long hot baths, strong soaps and room heaters strip that protective layer further. The result is rough, tight, itchy skin, sometimes with fine cracks, especially on the shins, hands, lips and heels.

A simple winter routine

• Keep baths short and lukewarm. A very hot bath feels good in a Jaipur winter, but it is one of the biggest causes of dry, itchy skin.
• Use a mild, soap-free cleanser instead of harsh bathing soaps, and only where needed.
• Moisturise within a few minutes of bathing, while the skin is still slightly damp. Thicker creams or ointments work better than light lotions in winter.
• Reapply moisturiser on hands after washing them, and use a lip balm through the day.
• For cracked heels, apply a thick foot cream at night and wear cotton socks.
• Wear cotton next to your skin; wool directly on the skin can make itching worse.
• Don't skip sunscreen. Winter sun in Rajasthan is still strong, and pigmentation doesn't take a winter break.
• Drink enough water, even though you feel less thirsty in the cold.

Eczema, psoriasis and winter flares

People with atopic eczema or psoriasis often notice their skin gets worse in winter. Dry, itchy patches that crack, ooze or keep you awake at night need more than a moisturiser. A dermatologist can prescribe the right treatment for the flare and a maintenance plan to prevent the next one. Avoid using steroid creams from the chemist without advice, because the wrong strength on the wrong area can cause thinning of the skin and other side effects.

Dandruff and an itchy scalp

Dandruff often gets worse in winter. Infrequent hair washing in the cold, heavy oiling, and wearing caps for long hours can all contribute. An anti-dandruff shampoo used two to three times a week, left on the scalp for a few minutes before rinsing, helps most people. If flaking is thick, red, spreads to the forehead or behind the ears, or comes with hair fall, it is worth getting the scalp checked, because conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis and fungal infection can look similar.

When to see a dermatologist

• Itching that disturbs your sleep or doesn't improve with moisturiser
• Red, cracked, oozing or bleeding patches
• Ring-shaped itchy patches, which may be a fungal infection rather than dry skin
• Severe dandruff or dandruff with noticeable hair fall
• A child with dry, itchy patches that keep coming back

Looking for treatment? See Hair Fall & Dandruff Treatment in Jaipur at Truederm, C-Scheme, or explore all skin conditions we treat.

This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for a one-on-one medical consultation. Please don't start or stop any medicine without a doctor's advice.