Kathmandu

Cold is retreating as the temperature is rising steadily across the nation. Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief. But not so fast! The weather now is windy and it is not good for your skin. Adding to your woe is increasing exposure to sunlight as summer makes it way, along with dust and pollen.

Wind problem

Starting from February, till April, you will have to protect your skin from the wind as the wind is quite strong during this time. “The skin is already dry due to winter. The wind aggravates it more making it drier and sensitive by stripping moisture from the skin,” informs Dr Eliz Aryal Rajouria, Consultant Dermatologist at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Sinamangal, emphasising, “This is why people must be conscious about taking care of their skin during three months — February, March and April.”

Pointing out the consequences of dry skin, Dr Aryal Rajouria adds, “Due to dryness, the skin becomes sensitive. So, one will experience irritation, burning and discomfort on skin. You will feel itchiness all over your body.”

Wind might also be responsible for your chapped lips during this time. So, you need to take extra care of your lips. “Don’t pull and bite away at the flaky skin. Rather, apply moisturising petroleum jelly at least three to four times a day to get rid of chapped lips,” she suggests.

Sun exposure

People have started to experience warm and sunny days with the retreating winter. With this our body’s exposure to the sun has also increased. But the sun-exposed skin gradually loses moisture and essential oils making the skin dry. Sun allergy, sun burn, scaly skin are some other impacts.

“Sun-exposed skin itches a lot. There is discomfort and unpleasant feeling in skin,” shares the doctor. If people do not use sunscreen, the skin gets damaged because of the ultraviolet rays. Skin darkening and dryness are the

damages made in skin by the sun rays.

It can occur to people of any age. “But the skin of children and elderly gets easily damaged as children’s skin if soft and the skin of elderly people is already dry in nature. Besides that anyone working outdoors in windy and sunny weather are prone to skin dryness,” elaborates the doctor.

Dust effect

Wherever one goes, there is dust everywhere these days — it consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as vehicular emission, cement, animal dung, dry flowers and leaves, textiles, et cetera.

Poultry farms along with hair of dog and cat are other sources of dust as per Dr Aryal Rajouria.

“Anyone living within two to three kilometres of these sources are more affected by dust,” she states further explaining, “These dust particles can have an allergic reaction on skin — like irritation, burning sensation, and mild to severe form of discomfort.”

Skin irritation often makes you want to scratch your skin. “But while scratching, our nails sometimes peel off the skin, causing secondary bacterial infection. This leads to redness of skin, wound with pus, and painful blister like lesion,” Dr Aryal Rajouria reveals.

Pollen allergy

It is the time of blooming trees and flower buds, and they add beauty to your surrounding. But they also release pollen — which can cause allergies to many people. Those who are prone to any kind of allergy get skin allergies from pollen much easily as per Dr Aryal Rajouria. Even those who aren’t allergic have chances of getting skin allergy from pollen, she adds.

“It is also the season of caterpillars — they hatch from eggs during this time. And the fine hairs of caterpillars when get in contact with skin can cause severe allergic reactions like red bumps and respiratory problems,” informs

the doctor.

If someone has difficulty in breathing then it is advised to visit the doctor immediately.