HEALTH HAZARDS IN WINTER SEASON
We look forward to winter for its cool weather and the
festivities it brings. But it also brings with it various
different types of Health Problems. Though the temperature
in this city does not drop drastically as compared to
the Northern cities yet we face winter problems. In this
article I have listed the most common ailments and simple
ways in which you can tackle them.
1. DRYNESS
In winter the humidity in the air decreases
and this causes a lot of dryness. Dryness of the skin,
eyes, chapped lips, cuts on the feet and palms etc…
occur during the winter months. If you are already suffering
from dry skin disorders then this season is worse for
you. Dry skin feels itchy and the person has an unbearable
desire to scratch. But repeated rubbing and scratching
the dry skin makes the area inflamed, rough and thick.
Cracks in the skin make the individual more susceptible
to infections especially if they are on the soles of the
feet and you have a habit of walking bare foot. Some people
present with redness of the skin with eruptions.
WHY DOES THE SKIN BECOME DRY DURING WINTER?
Our skin has many layers and the last layer,
which we see on the surface, is called the Stratum Corneum.
This layer contains dead cells along with the natural
oil produced by the living cells of the layer beneath.
This layer holds the moisture in the skin. When the natural
oil in this layer is lost the water holding capacity is
also lost and the skin becomes dry and loses its lustre.
This can happen in dry weather where there is very little
humidity in the atmosphere. This also occurs in people
who have certain skin disorders regardless of the weather
and occurs naturally in old age.
HOW TO TACKLE DRY SKIN
There are many ways by which you can prevent
your skin from drying up. Simple changes in your lifestyle
and diet can make a big difference. Here are a few tips:-
1. Avoid harsh medicated soaps and those which are highly
perfumed. These contain a lot of chemicals which dry the
skin up. Use a soap which is glycerine based and mild
on the skin. Use minimum soap on the face.
2. Detergents are also very harsh for the skin so avoid
putting your hands in soapy water. A good way to prevent
this is by wearing gloves if you have to wash the dishes.
Again try and use the mildest detergent available.
3. After a bath do not dry your body completely, just
lightly pat yourself partially dry. When the body is still
moist use non perfumed petroleum jelly. Apply it with
little water all over so that the water gets trapped on
the skin and prevents dryness.
4. Use an effective moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day if
necessary.
5. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid soft
drinks and caffeinated beverages. Just have plain simple
water as it is the best thing for the skin.
6. Avoid alcohol and smoking as they both tend to cause
dryness of the skin.
After taking all these precautions your skin is still
dry and causing problems go and see a Homoeopath. There
are wonderful remedies for these kind of skin conditions
in this system of medicine. Though remedies are given
solely on the individuals symptoms, here are a few effective
ones for dryness of the skin during winter.
PETROLEUM
Dry, sensitive, rough and cracked skin during the winter
months calls for this remedy. Here there are cracks on
the skin which bleed easily. The person has an unbearable
desire to itch the skin till it bleeds.
Cracks on the tips of the finger, nipples, calls for this
remedy. The person does not feel like wearing anything
as the skin has become extremely sensitive. All these
symptoms are worse in WINTER and are greatly relieved
in summer.
5 pills of Petroleum 200, 4 times a day will help in healing
the skin.
PSORINUM
This drug is excellent for patients who suffer from skin
problems in winter. Here the skin looks very dirty, rough
and dry. Itching is intolerable and the person scratches
till the part bleeds especially in bed at night. They
can't bear the warmth of the bed. All these skin problems
seem to disappear in summer and re-occur every winter.
Psorinum 200, 5 pills 4 times a day will give great relief.
Like this there are numerous other drugs
good for dry winter skin in Homoeopathy, which are prescribed
on the patients symptoms.
2. COLDS
There are a large number of viruses that cause colds and
cough in the winter months. There are also other factors
like the pollution which tends to settle like a haze in
these months which can lead to colds and cough. During
Diwali several crackers are burst which again acts on
the susceptible individuals respiratory system causing
problems. In places where it is very cold like the North,
people tend to stay more indoors. Therefore if one person
has a cold, it tends to spread rapidly due to constant
contact with the contaminated person. Hence Viruses can
be transmitted from person to person very easily. Also
because of the lack of humidity in the air the nasal passages
dry up and cracks occur in the skin. This makes it easy
for the cold virus to enter the body and multiply.
HOW TO TACKLE AND PREVENT COLDS?
There are no vaccines yet which help to
prevent catching a common cold but there are ways in which
we can try to avoid getting one. If your immunity is good
and healthy then your chances of coming down with a cold
are less and even if you do get one the attack will be
mild and no treatment is really required. But if you are
susceptible then you need to take Homoeopathy medicines
along with other care. Here are a few tips to avoid catching
cold:-
1. Keep your immunity in good condition by eating nutritious
food, getting your daily dose of exercise and sleeping
well.
2. Stay away from people who have a cold. If you are in
contact them make sure you wash your hands before eating
and keep the plates and glasses separate.
3. If you are also coming down with a cold then drink
plenty of fluids and water.
4. Take plenty of rest if you are suffering from a cold.
5. Keep your body well covered and protected from the
cold all the time. Exposure to cold can also cause colds.
There is no need for antibiotics for a common
cold. But Homoeopathic medicines help to boost your body's
immunity to fight against the infection and recovery takes
place faster.
The constitutional remedy of the individual should always
be given. Here are few effective cold remedies.
SABADILLA
If you are suffering from repeated violent sneezing, running
nose, irritation within the nose, itchy feeling, over-sensitiveness
to smells then Sabadilla is your remedy. Here the patient
suffers from constant sneezing and watering of the eyes.
The nose feels dry from within. Sabadilla patients are
affected by the cold weather and air. They also cannot
tolerate the odour of flowers. This triggers the sneezing
and running of the nose.
They feel better by inhaling warm air and wrapping themselves
up. Also feel better by drinking warm things.
Sabadilla 200, 5 pills 4 times a day will bring on quick
relief.
ACONITE
This remedy is excellent for winter colds where the air
is dry and cold. Especially effective when at a high altitude
the inner lining of your nose dries up and the nose feels
blocked. Sometimes there may also be bleeding from the,
nose which is bright red in colour. Here the discharge
is very scanty and water like. With this cold the person
gets fear and anxiety and is extremely worried about his
illness. Aconite personalities are highly anxious and
restless people.
5 pills of Aconite 1M, 4 times a day will help cure the
patient.
3. FOOD POISONING
Winter months are normally the time for
festivities and marriages. Therefore it is also the time
of year when people eat out more often and are likely
to get food poisoning. Eating at weddings where food is
prepared for the masses is dangerous and likely to be
contaminated. So how do we take care to avoid getting
food poisoning? Firstly try and eat things that are well
cooked like rice, dal, cooked vegetables etc…avoid
eating raw salads, cold food, cold cuts, meat etc….
Do not drink the water or juices made with water outside.
Instead a plain soda is better or mineral water. In deserts
avoid cold ones like ice-cream, kulfi, milk based ones
as they are more likely to give you a stomach infection.
Stick to hot deserts which have been cooked and heated.
If you do get food poisoning do not stop the vomiting
or loose motions suddenly, this a way in which your body
is trying to throw out the harmful substances. Just make
sure you are well hydrated by taking small sips of water
with a little salt and sugar every few minutes. Stay on
a clear liquid diet till your digestive system is okay.
We have wonderful remedies for food poisoning which are
given depending on the patients symptoms.
ARSENIC ALB
When there is great nausea and the person cannot tolerate
the sight, smell or even the thought of food then this
remedy should be thought of. There is constant nausea
and loss of appetite. The patient vomits after eating
or drinking anything. Diarrhoea may also be present along
with vomiting.
The patient feels like taking small sips of water often.
There is burning pain in the stomach and a feeling of
anxiety. The arsenic alb patient is highly restless even
though physically weak. Feels like he is going to die
because of this illness. They have great anxiety about
their health.
5 pills or Arsenic Alb 200, in repeated doses will remove
all the harmful effects of food poisoning and relieve
the nausea and vomiting.
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