Winter is a time when many skin diseases exacerbate. These are the causes of seasonal aggrevations from the perspective of Ayurvedic and modern view.

1. WINTER AND SKIN DISORDERS
Dr Anu Mariam Varghese
Physician
Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Foundation

2. PREVALENCE
• 3.1% of population suffers from dry skin( 31/100)
• In countries where winter is extreme more incidence
• 55% of preexisting skin ailments got exacerbates.
• 25-30 % of skin OPD increases during winter season

3. IS THERE ANY ASSOCIATION BETWEEN
WINTER AND SKIN PROBLEMS ?

4. CONTENTS
WHAT HOW
WHY WHOM
Rx

5. Ritu Hematha / Sisira Ritu
• Cold atmosphere – blockade to the dissipation of heat
(Seetasamrodhat hemanthe)
• Increases the digestive power(prabalo anala:)
• Same regimens in sisira kala; dryness
increases(seetamadhikam roukshyam cha adhanakalajam)
• Temperature change & dry climate dry wind.
• Cause damage to normal smoothness of skin, skin became dry
• This dryness cause itching even without any diseases and
other skin ailments.

7. Seeta
Rooksha
Khara
VATA Laghu
Chala
Sookshma

8. Concept of Dooshivisha
Aggravating factor (Seethabhra) i.e cold/ dry air or
deranged seasons -(Dooshittham desakalaanna)
Manifestation of diseases

9. PATHOLOGY
VASODIALTION /VASOCONSTRICTION
Skin lesions Exacerbations
Releases Histamines
m
Contact with cold surface or cold
air/ water
Mast cells activated

10. Common symptoms
• Dry scaly skin esp in extremities (Icthyotic skin)
• Cracked skin
• Itching/ Winter itch
• Redness
• Blisters & Bumps
• Flaking/Scaling
• Burning sensation
• Dry chapped lip

12. Common skin diseases flare-up in winter
• Dry Eczema Sidhmam
• Psoriasis Ekam
• Atopic dermatitis Dadru
• Fungal infections Vicharchika
• Lichen planus Kitibham
• Dandruff Darunakam
• Seborrheic dermatitis Seetapittam
• Keratosis pilaris Mukhadooshika
• Cold Urticaria DV Kandu
• Pernosis/ Chilblains
• Acne vulgaris
• Rosacea
• Pruritus hiemalis

13. Psoriasis
Common,chronicandrecurrent
dermatosis.
Typicalsitesofwelldefined,
erythematous,induratedpapulesand
plaques,whicharesurmountedbylarge
looselysilveryscales.
Erythematous-deeppinktored,oftensurroundedbya
hypopigmentedhalo(ringofWoronoff)
•Histologicallybyepidermalproliferationanddermal
inflammation

14. Eczema
• Red, dry, itchy patches on the skin that result from inflammation.
Itching may be severe and constant. With frequent scratching,
the skin may develop blisters, oozing, crusting, or sores from
infection.
• Sometimes, if the child scratches for many weeks to months, the
skin may start to become very rough, leathery and darker in
color.
• In infants, eczema commonly affects the face, scalp, arms and
legs.
• In older children, eczema may involve only the insides of the
elbows and backs of the knees.

15. Atopic dermatitis
• Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a severe form of eczema, which
is an umbrella term used to describe a group of
conditions that result in itchy, red, and irritated skin.
• It is a chronic, inflammatory disease that results in red,
itchy patches on the skin that can crack and weep.
• Dry, itchy skin that typically appears
on the face, inside of elbows or behind
knees. However, AD can appear
anywhere on the body.

16. Cold urticaria
• Transient erythematous and edematous
plaques(wheals) associated with pruritus.
• Cold urticaria- heterogeneous group of
conditions which whealig occurs within
minutes of rewarming after cold
exposure.
• Wheal- central swelling surrounded by
edema- primary lesion

17. Fungal infections/Dermatophytosis
• Dermatophytosis invades to stratum corneum
and inflammation cause is a result of metabolic
products of fungus / delayed hypersensitivity
• Tinea infections- Tinea corporis, pedis, cruris,
manum, capitis, barbae, unguium
• Lesions- circular, dry, erythemetous, scaly and itchy, inflamed
border containing papules and vesicles surrounding a clear
area.

18. Rosacea
• Chronic skin disorder affecting central
facial area.
• Redness on the nose, cheeks, chin, or forehead.
• Itchy rash
• Aggravated by anything giving vasodialtion.
• Papules and pustules with erythema.

19. Lichen planus
• Chronic autoimmune pruritic disease with
violaceous flat-topped papules usually seen on
wrists and legs.
• Papulosquamous disorder.
• 6P- planar, purple, papules, plaques, pruritic, polygonal

20. CONTRAINDICATIONS
• Hot and long shower
• Excessive use of scrub/ soap
• Lack of protective clothing
• Dehydration

21. INTERVENTION
Internal
medications
External
applications
Preventive
measures

22. ONLY AS PER THE CONDITION OF DISEASE AND STRENGTH
OF PATIENT
Internally,
Dasamoolarasnadi kashayam Dooshivishari gulika
Indukantham kashyam Vilwadi gulika
Panchatiktakam kashyam Kaisora guggulu
Mahatiktakam kashayam Khadirarishtam
Manjishtadi kashayam Aragwadasavam
Nimbadi kashayam Nimbasavam
Nirgundyadi kashayam Avipathy choornam
Nishothamadi kashyam Bruhat Triphala
Patoladi kashayam Haridrakhandam
Tiktakam kashayam Manibadram lehyam

23. Brahma rasayanam Dineshavalyadi tailam
Agasthya rasayanam Eladi tailam
Aragwada mahatiktaka ghritham Guggulumarichadi tailam
Kalyanaka ghritham Kayyunyadi tailam
Mahatiktaka ghritham Malathyadi tailam
Tiktakam ghritham Bhujakalathadi keratailam
Nimbamrithadi eranda tailam Darunakam tailam
Dordhoorapatradi
Durvadi
Gopadmajadi
Karappan tailam
Neeli tailam
Jeevanthyadi yamakam
Mahatiktakam gh.ointment

24. Patola keraghritham
Nalpamardi tailam
Gopadmajadi kera tailam
Vara choornam
Eladi choornam
Lodradi choornam
Nimbadi choonam

25. Home remedies
• Body mist
• Tulasi & Honey
• Almond oil, Coconut oil, Olive oil
• Use glycerin based soap
• Omega-3 fatty acid and anti-oxidant rich foods.
• Nuts, Seeds, Fruits and vegetables like pomegranate, tomato,
sweet potato, Fish, egg white, Cheese, butter, Barley , wheat ,
vegetable soup, mutton soups (Only for whom who are not
having any preexisting skin diseases)

26. THANK YOU