Apply lotion or dry itching? 6 tips to improve winter itching! Nutritionist Xu Yuzhen: 3 tips for eating good oils to protect your skin

In winter, it's not just the respiratory tract that's hit hard. Winter is also the peak season for winter itch. Do you still feel dry and itchy skin even after applying lotion? What can you do to get rid of the annoying "winter itch" symptoms? Nutritionists say that when facing itchy, red, swollen and uncomfortable skin, some daily behaviors need to be changed, and more attention should be paid to eating good oils in the diet, so that the skin will be well behaved and spend the winter safely.

Nutritionist Xu Yuzhen said that winter itching is a skin problem that many people will experience. The correct name is "asteatotic eczema". The human body will lose moisture from the skin due to many reasons (diet, lifestyle, disease, etc.). When encountering dry and cold weather, the skin will become red, swollen, itchy and inflamed.

Here are 6 tips on how to improve winter itching:

Do not use bath products that are too strong or clean too frequently.

6 tips to relieve winter itching

1. Keep your body moisturized

You can apply moisturizing lotion on your body right after taking a shower, or apply a thin layer of vaseline on the areas prone to acne.

2. The bath water temperature should not be too high

Water that is too hot can easily take away the oil from your skin. Try to keep the temperature at around 45 degrees and don’t wash for too long.

3. Avoid Over-Cleaning

Do not use bath products that are too strong or clean too frequently.

4. Pay attention to the maintenance of the affected area

When your skin is itchy, do not scratch it hard to avoid breaking the skin and bleeding. If there is redness, swelling or inflammation, you can use ice to relieve it. If the situation is too serious, it is recommended to see a doctor for treatment.

5. Avoid certain foods

Avoid eating spicy foods, smoking, drinking and other irritating foods to prevent blood vessel dilation and itching. You should also eat less fried, grilled, and sweet foods to reduce inflammation.

6. Nutrition needs to be supplemented

Winter itching is particularly prone to occur in malnourished elderly people. The body may lack nutrients such as fat, protein, and vitamins, resulting in insufficient protection of the skin, so special attention should be paid to diet.

Supplementing with Omega-3 fatty acids can fight inflammation. Sources include: nuts and seeds, deep-sea fish, flaxseed oil, perilla seed oil, etc.

3 Diet Tips to Avoid Winter Itch

As for what diet should you eat to avoid winter itching? Nutritionist Xu Yuzhen provides the following 3 suggestions:

1. Eat good oil

Supplementing with Omega-3 fatty acids can fight inflammation. Sources include: nuts and seeds, deep-sea fish, flaxseed oil, perilla seed oil, etc. Eat one tablespoon of nuts and seeds every day and deep-sea fish at least twice a week; flaxseed oil and perilla seed oil can be poured on soups, toast, and salads. In addition, the vitamin E in oils and fats also has the function of moisturizing the skin, and it is rich in plant oils such as avocado, olive oil, and nuts.

2. Sufficient high-quality protein

Many of our senior friends may have bad teeth or poor swallowing ability. Not eating much meat may cause protein deficiency and may also cause dry and flaky skin. You can use dairy products, steamed eggs, softer fish, and soy products (tofu, soy milk, dried tofu) to supplement high-quality protein, or you can cut the meat into smaller pieces and cook it until it is softer so that it is easier to swallow.

3. Eat enough fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, especially vitamin A, which is one of the most important nutrients for protecting the skin. Carrots, tomatoes, papaya, spinach, broccoli, kale, etc. are all good sources of vitamin A.

Reminder: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and must be consumed with oil to be absorbed. In addition, many fruits and vegetables contain a wide variety of phytochemicals, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and can also help reduce inflammation and redness of the skin.

Recipe mix and match suggestions: papaya milk, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, nut yogurt, assorted chicken soup, vegetable hibiscus and tofu casserole, etc.

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