Every winter, my fingers, toes and lips become swollen, red and itchy and sometimes painful even though I try to keep as warm as possible 24/7. I wear socks and gloves even at home, for example, and keep myself moisturized, especially applying lip balm like a million times a day. But I still get the inflammation and sometimes blisters too. Any advice/remedies, please?
Re: Harsh winters and inflammation
Have you tried arnica oil? Maybe baobob oil or red rasberry oil? My boy has extremely dry skin, especially during winter ( 7 - 8 months of -10 > -50) After a shower at night whilst skin is wet massage your chosen oil into your skin, cover up and go to bed.
This will reduce inflammation, at night warm some butter and tumeric in a small pan, add milk gently boil and drink warm. I swear by this - my grandma's recipe!
I alternate between baobob and red rasberry, especially red areas I rub in arnica oil.
I hope that helps!
Re: Harsh winters and inflammation
Thank you, fuzzypeach. See dry skin is not an issue, inflammation is. I'll try the turmeric thing glups.
Re: Harsh winters and inflammation
^ Huma, have you spoken to a doctor to rule out any over possibilities for the inflammation? What you described just doesn’t sound “normal”…even for extremely dry skin. Especially since you’re keeping warm and not outside in the snow with exposed skin.
Not sure if this will help but do some reading on Emu oil. Along with the dryness, its said to have anti-inflammatory properties. Here’s one link with some info. but if you do a search on it, you’ll find tons others.
EMU OIL: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD
Re: Harsh winters and inflammation
Paheli, it sounds worse than what I experience :D It's not abnormal or I would've been to the GP by now. The condition is called Chilblains. The blood vessels under the skin's surface get narrower in cold and when the skin is exposed to warmer temperatures, they become wider and blood may leak into the surrounding tissue. This is apparently what causes the swelling and itchy feeling (in my case it's not too much thankfully). This is quite common here in northern Europe where the weather is damp and cold as opposed to countries that experience extreme temperatures where the air is drier. I've googled around and there are some lotions available for chilblains but there's no evidence that they work and they're not recommended. I'll have a word with one of the pharmacists anyway and see if I can find something.
Re: Harsh winters and inflammation
^ I definitely learned something new! :) I looked up Chilblains......and am VERY happy to hear that you're not experiencing the it in the worst way! Going by your description....I was imagining all sorts of things in my head. Please be sure to mention here what pharmacist tells you...in case someone else comes across this thread with the same condition.
Good luck!
Re: Harsh winters and inflammation
I have exactly the same problem as you, Huma. It has been re-occurring for the past 4-5 years every single winter. I was told the same thing by my doctor, that it happens due to the blood not circulating correctly and I can often see when my feet are really cold, my toes turn very pale, as if there is no blood getting to them.
I've just been told to keep warm so I tend to wear socks throughout winter, day and night. It can be a right pain but there seems to be no remedy that works :( I was given tablets once but I don't think they even make much of a difference. My toes become swollen, hurt and itch, just like you described. But it's never happened to my lips and fingers as you've described hmm...
Does anyone else suffer from this? Any tips/remedies that have worked?
Re: Harsh winters and inflammation
In another thread.
See its because your natural habitat is south asia. Thats where your species is supposed to be. Move away, and you will see some side effects, like bad skin.
Re: Harsh winters and inflammation
My go-to oil now for skin irritation and whatnot is coconut oil. EVCO. Its awesome.
You rub it on fresh out of the shower and it heels dry skin, patches of redness, eczema, etc.