Harmful Effects of Cold and Dry Weather

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(Newswire.net — December 12, 2020) — With global warming on the rise and no proper solution in sight, it’s a good time to talk about the effects of cold and dry weather. With Ice in the North Pole melting the winters are about to last longer and get a lot colder. 

According to California news live reporting, the weather in California is going to be more cold and dry in the upcoming months. So what can we expect from the harshness of cold and dry weather and how will it be affecting us?

Heart conditions: In the cold of winters, our blood vessels become more narrow which slows down the flow of blood in the body. For those with heart conditions, this can be a very dangerous time. During winter the risk of heart attacks goes up. 

Skin: Cold temperatures with low levels of humidity reduce moisture in the skin, this makes skin more likely to become dry and cracked. In the worst types of cold environments, you are susceptible to Frost Bites.

Immune system: Cold weather slows down the blood flow which reduces the protective abilities of our immune system. Which would explain why we are so susceptible to colds and flu during the winter seasons. Wearing warm clothes does help deal with this by keeping us warm to improve blood flow.

Breathing: The air during winter is very dry and lacks the moisture required to keep our sinuses flowing. This makes it difficult to breathe in cold environments, by extension winter air can be more challenging for people suffering from Asthma. The dry air can also lead to coughing which scratches the throat.

Balance and falls: People are more likely to fall during winter and snow than at any other time of the season. Due to the cold, there is less dust in the air and the ground becomes more slippery to traverse. This in itself is not a problem but falls during cold climates create more painful injuries especially since our movement is restrictive due to the blood flow and heat loss.

How to protect yourself during winters and cold environments

Sometimes it really is as simple as finding the solutions by examining the problems themselves. The main things to keep in mind is to stay warm, protect the skin, and try to avoid getting sick.

Avoid hot shower: A hot shower might sound like the right thing during winter but keep in mind that it will also wipe away essential oils the skin produces for protection, so during winter stick to lukewarm showers. 

Moisturize your skin: A good moisturizer that suits your skin is going to be ideal for use in the cold winters. It will keep your skin protected and keep it from getting cracked which would otherwise make it vulnerable to bacteria in the air. Some moisturizers also provide additional forms of protection which could be useful. 

Dress warmly: It is a myth that some parts of your body lose heat faster than others. So make sure to stay warm by covering your body according to the needs of each part. Mittens will keep your hands warmer than gloves, wear a woolen hat over your head, and wear clothes that can protect your body during falls.