Tags: Beauty Dry skin Winter Itchy skin Skin care Recommended by For more articles on beauty, visit our beauty section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. For health related Q&A, click here! Reference: Simopoulos AP. Essential fatty acids in health and chronic disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep;70(3 Suppl):560S-569S.PubMed PMID: 10479232. With the onset of winter, many of us are concerned about what is commonly known as the winter itch. With the sudden drop in humidity levels, dry, flaky and itchy skin is an inevitable part of winter. According to Dr Rohit Batra, Dermatologist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, dry skin in children is mainly due to atopic dermatitis or eczema and in adults one of the causes could be a thyroid imbalance. He adds that elderly patients suffer from the winter itch mainly because of kidney or liver ailments. While Dr Batra says there is nothing that one can do to prevent this itch, here are a few things that can help. Skip deep fried food and instead switch to natural fats While it is tempting to gorge on hot pakoras or other deep fried ‘comfort’ food in order to keep warm, indulging in such unhealthy eating habits might only aggravate the winter itch as it lacks antioxidants and natural fats required to keep your skin healthy during winter. Instead, have seasonal winter fruits like oranges, strawberries, figs, apples along with almonds, walnuts and avocados. Dr Aparna Santhanan, a Mumbai-based dermatologist , says, ‘During winter, eat foods with natural fats as they help to hold moisture in the epidermal layer of the skin. Food cooked in olive or coconut oil also help to bolster natural oils in the body. Also, the skin tends to heal much slower during winter as it becomes dry. So, antioxidants from seasonal fruits help in bolstering the skin’s healing ability and also makes your skin look younger.’ These are some more Foods to beat the winter chills . Be careful while layering your clothes Woolens and thermal clothes are known to irritate the skin and aggravate itchiness. Instead of directly wearing a woollen shirt or thermal vest, first wear cotton clothes, says Dr Batra. This will keep you skin safe from friction and any allergens from woolen wear. Also, here are 6 home remedies for itchy skin. Avoid using harsh soaps and moisturisers with fragrances Your favourite scented moisturiser could end up irritating your dry skin even further especially during winter. Instead, switch to bland moisturisers that have aloe vera, glycerine or paraffin as one of the major components. As you take care of your skin this winter, get rid of dry scalp with these 5 easy home remedies . ‘If you have oily skin, use a gel-based lotion and if your skin is excessively dry, use a cream based one. In patients where the itching has completely set in, topical ointments with mild steroids are prescribed in order to ease the skin irritation along with oral anti-allergens. Also don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day,’ says Dr Batra. Take lukewarm showers Though it is a well-known fact that hot water can strip your skin from valuable moisture during winters, many people aren’t able to resist the temptation. However, remember that for a few minutes of warmth in the hot shower, you might have to suffer through scaly and dry skin throughout the day. Instead, switch to lukewarm water as it also improves blood circulation. Avoid washing your hands and legs with cold water as that can also leave your skin feeling dry. Massage your body with coconut oil before bathing to soften the skin. Read this to know more about winter dos and don’ts for your skin . Take oral supplements rich in fatty acids During winter, your skin tends to feel parched despite repeated moisturising. While topical lotions and ointments can relieve the itch, you can nourish your skin by visiting your dermatologist who may prescribe supplements with omega-3 fatty acids and beta-carotene. Omega-3 fatty acids not only benefit your skin but also fight a host of other ailments. As per the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, omega-3-fatty acids have also been known to help in the secondary prevention of heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and in some patients with renal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.