Babies born in cold weather are at higher risk of developing atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, which causes skin irritation, food allergies, asthma, and frequent hay fever as they grow older, sometimes throughout their lives. At the same time, cold weather can also damage the skin's protective barrier, according to a study published in the American medical journal The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
According to Dr. Jessica Hui, a pediatric allergy specialist, babies born in cold weather can develop dry, itchy skin, which is associated with eczema, especially at risk of bacteria growing on the skin. When the skin is dry and cracked, food particles and other pathogens can enter the skin and enter the body. The body then recognizes these particles as a warning of danger. So when the baby eats those foods, the body will trigger an allergic skin reaction to counter the warning of danger. Skin allergies in childhood can show unusual symptoms such as rashes, itching, nausea, and swelling in the airways.
To study the effects of weather on the skin, researchers tested skin at temperatures ranging from moderate to high, and found that low temperatures inhibited proteins in the upper layers of the skin, causing skin function to be impaired and allergens to penetrate the skin more quickly. It was also noted that the colder the temperature, the more it damaged the skin's protective barrier.
The doctor above also advised that to protect children's skin during the cold season, the main point is to moisturize the skin because this will strengthen the skin's protective barrier and prevent allergens from easily passing through.
