"Apart from the common cold and cough, allergies are common in winter. The dryness, which is further enhanced by heaters and blowers, could sometimes lead to irritation in the eyes and the skin. In the eyes, it may then lead to conjunctivitis, while the skin can become itchy, and then develop an allergy," Budhiraj said.
While keeping off heaters may not be possible, given the severe cold conditions, he advised that a mug of water can be kept near the heater so that the humidity level of the room is maintained. "There are oil heaters and those with humidifiers that are also effective".
Low intake of water during winter may also lead to problems.
"One tends to drink less water in winter, but at the same time the intake of hot beverages like tea or coffee increases. This often leads to dehydration of the body, making your immune system vulnerable to illnesses," Ashwini Gokhale, a physician, said.
