Permiosis on the Rise: How Nagpur Grandmas Are Fixing ‘Almond Oil + Glycerin’ Mixes Better Than Pharma Creams

While the meteorological focus remains on temperature, dermatologists across the Gangetic plain and Central India are flagging a secondary health crisis: the sharp uptick in Perniosis, commonly known as chilblains. These painful, reddish-purple patches appearing on toes and fingers are not just a cosmetic issue; they indicate localized inflammation caused by the sudden rewarming of constricted capillaries.

In the absence of centralized heating, Indian families are bypassing expensive paraffin-based treatments and reverting to a 500-year-old formulary, and this time, the data backs them up.

In Khamla, Nagpur, homemakers like Anamika Shrivastava have become de facto community health advisors. "Eczema doesn’t respond to just any cream in this weather. The skin barrier is broken. You need an occlusive," she explains, using terminology that would impress a cosmetic chemist. Her remedy? Slightly warmed coconut oil applied to damp skin immediately after a bath. This isn't just folk wisdom; the oil traps water molecules against the epidermis, a function modern "humectants" strive to replicate .

For patients suffering from psoriasis flare-ups triggered by the lack of sunlight, a specific blend is outperforming expectations. A mixture of coconut oil and neem oil, applied topically, is being used to reduce the scaling associated with rapid skin cell turnover. This is often paired with internal anti-inflammatory aids like turmeric milk to tackle the condition from the dermis and the gut simultaneously .

However, the star hack for February 2026 is the treatment of windburn. With the cold wind blowing at high speeds, the face often suffers a burning, tight sensation. Urban professionals are turning to a vintage hack: a combination of glycerin and rose water. Unlike heavy creams that feel greasy under masks or helmets, glycerin acts as a humectant, drawing moisture from the air into the skin. Rose water balances the pH and provides a soothing effect .

For cracked heels and chapped lips, the emergency fix isn't Vaseline—it’s pure ghee. Applied at night, ghee penetrates the cracks faster than petroleum jelly due to its short-chain fatty acids. As we approach mid-February, the message from the older generation is clear: synthetic is temporary; edible oils are reparative .