More Than Winter-Dry Skin

Eczema and psoriasis flare up this time of year. Here’s what you need to know

- Lisa Marie Conklin

For some people, freezing temperatures and harsh winds can cause more than chapped lips and dry skin. People with eczema or psoriasis—two inflammatory skin conditions—are most likely to experience flare-ups when the weather turns cold and dry. Though these skin conditions are often mistaken for each other (both can include itching, rashes, and redness), there are differences in how they affect the body and how they are treated.

There are several types of eczema, but the most common is atopic dermatitis (AD), an allergic skin disease. The main symptom is itching, which can be so intense that scratching leaves the skin vulnerable to infection. “Eczema is an inherited skin condition often associated with asthma or allergic rhinitis [hay fever],” says Jeffrey Weinberg, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology with the Mount Sinai hospitals in New York City.

Eczema often starts in early childhood, and some people outgrow the symptoms as they age. In children the disease usually appears on the cheeks, elbows, knees and scalp. In adults, eczema typically shows up in the creases of the face and neck, behind the knees, and on the wrists and ankles.

Besides itching, eczema symptoms can include dry, red, scaly, or inflamed skin; bleeding (from scratching); swelling; crusted or oozing skin; and rough, leathery, scaly patches. These symptoms can come and go, with periods of clear skin followed by flare-ups when the skin becomes itchy and irritated again.