Dry Skin Conditions
Many people suffer from dry skin, and the cold winter months are often the worst for their symptoms. Dry skin can be due to a number of conditions:
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes scaling, oiliness and redness of the skin, most often on the scalp, face and ears. Seborrheic dermatitis involves excess oil production so moisturizing is ineffective and may even worsen the problem. Instead, cortisone creams and lotions and treatments for reducing yeast on the skin's surface can alleviate symptoms.
Actinic Damage
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are lesions on the surface layer of the skin caused by chronic exposure to sunlight. AKs typically manifest as rough or scaly skin, bumps, mottled patterns and cutaneous horns. They may appear anywhere on the skin surface exposed to sunlight, but common areas include the face, neck, arms and hands. Treatment for AKs may take the form of traditional surgical excision, cryosurgery, curettage, topical medications, laser treatment, chemical peels, dermabrasion or pulsed light therapy.
Winter Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that results in chronic itchy rashes. Often worse in dry winter months, it may appear anywhere on the body, producing red patches on the skin that break out in rashes when scratched. Treatment of winter eczema may include the use of moisturizing lotions or creams, cold compresses, prescription corticosteroid medications, antihistamines and antibiotics to combat infection. Phototherapy is a common procedure that uses light to reduce rashes. For severe cases, drugs such as cyclosporine A may be recommended.