ST. JOSEPH, Mo.— Maintaining skincare for many is a daily routine, with different seasons affecting the severity of certain skin conditions.
With the calendar still within the winter portion of the year, higher rates of chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and seborrheic dermatitis tend to be more common.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the three skin conditions listed above.
Psoriasis: Non-contagious autoimmune condition resulting from the immune system having skin cells grow at a faster pace. This leads to thick, inflamed and scaly patches on the scalp, elbows or knees.
Eczema: Non-contagious condition resulting in itchy and inflamed skin rashes within the face, elbow or knee area.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: Inflammatory skin condition resulting in itching, red/yellow scaled patches and greasiness on the scalp, face or chest.
Cold winter temperatures along with general environmental factors increase these specific skin conditions due to dry weather and less humidity.
“Typically lots of itchy or irritated skin is seen with all three conditions,” Danielle Berg, a nurse practitioner with U.S. Dermatology Partners St Joseph, said. “Living in the Midwest can be a challenge with skin conditions. You have general environmental allergies, dust and mold can trigger that just as much as tree pollen can because the winter months have more dryness along with lower hydration or humidity.”
Common treatments and tips for these conditions include moisturizing, lukewarm showers, cream-based skin products and topical steroids/shampoos.
