Itchy, Bumpy Skin May Be Due to More Than Winter Weather.

11/30/2021

What’s That Rash?
By Courtney Ramsey, FNP

With dry, cold winter weather often comes itchy, irritated skin. Sometimes, this is simply a consequence of the harsh outdoor elements, scratchy wool clothing, and dry indoor heating. But many skin conditions have nothing to do with the season or the environment.

Our skin is the body’s largest organ and it serves many important roles, from regulating body temperature to protecting your body from bacteria and viruses. However, as a barrier for substances that might hurt or irritate your body, your skin can suffer in the process.

Skin redness, itching, rashes or other conditions can be caused by external irritants, allergies, certain diseases or immune system disorders, and your own genetic background. A few common conditions include:

Eczema or Atopic dermatitis
Eczema is a common skin condition which causes dry, red, scaly, crusty or itchy skin. Unfortunately, the cause is unknown. It’s thought that eczema develops due to certain genetic factors, combined with exposure to external irritants – an overreaction of the body’s immune system to unknown “triggers” in the person’s environment. In adults, eczema happens in areas that bend, such as the hands/fingers, backs of knees, or inside of elbows. In children, eczema can also form on the face, neck and scalp, in addition to the knees and elbows. Sometimes, small, fluid-filled blisters can form and skin infections can occur. Triggers include stress, skin irritants (soap, detergents, and some fabrics), allergens (i.e., normal environmental substances that cause an allergic reaction in some people), and the climate – very hot, humid weather or extreme cold.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is caused by an immune system disorder in which the body creates new skin cells more quickly than old skin cells are shed. The accumulated older skin cells appear as lesions or crusty patches. The most common form, “plaque psoriasis,” appears as thick, scaly patches of white or silvery skin – usually found on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be spread through skin-to-skin contact. There is no cure, but the condition can be controlled. Certain triggers can cause psoriasis flare-ups, including infection, illness, stress, a reaction to certain medications or a scratch or wound to the skin.

Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a red, swollen, itchy skin rash caused by an irritating substance to which you have an existing allergy. It is triggered by something in your internal or external environment. Common allergens include plants (such as poison ivy); nickel (a common metal found in household items and jewelry); rubber products; perfumes, lotions and cosmetics; certain medications; and detergents or cleaners. With prolonged exposure to the allergen, the rash can become blistered, crusted or scaly.

Hives
Hives are red, itchy bumps, that can burn or sting, usually caused by an allergic reaction, an infection, or stress. People who are allergic to certain substances – foods, medications or an insect sting, for example – are most likely to get hives. Your body’s production of histamine, a chemical released after encountering a foreign substance, causes the skin to swell and form hives. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hives can vary from the size of a pencil eraser to a dinner plate. Usually, hives will go away on their own in a few days or weeks, but a severe case of hives may need medication or a shot of epinephrine, commonly used for severe allergies. If difficulty breathing occurs with hives, this signals a severe allergic reaction that may be life-threatening, and you should seek immediate medical help.

Getting Help
Some conditions can be helped with over-the-counter medications and topical creams, while others require a visit to the doctor for diagnostic testing and treatment recommendations. A severe or recurring skin condition may require a visit to a dermatologist. This doctor, who specializes in skin diseases, will review your health history, conduct a physical exam, and may conduct allergy tests to pinpoint the cause of your skin irritation, if allergies are suspected.

Treatment for skin conditions may include topical creams applied on top of the skin, oral or injected medications, or phototherapy (light therapy). Certain lifestyle changes may be necessary as well, particularly if your condition is triggered by stress, alcohol or tobacco, certain foods or medications, or environmental allergens. Your doctor can prescribe a course of treatment to ease your symptoms and help control future outbreaks, as well as make recommendations for modifications in your diet and other substances, or “triggers,” to avoid.

To meet with a provider to assess skin conditions, visit moberlyphysicians.com or call (660) 263-9095.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.

About the Author: Courtney Ramsey, FNP, at Moberly Rural Health Clinic, was a registered nurse for 10 years with mostly intensive care unit experience before becoming a family nurse practitioner. She joined the Moberly Regional Medical Center Staff as a FNP in 2015.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatologists www.aad.org; The Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com; National Institutes of Health www.nih.gov.

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