By Martin H. Kay MD, PhD
Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Those of us living in Southern California are living in a desert like environment. Our air humidity is usually very low and this can cause a number of skin problems.

When you add the heaters put on in the house or workplace during the winter months you have a situation that can be disastrous to certain people 's skin conditions.

Many people have a genetic skin condition called eczema. It can start at birth or occur later in childhood. These people have pink, dry and very itchy skin which can lead to a skin infection. Extra environmental dryness aggravates their condition.

Older Californians tend to have drier skin anyway, especially if they also take certain blood pressure medications (fluid pills). They are also especially prone to severe winter eczema.

Both of these groups of patients need eczema counseling and treatment.

If one is prone to these types of eczema, then a few simple precautions should help before the "winter itch" starts. Eczema sufferers should always avoid strong hand and body soaps.

Liquid cleansers or hand sanitizers are much better at cleaning the skin without drying it out. All toiletries must be "fragrance free," including laundry detergent. Frequent, long, hot showers or baths are to be avoided.

Moisturization of the skin is helpful, but avoiding things that dry the skin is even more important. There are many creams and lotions to treat the person who gets an itchy eczema eruption. Some are "over-the-counter" and some can only be gotten by prescription from your doctor.

For more information, please visit http://www.aad.org/public/index.html (The American Academy of Dermatology).