How winter weather can make these rashes worse

Red, itchy and scaliness.

Does that describe your skin during a cold Canadian winter?

"Rashes that can get worse in the cold weather are eczema, psoriasis and viral-type rashes shingles, cold sores, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease," said Dr. Marisa Ponzo, a dermatologist.

The weather can make these rashes feel worse, and it strips your skin of its natural moisture, further irritating the problem areas. You can ease some discomfort by doing this.

"Short, lukewarm showers...the hot water makes it worse. Use a gentle, unscented cleanser only on the dirty areas of the body, so underarms, privates and feet. We don't have to scrub our elbows and make the eczema worse. And then you pat-dry after and lock in the moisture with a good, thick moisturizing cream. [It should] also [be] unscented," said Ponzo.

One million Canadians suffer from psoriasis and one in six have eczema. They are non-contagious, chronic, inflammatory skin conditions.

"Sunlight actually helps with psoriasis. It's because the UV (ultraviolet rays penetrate the top layers of the skin, and they tell the immune system where the psoriasis is to sort of back off. And that is why psoriasis gets better with the sun. But if you take that away, like we have in the winter time, it's able to come out again and be worse," said Ponzo.

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Many viral skin conditions are contagious, like hand-foot-and-mouth disease. They tend to peak in colder weather due to closer contact indoors. Cold weather can further irritate already dry and cracked skin.

"So, what we see on the outside of our skin is actually a reflection of what is going on inside in the immune system. So keeping your immune system healthy will help with your immune system, overall," said Ponzo.

Thumbnail courtesy of Getty Images.