Can Cold Weather Cause Red Blotches on the Skin?
Dry Air Red blotches on the skin can be caused by a number of factors, but the most common culprit during cold weather months, according to the Physicians’ Desktop Reference website, is simply dry air (the condition is so common, in fact, that doctors refer to the condition as “water itch”). Humans constantly lose moisture through their skin by normal evaporative cooling processes, and the dry air found in cold climates and winter weather can accelerate the process. As water evaporates, the absence of excess humidity in the air causes the skin to become depleted of its natural lubrication; when the skin becomes very dry, it may appear as flaky or red with white, scaly areas. The areas most commonly affected are the face, hands, feet, shins and forearms, though any part of the body may lose enough water to appear red and splotchy during cold weather. Central Heat While outside air is generally very dry in cold climates, the air quality inside homes and offices may actually contribute to
