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We know cold weather dries out skin, but did you know it can also cause full-blown medical conditions? Cold temperatures compromise the skin’s barrier, triggering inflammation, water loss, and worsening chronic conditions like atopic dermatitis. Some dermatoses, however, arise solely from cold exposure. Perniosis causes painful, itchy red nodules on fingers and toes, while cold panniculitis leads to fat inflammation, often seen in infants and athletes. Raynaud’s phenomenon results in cold-induced vasospasms, turning skin pale, and cold urticaria can escalate to life-threatening anaphylaxis. While some conditions resolve on their own, others require targeted treatments like calcium channel blockers or antihistamines. Recognizing and managing these disorders is key to preventing complications. So before you brush off winter skin woes, consider: could the cold be causing more than just dryness?
