Pay attention to the cause of skin itching in cold weather

Stating that itching due to skin dryness can occur especially in winter months, Dermatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Kemal Özyurt said, “In winter months, we see complaints related to skin dryness very frequently. Our patients present with complaints of dryness, especially on their hands and, less frequently, on their bodies. In these months, dryness increases even more with the effect of the cold. 

If it is not treated and moisturizers are not used, it also leads to eczema. Apart from this, there is a disease called atopic eczema. Especially in winter months, wearing woolen clothes and thick clothing too much also aggravates eczema. 

These also need to be treated with appropriate moisturizers. Again, in atopic dermatitis, very strong scrubbing or using soap, especially in winter months, with appropriate body cleansers can increase atopic eczema. Of course, when we say atopic eczema, the complaint of itching comes to mind. Sometimes skin dryness can present itself only with the complaint of itching. It is an important cause of itching. Especially in children with atopic eczema or even in the elderly without eczema, itching is very important. In these cases, dryness can be a serious cause of itching,” he said.

Prof. Dr. Özyurt, stating that the lives of patients with persistent scabies are negatively affected, said, “Itching can occur for many reasons in many diseases. It should also be mentioned that; unfortunately, there is a scabies epidemic that has been going on for 4 years today. There are itchy sores that continue with different findings in different patients, increase at night, and are especially seen in multiple family members spreading within the family or in individuals sharing the same house.

Early diagnosis of scabies is very important because as it is delayed, resistance to treatment can develop. Also, the lives of patients with persistent scabies are really badly affected. We have been applying newer treatments that have recently come to Turkey in the last 1 year to these patients. Scabies can also cause large outbreaks in dormitories, such as military units. Thankfully, it is not that widespread at the moment, but it is important for our patients who are itching to consider scabies and consult a physician accordingly,” he expressed.

“YOU SHOULD NOT HIDE SCABIES"

Stating that some patients hide that they have scabies because they are ashamed, Prof. Dr. Kemal Özyurt continued his words as follows:

“You should not hide scabies. Sometimes patients come in hesitantly. Scabies is not a lack of hygiene. It has nothing to do with not paying attention to hygiene or not cleaning clothes regularly. It is a contagious parasitic disease. The parasite can be transmitted to very hygienic people and people who pay great attention to cleanliness. Therefore, we advise our patients to definitely consult doctors for treatment without any worry. Itching can also be confused with each other. Scabies can be confused with many diseases.

We can distinguish this during the examination. Eczema has its own unique lesions and appearances, but it can really be confused. In scabies, we try to see the parasite and its parts by looking with a dermatoscopic examination, that is, by magnifying it more. That is important for us.

We can also distinguish it by situations such as the itching of scabies increasing at night, it having been transmitted to other members of the family, or it being present in people sharing the same house.”

News Source: İHA