Business Insight Winter Blues Yes, it is coming. Colder weather, heat on, and there you go: all the skin flares are up again. There will be many calls to see the clinic providers to assist and help. Some of them, we will accommodate within a week, but some others will probably have to wait for a little longer. Thus, you will need self-help before you see us. What should you do? If you already turned on your heat, make sure you also turn on the humidifier. Get a smaller portable one just for the bedroom if your central heat does not have one. That is your step #1. Increase the amount of water you drink, that is #2. It does not have to be clear water, but water is the best to hydrate the whole body. #3 will also be simple: start moisturizing your whole body, especially the areas that also have a tendency to flare. Dry skin gets irritated more and, if you scratch it, you will develop your own home-grown dermatitis just by doing that. Inflamed skin is very sensitive to catch infections, and this is the last thing you wish for. So, if your hands are super dry, use moisturizer and put white cotton gloves overnight, after you apply the cream, let your hands get some renewal while you sleep. Also, make sure to catch any broken skin as early as possible and put surgical gloves when you wash dishes or do any type of cleaning. Make sure you protect your broken skin from any bacteria in the environment. If you suffer from psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, check your skin for early signs of flares. Do it every day to make sure you do not miss it. Both disorders spread very fast if not caught early, especially if you have a habit of scratching in your sleep. Do not use old medication from a year or longer ago. More than likely, it is expired and should not be applied. Before you see us for a new prescription, you may get over the counter hydrocortisone and use it temporarily. presented by Arlington Dermatology Patients who have a large body area covered in psoriasis and dermatitis lesions and plaques may need to revisit an idea of starting some systemic medication. Applying creams or ointments for more than 10% of the body surface is not only impractical; it is also not helpful. Pills and injections for both diseases are available and can be prescribed or received through the clinical studies. Remember, clinical research may help you and many other patients like you. Participation in clinical trials is free and voluntary, and you may benefit from it not only by getting rid of the disease, but also having medical care delivered at no charge. It is always an option. And finally, something I forget to mention so often: if you have psoriasis or atopic dermatitis and you started flaring, check the skin of your children. Both diseases are related to the immune system and are often genetically connected. If your children never had it, make sure to ask them about itches here and there, and evaluate their skin from time to time. Yes, children get it too. We see them all year round, even very young children. They sometimes can be a part of a clinical study as well. The very bottom line: pay attention to sniffs and coughs, but also to your skin. It is very important.. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight Winter Blues Yes , it is coming . Colder weather , heat on , and there you go : all the skin flares are up again . There will be many calls to see the clinic providers to assist and help . Some of them , we will accommodate within a week , but some others will probably have to wait for a little longer . Thus , you will need self - help before you see us . What should you do ? If you already turned on your heat , make sure you also turn on the humidifier . Get a smaller portable one just for the bedroom if your central heat does not have one . That is your step # 1 . Increase the amount of water you drink , that is # 2 . It does not have to be clear water , but water is the best to hydrate the whole body . # 3 will also be simple : start moisturizing your whole body , especially the areas that also have a tendency to flare . Dry skin gets irritated more and , if you scratch it , you will develop your own home - grown dermatitis just by doing that . Inflamed skin is very sensitive to catch infections , and this is the last thing you wish for . So , if your hands are super dry , use moisturizer and put white cotton gloves overnight , after you apply the cream , let your hands get some renewal while you sleep . Also , make sure to catch any broken skin as early as possible and put surgical gloves when you wash dishes or do any type of cleaning . Make sure you protect your broken skin from any bacteria in the environment . If you suffer from psoriasis or atopic dermatitis , check your skin for early signs of flares . Do it every day to make sure you do not miss it . Both disorders spread very fast if not caught early , especially if you have a habit of scratching in your sleep . Do not use old medication from a year or longer ago . More than likely , it is expired and should not be applied . Before you see us for a new prescription , you may get over the counter hydrocortisone and use it temporarily . presented by Arlington Dermatology Patients who have a large body area covered in psoriasis and dermatitis lesions and plaques may need to revisit an idea of starting some systemic medication . Applying creams or ointments for more than 10 % of the body surface is not only impractical ; it is also not helpful . Pills and injections for both diseases are available and can be prescribed or received through the clinical studies . Remember , clinical research may help you and many other patients like you . Participation in clinical trials is free and voluntary , and you may benefit from it not only by getting rid of the disease , but also having medical care delivered at no charge . It is always an option . And finally , something I forget to mention so often : if you have psoriasis or atopic dermatitis and you started flaring , check the skin of your children . Both diseases are related to the immune system and are often genetically connected . If your children never had it , make sure to ask them about itches here and there , and evaluate their skin from time to time . Yes , children get it too . We see them all year round , even very young children . They sometimes can be a part of a clinical study as well . The very bottom line : pay attention to sniffs and coughs , but also to your skin . It is very important .. Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net