Cold, dry winter weather is upon us in New England, and all the time spent outside in these frosty conditions can dry out your skin. It’s no secret that having itchy, rough skin that feels tight or cracks and bleeds can be extremely uncomfortable, if not downright painful. However, dry skin is easily treated and prevented once you know the signs, symptoms, and potential triggers.

Dry skin is incredibly common and can appear anywhere on your body.

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease that affects more than 8 million Americans. It is characterized by red, itchy, and scaly patches on the knees, elbows, back, and scalp. Psoriasis runs on a cycle, with flare-ups usually occurring for a few weeks or months at a time. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are various treatments and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms and reduce the severity of flare-ups.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of psoriasis differ case-by-case,