Dandruff
Key symptom: Flakes in your hair
Best fix: Medicated shampoo
If you see moist, yellow scales in your hair or in extra-oily areas (say, near your forehead or eyebrows), or if those telltale flakes appear on your shoulders, it may be dandruff, Dr. Cordoro says. The problem, in part, is a shedding of dead skin cells at a rate that’s faster than normal.
Overly dry or oily skin, an overgrowth of a yeastlike fungus common to everyone, and even stress may lead to dandruff. The good news for dandruff sufferers with oily skin: Winter usually gives you a break. The best treatment is a daily dose of an antidandruff shampoo that contains pyrithione zinc and selenium sulfide.
Psoriasis
Key symptom: Thick, silvery flakes
Best fix: Steroid ointment, meds
If you have thick, scaly, silvery spots on your body and/or scalp that are tender or itchy, you could have psoriasis, Dr. Cordoro says. This skin disease is caused by a misfiring immune system and may also be connected to arthritic joint pain.
Up to 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis, and the diminishing sunlight and dry air in winter might make it worse or cause an outbreak. Most people can benefit from a topical steroid ointment, Dr. Cordoro says. Light therapy can also help. And for serious cases, some docs recommend oral or injected meds, such as Enbrel.
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