Johnathan Perisho knows how to protect his skin against Muncie's harsh, cold weather.
"It's more weather-related but also partially hereditary," Perisho, a Ball State sophomore, said. "I use moisturizers, but not any one in particular. I've gone through many."
Perisho said he suggests that students planning to spend time outdoors need to keep their faces covered and moisturize often.
Severe dry skin, or eczema, is common among students on campus because of the weather, their genetics and stress, Kent Bullis, medical director of the Amelia T. Wood Student Health Center, said.
"I'd say about 10 percent of students have eczema," Bullis said. "It's fairly common and largely hereditary. People with dry skin types have more difficulty with cold air and lower humidity."
The estimated prevalence in the United States for eczema, NIAID reported in 2004, varies from 9 to 30 percent. Health care provider visits for eczema amount to $7 million per year nationwide.
Dr. Arthur Sumrall, dermatologist at the Indianapolis Longevity Clinic, said eczema differs from case to case.
"A topical eczema is an inflammatory disorder of the skin that affects people whose family background includes asthma, hay fever and sinus problems," Sumrall said. "There are many other types. Winter itch is a type caused by dry winter weather. Nummular eczema is patchy, round like a coin and is related to immune cells. High stress also causes eczema outbreaks."
While the National Health Information Center reported in June 2004 that colder temperatures may lead to more outbreaks of eczema, other factors can also affect sensitive skin.
Factors triggering eczema
Dermatologist Dr. Michael Crider of Muncie said eczema is triggered by over washing and by using deodorant soaps and net sponges that dry skin by removing its essential oils.
However, he said that stress is the main cause of skin outbreaks.
"Students at school will have higher levels of stress leading to more eczema outbreaks," Crider said.
Dr. Drew Anderson of the Lifetime Skincare Center in Muncie has felt the effect of severe dryness on his skin.
"I have hand eczema due to washing my hands so much during the day," he said. "The other things that make eczema worse are dry air and hot water. Swimming pools and hot tubs, which have high levels of chlorine, can also make eczema worse."
Dermatologist Sumrall explains further factors involved in skin irritation.
"Chlorine and winter weather do aggravate eczema," he said. "Anyone bathing in hard water or living in a region of low humidity can get infections in their dry skin if they itch it. Most people can get an over-the-counter cortisone cream, moisturizers or an emollient cream by prescription like Elidel or Protopic to help their skin."
Similarly, Anderson's idea of protecting skin involves adding more oil and moisture to it.
"Oils, in general, help to repair the skin," he said. "Tea tree oil has been shown to decrease inflammation, but some people can have allergic reactions to it."
Bullis said he urges students with eczema not to scratch their skin when it has become inflamed.
"Neurogenic dermatitis happens when someone has skin that itches," Bullis said. "The person tends to start scratching, and it turns into a cycle. It can get severe."
Skin and self-image
Ball State University Counseling Center Psychologist Kimberly Gorman works with students who have severe personal image issues and acknowledges that students with extremely dry or inflamed skin may have such self-image problems.
"It creates self-consciousness," she said. "When something looks wrong or askew physically, people seem to have more anxiety. The worst case scenario is depression because of it."
Katrina DeShaney, senior, said she does not let her dry skin worry her.
"My hands get dried out," she said. "I get self-conscious about it sometimes, but it's just one of those things that happen. So, I put on more lotion. I like to use Jergens."
Gorman suggests that reducing stress may help.
"Managing time is one of the hardest and most important things to do to reduce stress, especially in the beginning of a semester," she said. "Make sure you put in time to relax and have fun. Schedule in that time, eat well and have a balanced life."
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