Skin Changes in Fall and Winter: Circulatory Warning Signs to Watch For

As summer comes to a close, many residents of McAllen, Rio Grande City, and Raymondville, Texas, are looking forward to cooler days and nights. Autumn and winter bring a welcome relief from the heat that defines Texas summers, but shifting weather patterns can also bring about changes in your skin. 

Our team at Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, is here to share some advice on which type of skin changes might indicate a serious circulatory problem. If you notice any of these issues this season, see John Hovorka, MD, or Cynthia Salinas, MD, for a thorough diagnostic work-up. 

Changing weather brings changing skin conditions

Your skin is incredibly resilient, capable of handling all kinds of environmental shifts. But maintaining proper moisture balance is a critical part of keeping your skin healthy. Colder weather makes it far more challenging to keep skin tissues hydrated. 

Cold temperatures are part of the problem, but dryer air is even more of an issue during the fall and winter months. While humidity can make summer days feel uncomfortably swampy, that moisture is great for your skin. During the fall and winter months, lower humidity can quickly lead to dry, itchy skin. 

You can combat dry skin by taking care to cover up when heading outdoors on colder days. Changing your skincare routine is also helpful. Heavier moisturizers are a good fit for colder weather, but be sure to continue wearing daily sunscreen, as ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is always happening, even on darker, gloomier days.

Some skin changes can be a sign of a circulatory problem

Your circulatory system transports oxygenated blood from your heart throughout the rest of your body, delivering nutrients and oxygen that your cells and tissues need to thrive. A system of veins carries deoxygenated blood back to your heart, where the process begins anew.  

Numerous issues can cause poor circulation, leaving your body without the nourishment it needs to function properly. Once circulation issues have advanced to a certain stage, you may begin to see the adverse effects on your skin. 

These changes usually become apparent in your legs, though they can happen in other areas of the body, too. Skin changes that might indicate a circulation problem include:

• Pale or blue-tinted skin
• Abnormally red skin
• Persistent itching
• Areas of scaling skin
• Open sores (ulcers)
• Varicose veins or spider veins
• Oozing or crusting skin
• Swollen, inflamed skin 
• Fluid accumulation beneath the skin

If you experience any of these changes, be sure to reach out to Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, to determine the underlying cause and explore treatment options. 

What might cause changes in the way skin looks and feels?

There are a number of things that might be causing the changes outlined above. Some conditions are more serious than others, but it isn’t always easy to determine the source of symptoms just by looking at your skin. 

Our team uses advanced diagnostic tools to learn more about how your circulatory system is functioning, and offers a range of solutions to support improved vascular health and ease your symptoms. Issues that might be causing or contributing to circulation-related skin changes include:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Varicose veins
• Raynaud’s disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes

Determining the cause of skin changes is the first step in starting a treatment plan that can help your circulation and improve the health and appearance of your skin. 

As we move into the colder months, take some time to perform a quick at-home skin check to see if any of these changes have developed. If you want to schedule a visit at Laser Surgical Solutions, RGV, PLLC, you can reach us online or by phone to check appointment availability at your nearest office in McAllen, Rio Grande City, or Raymondville, Texas.