Dry Skin

Dry skin is a classic symptom of DTSF in general, and Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome in specific. Skin may become dry, coarse, and scaly. The skin may become so dry that a patient may be able to write one’s name by gently scraping one’s fingernail across the skin. Interestingly, the skin on either side of the nose and underlying the eyebrows (overlying the sinuses) is quite susceptible to being dry. Of course, the sinuses are where air passes through the head on the way to the interior of the body. And the areas over the sinuses can, therefore, be slightly cooler than other sites of the body. The skin over the sinuses frequently can become dry because its enzymes might then not function as well, leaving the maintenance level of the skin less than ideal. Similarly, the areas over the elbows, knees, backs of the hands, knuckles, fingers, feet, heels, soles of the feet are frequent areas where dry skin will be found. These areas also tend to be cooler in relation to the rest of the body because of their position in the extremities away from the core of the body, and also because they overlie bone (there is a decreased volume of blood flow to these areas). The dry skin can be widespread, however.

I recently saw a man in his late 50’s who developed a skin rash over his entire body. His skin was essentially flaking off from his head to his toes. The skin was so dry on his face that it caused his mouth to be drawn tight and his eye lids to curl, appearing to make it difficult for him to close his eyes. The skin on his head, arms, legs, and all over his body was so dry and flaky that he would “snow” wherever he walked or sat. His skin flaking was so severe that when he would stand up and leave, part of him would stay. He had been to dermatologists who could find no good explanation for his condition, but upon careful history, it was apparent that his condition began after he began having a lot of financial difficulty in his business six to eight months previously. His skin became so irritated and scaly that some of his tissue fluids would actually seep to the surface of his body. The fluid would evaporate quickly, causing him to lose a great deal of body fluids and causing him to feel extremely cold. Within a few months of treatment, the skin on his mouth and face had completely returned to normal, and there was tremendous improvement on his arms, legs, and chest. He literally looked like a different person. The patient feels his skin is actually better now than previous to his stress, and he feels that his skin has not looked as healthy and youthful for the last fifteen years. He no longer leaves his skin at the places he visits, when before his skin seemed to be literally falling apart. We sometimes take for granted how important the skin is, its vital importance can best be seen when it does not function properly. Needless to say, the patient is quite happy, and for me it has been one of the most amazing cases with which I have ever been involved.