Cold, Dry Air Puts Skin at Risk
OSF Healthcare warns that winter air can dry, crack and infect skin, with added dangers for people with diabetes.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Forecasts
OSF Healthcare has issued an advisory on how cold, dry weather affects skin. Cold air pulls moisture from skin, leading to dryness, flaking, itching and painful cracks that can bleed and let bacteria in.
Why it matters
Cracked skin creates openings for infection, and people with diabetes face extra risk because poor circulation slows healing and nerve damage can hide foot injuries. The advisory is aimed at residents of the Peoria area during the winter months.
The advisory is a clinical recommendation from OSF Healthcare rather than a measured dataset, and it provides no specific case counts or prevalence figures. It does not state how many residents of the area experience winter skin complications.
The players
OSF Healthcare
OSF Healthcare is a Catholic health system based in Peoria, Illinois, operating hospitals and clinics across central Illinois.
Becki Walz
Becki Walz is a provider with OSF Healthcare who authored the winter skin health post.
The details
Cold, dry air draws moisture out of skin and disrupts its protective barrier, causing flakiness and itching that can progress to cracks. Reduced circulation in people with diabetes slows delivery of oxygen and nutrients to wounds, while neuropathy can mean injuries go unfelt, and heating pads, space heaters or very hot water can cause burns.
Timeline
October 2026: Becki Walz published a post on winter skin problems.
Seasonal Patterns
Winter skin-care guidance for people with diabetes follows the American Diabetes Association's long-standing foot-care recommendations, which stress daily inspection and moisturizing to prevent cracks. The OSF advisory applies those established guidelines to the dry air typical of Peoria winters.
Residents, especially those with diabetes, should moisturize skin daily and check feet for cracks or wounds they may not feel. Keep heating pads, space heaters and hot water at safe temperatures to avoid burns.
The takeaway
Checking skin and feet daily during cold, dry weather can catch cracks and wounds early, before they turn into infections. Keeping skin moisturized is a simple habit that helps protect the skin barrier.
Further reading
For more on local conditions, see Forecasts for Peoria.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HME Business.
