What skin condition tends to worsen during the winter months due to dryness?

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that is particularly sensitive to environmental changes, especially dryness. During the winter months, the air tends to have lower humidity levels, which can lead to increased skin dryness. This can exacerbate the symptoms of eczema, causing flare-ups characterized by red, inflamed, and itchy patches of skin.

The underlying cause of eczema involves a compromised skin barrier that struggles to retain moisture. When the air is dry, the skin loses water more quickly, leading to irritation and worsening of the condition. Moreover, cold weather here often requires indoor heating, which can further decrease humidity levels and impact skin hydration.

In contrast, conditions like psoriasis may also be affected by the winter months, but they do not universally worsen from dryness in the same way that eczema does. Acne can be influenced by various factors unrelated to dry skin, such as hormonal changes or excess oil production, while dermatitis is a broader category that may or may not be affected by winter dryness depending on its specific type. Thus, eczema is the condition most typically recognized for worsening due to winter dryness, making it the correct answer.