Symptom: Dry, itchy skin
What it might mean: It's probably "winter itch," skin dryness that's a result of cold, dry air.
Using a humidifier, avoiding super hot showers, and routinely slathering on a thick moisturizer will help keep skin supple. But if it's an intense itch (the kind that makes you leave scratch marks on your skin) and is accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue or weight loss, your doctor may want to rule out more serious conditions like thyroid problems, renal disease or certain cancers. "These diseases release inflammatory hormones that make skin really itchy," says Peredo.