Symptom: Dry, itchy skin. Photo by Fuse/Getty Images. 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 Death Valley is affected by several of the main causes of heat waves - the frequent presence of a high pressure system (helped by its below sea level elevation), downslope air movement from surrounding mountains, and radiation of heat from the surrounding cliffs.
The excessive sweat clogs the skin pores, which, in turn, trigger these rashes. This happens when your perspiration gets trapped under the skin, instead of evaporating. That is why prickly heat rashes are seen commonly along skin folds, such as neck, waist, armpits, and groin.