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.
Prickly heat, heat rash or miliaria is a common condition that occurs mostly in hot and humid weather. It occurs when the sweat ducts under the skin are blocked. This causes the perspiration to remain trapped beneath the skin. Prickly heat can be mild or severe.