Video visits for patients who are in New York at the time of the visit. Read the full guide: Why Does Eczema Get Worse in Winter? Triggers and What Helps.
For general educational purposes only, not a substitute for specific medical advice. Consult with a licensed provider before implementing any adjustments to your treatment regimen.
Rochester winters and eczema
- Normal January daily high and low temperature at Rochester (Greater Rochester International Airport), 1991-2020 normals: High 33.4°F, low 19.0°F; monthly mean 32.0°F in December, 26.2°F in January and 27.4°F in February [1]
- Average number of days per year when Rochester's low temperature is at or below freezing, and when the high stays at or below freezing: About 129 days a year with a low of 32°F or colder; about 45 days a year when the high stays at 32°F or colder; about 4 days a year below 0°F [2]
- Heating degree days (base 65°F), a standard measure of how much heating homes need: 6,273 heating degree days a year; January is highest at 1,203, and monthly totals stay above 400 from October through April [3]
- Average outdoor dew point (how much moisture the air holds) in Rochester in winter compared with summer: About 19°F in January and February, compared with about 61°F in July [4]
- Normal snowfall at Rochester: 102.0 inches a year; 22.3 inches in December, 27.4 in January, 23.1 in February and 17.9 in March [1]
Where to get help in and around Rochester
These local and state programs are free or low-cost places to start. Details can change, so check the program’s site before you go.
- UR Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital Pediatric Dermatology: Dermatology care for patients from birth to 18 (plus some adults with childhood skin conditions). The service lists an Atopic Dermatitis center of excellence and an atopic dermatitis clinic run with adult dermatology, and offers telemedicine visits to patients in New York State. Phone: (585) 275-SKIN or (585) 275-7546. Website [5]
- Golisano Children's Hospital Pediatric Allergy & Immunology: Pediatric allergy service that lists contact dermatitis and eczema (atopic dermatitis) among the disorders it routinely sees. It has four locations, with sites in Rochester, Batavia and Geneseo. Phone: (585) 276-7190. Website [6]
- UR Medicine Dermatology (adult): Adult dermatology that lists eczema (atopic dermatitis) among the conditions it treats. Locations: College Town (40 Celebration Drive, Rochester 14620), Red Creek in Henrietta (400 Red Creek Drive, Building 400, Suite 200, Rochester 14623) and Strong West in Brockport (156 West Avenue, 3rd floor). Phone: (585) 275-7546. Website [7]
- Rochester Regional Health - Genesee Valley Dermatology & Laser Centre: Rochester Regional Health dermatology office whose page names eczema as a condition it treats. Phone: (585) 424-6770. Website [8]
- URMC Dermatology Clinical Trials Unit: Runs dermatology research studies. Its current listings include atopic dermatitis studies, such as TIME-2 (NCT06504160, ages 6 and up) and a skin microbiome study in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis (NCT04170244, ages 13 and up). Study eligibility is set by each trial. Phone: (585) 273-4195. Website [9]
Rules and coverage worth knowing
- New York's step therapy law (Chapter 512 of the Laws of 2016; Insurance Law §4903(c-1) to (c-3)) lets a prescriber request an override of a plan's step therapy protocol on set grounds, such as a drug that is contraindicated, expected to be ineffective, or already tried and failed. The plan must decide within 72 hours of receiving the supporting information, or 24 hours when the patient's health is in serious jeopardy, and a missed deadline counts as an approved override. The law applies to fully insured plans, HMOs, the Essential Plan, Medicaid managed care and Child Health Plus. It does not apply to self-insured plans, Medicaid fee-for-service or Medicare. [10]
How a video visit with Charles Wade, FNP-BC can help
Eczema is often a good fit for telehealth because much of what a clinician needs can be seen on camera and in photos. Before your visit, take a well-lit close-up and a wider photo of the worst areas in natural light, list the soaps and lotions you use and note when the flare started.
Charles Wade, FNP-BC will ask about triggers, sleep and allergies, review your skin and photos and talk through a plan. If a prescription is appropriate, it is sent to your Rochester-area pharmacy. A rash that is hard to see on camera, a possible infection that needs testing or eczema that needs light therapy may call for an in-person visit.
Lab work and imaging are ordered at a facility near you, and prescriptions go to the Rochester-area pharmacy you choose. See labs, imaging and pharmacies near Rochester. Insurance accepted in New York: BCBS / Anthem PPO, UnitedHealthcare PPO, UMR (PPO), Aetna PPO, Cigna PPO, Humana PPO, Ambetter PPO, Fidelis Care / Ambetter (NY Marketplace), TRICARE. Self-pay visits are also available.
When to get care right away
For trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a rapidly spreading, painful rash with fever, call 911 or go to Strong Memorial Hospital's emergency department, Rochester General Hospital or Highland Hospital.
Keep reading
- Why Does Eczema Get Worse in Winter? Triggers and What Helps: the full patient guide.
- Telehealth care in Rochester: local labs, imaging, pharmacies and visit planning.
- Dermatology at Wade’s Care First
- Telehealth care across New York
Sources
- National Weather Service Buffalo, New 1991-2020 Climate Normals (Buffalo, Rochester, Watertown)
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, annual/seasonal
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, hourly
- urmc.rochester.edu
- urmc.rochester.edu
- urmc.rochester.edu
- rochesterregional.org
- urmc.rochester.edu
- dfs.ny.gov
Local figures are the most recent published by the listed agencies as of November 12, 2026. This page does not replace advice from your own clinician.
