Why does cold weather dry my skin out? Generally things dry out more slowly the colder it is, yet as soon as winter arrives my hands become so dry the skin splits.

Why is it that hairs tend to grow so much faster on moles than on normal skin?

Sometimes for strengthening my hair, I make herb mixes or use single herbs  that are perfectly drinkable, like camomile or black tea. Only I make them stronger and let them stand for at least 30 minutes. Once I wanted to be quick and brewed the stuff just before washing my hair. Afterwards as I poured some into the palm of my hand in order to use it, it almost burned me. I found this strange and took a sip - it was not at all too hot to drink, only too strong.

Why does the mouth have no problem with temperatures that are too hot for the hand? I can guess part of the answer: we're used to it. Children get lukewarm food, and then we gradually increase the temperature. OK but when I try to let my hands get used to hot water - maybe the palms would, but the backs become rough and red...

Our fingertips are very, very sensitive and can detect heat, cold, touch, pressure. Why is it then that when I use them to apply Deep Heat, Fiery Jack (and the like) they don't feel a thing? It can't be just thickness of skin, because I can apply it on other parts of the body with equally thick skin and I feel the burn very quickly.

Peter Finan, Haworth, West Yorkshire

Generally things dry out more slowly the colder it is, yet as soon as winter arrives my hands become so dry the skin splits.

Bernard Marie, Lille, France

Dogfish have a very abrasive skin, so much so that it is used to 'sandpaper' fine woods, e.g. violins.  The skin seems to have short & sharp projections facing back.  What advantage does this have for the dogfish, and why has no other fish or animal developed a similar skin?

I have been told that the substances in gravy react together and bind when they cool - it is not, apparenty just a case of a liquid turning to a solid. I would like to know why this happens, and even hopefully what molecules are involved. Thankyou xxx

If skin cleansers are used to strip the grease and oils from our skin, does that leave the pores wide open, so that dirt (or other face creams) can get in and block them?

I have also read (on here) that our natural skin oils slows bacterial growth, so cleaning would let the bacteria breed more readily?