With glorious sunshine calling out to us, no one wants to spend summer days indoors. However, the more time you spend outdoors, the more likely you are to develop skin problems.
Exposure to things like sticky heat, sweltering sun as well as the increase of insects flying around, means that things like itchy rashes and sunburned skin can easily sideline the fun you're meant to be having.
Whether it's due to overheating during high temperatures, spending too long in the blistering sun or being exposed to dirty water in an effort to cool down, here are some of the most common skin problems caused by the heat and simple steps to prevent them.
Acne breakouts
When sweat mixes with the bacteria and oil on the skin, our pores can get clogged.
If your skin is acne-prone, clogged pores often mean acne breakouts will follow.
Here's what dermatologists recommend that we do to prevent acne:
- Blot sweat on your skin with a clean towel or cloth. Don't wipe as this can irritate your skin
- Wash sweaty clothes, headbands, towels and hats before wearing them again
- Use oil-free products on your face, neck, back and chest
Folliculitis
All the hair on your body grows out of an opening in the skin called a follicle. When these follicles get infected, you develop something known as folliculitis.
The infected hair follicles look like pimples and tend to be itchy and tender. To reduce your risk of this condition:
- Change out of tight workout clothes immediately after you finish your exercise routine and take a shower
- Avoid hot tubs and whirlpools if you're not sure of the acid or chlorine levels in the water
- Dress in light-weight, loose clothes in hot and humid weather
Prickly heat
Prickly heat or heat rashes are caused by blocked sweat glands, which prevents sweat from coming out. When the sweat can't come out, it builds up under your skin, causing rashes and tiny, itchy bumps to develop.
When these bumps burst and release sweat, it causes a prickly sensation on the skin.
The best bet to prevent prickly heat is to stop yourself from sweating profusely. Things you can do include:
- Wear light-weight, loose-fitting clothes made of cotton
- Exercise outdoors during the coolest parts of the day or do it indoors in air-conditioning
- Use fans, cool showers and AC to keep your skin cool
Swimmer's ear
Swimmer's ear develops when water gets trapped in your ear canal causing an infection. The best way to prevent this is to keep your ears dry.
Ways to do this are:
- Try to wear ear plugs when swimming
- Don't clean your ears with cotton swabs as this push earwax and dirt deeper into the canal and causes more irritation
Swimmer's itch
Another water-related skin condition, the swimmer's itch or clam digger's itch is a rash that appears after you wade or swim in lakes, oceans or other bodies of water.
This condition develops when parasites that might be present in the water burrow into your skin, causing tiny red spots to develop in areas that aren't covered by your swimwear.
Swimmer's itch often affect children as they tend to stay in shallow, warmer water.
-
Festival diseases you really don't want to catch as poo spreads serious illness
Here are precautions you can take to prevent swimmer's itch:
- Briskly rub skin with a towel after getting out of water. The parasites begin burrowing when the water on your skin starts evaporating while you're not in the shower
- Keep an eye out for signs warning of infested water and stay out of these bodies of water
Dry skin
-
Millions of adults regularly suffer symptoms of air pollution – while in their own homes
Many assume that dry skin is an issue for the winter. However, when the weather is hot and humid you can still develop dry, irritated skin.
The biggest reasons of dry or irritated skin in the summer are the sun, spending time in the pool or in air-conditioning. Here are some tips you can try to prevent it:
- Shower and shampoo as soon as you get out of the pool.
- Use mild soap or body wash and use warm rather than hot water to bathe yourself
- Apply sunscreen before going out
- Use fragrance-free moisturiser after every shower and bath within five minutes of finishing your bath. Make sure you carry this with your so you can use it as and when you feel your skin becoming dry
- Turn up the thermostat if the air conditioning makes your home too dry.
Source: Read Full Article
