Does Your Skin Trouble You in Summers?
As the heat kicks in, following a goodsummer skin care regime is an absolute must.A few hours spent sunbathing at the beach can turn into a rash nightmare for you. Depending on how sensitive your skin is, you may be left with ugly red bumps, pus filled boils or unsightly marks. Let’s look at the most common skin problems that you may face this summer and how you can best handle them.
- Heat Rash
What is the cause?
Heat rash – commonly called prickly heat – is one of the most common summer skin problems. When you sweat excessively, your sweat glands sometimes get blocked by dirt and grime. This causes the sweat to build up underneath and leave light bumps on your skin. When the bumps finally burst, we feel a prickly sensation as the sweat escapes.
What can I do about it?
Dressing comfortably is an important part of your summer skin care regime. Wear loose cotton clothes; stay away from tightly fastened belts and skinny jeans. Try not to scratch the affected areas often as this may leave a mark. Skip your regular talcum powder in favour of a medicated prickly heat powder to deal with the itching.
- Acne
What is the cause?
Excessive sweat mixed with the natural oils and microflora of your skin can often block your pores. Blocked pores on your face, upper arms, and back are most prone to acne. Acne can be pus filled boils or occur in the form of blackheads and whiteheads.
What can I do about It?
Switch to water based skin products. This includes your moisturiser, face wash and body wash. Invest in alcohol-free after shave products and astringents to close your pores. Never re-use sweaty clothes, including headbands, until you’ve washed them. Diet plays a crucial role in acne control and prevention. In the summers, keep your intake of sugar and carbs to the bare minimum.If your acne is severe, consult a doctor immediately.
- Sunburn
What is the cause?
Sunburn is a type of radiation burn caused due to overexposure of your skin to UV radiation. Symptoms include reddish skin, slight dizziness, mild to severe headache, and dehydration. Your face, chest, upper arms and feet are the most affected areas. Sunburn is one of the most common summer skin problems faced by teenagers.
What can I do about it?
Sunburn should never be taken lightly; in extreme cases, it can lead to skin cancer. Avoid going out in the sun for long periods between noon and 4pm. If you absolutely need to be outside, protect your skin with sunscreen and wear a cap or carry a parasol. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Drink lots of water and juice to maintain your body sugar levels. If you do get sunburned, immediately apply a cold lotion or a wet cloth to the affected area.
- Folliculitis
What is the cause?
Folliculitis is the swelling of hair follicles. During summer, our hair follicles – the tiny sac from which hair grows - are very sensitive. Any trigger such as tight clothing, shaving and itching can cause these follicles to swell up into red boils. Folliculitis commonly occurs on the back, buttocks, and legs.
What can I do about it?
Mild folliculitis heals on its own. If you develop the boils on your chin or head switch to a medicated shampoo or facewash. Never shave over a boil on your skin. If you use a public sauna or hot tub, take a bath with anti-bacterial soap as soon as you get home. If mild fever accompanies your folliculitis consult your doctor immediately.
- Athlete’s Foot
What is the cause?
If you love to spend most of your day in sneakers or closed shoes, chances are you might develop this infection. Athlete’s Foot is a fungal skin infection that occurs between the toes. It appears as dry or cracked skin and in some cases, it develops into painful fissures. Most people contract Athlete’s foot by walking barefoot in gym or pool locker rooms where infected skin is shed. The warm, moist environment of your sports shoe allows the fungus to grow between your toes and in your nails.
What can I do about it?
The first step is to ensure foot hygiene. Once you’re done with your workout or swim, shower and immediately slip on your footwear. Make sure you use an anti-bacterial soap and dry the areas between your toes properly. Never go barefoot into public bathrooms. Skip closed footwear in summer as much as you can. For severe cases of Athlete’s Foot – in which the infection spreads to the nail – anti-fungal tablets are prescribed.
Any skin infection that persists for too long – for more than a week – should be shown to a specialist immediately. Homeopathy has proven very effective for long term results. For instance, homeopathic treatment for acne is one of the most effective methods of controlling this skin condition. Homeopathy helps safely treat different skin conditions by activating your body’s natural healing mechanism. Get in touch with your doctor today so you enjoy your summer holidays with fabulous, glowing skin.
