Summer can be damaging to your precious skin. Some of the common skin ailments seen during the summer are acne getting aggravated, oily skin, a sun tan and a sun burned skin, prickly heat, body odour and fungal infections.
1. Acne
Several factors contribute to an outbreak like sweating due to the heat, your pores being open thanks to the high temperatures, and of course the dirt and oil on your hands from being outside. When you combine these three things, you have the perfect recipe for an acne outbreak.
How to fix: Be sure to wash your hands and face regularly to keep from transferring bacteria from your hands to your face and clogging your pores. You should also stay hydrated, as this can help to prevent the buildup of dirt and oil underneath the skin.
2. Sun tan
A suntan is actually the body’s defense mechanism against strong sunlight. But then sun-burning on the other hand in severe forms can be quite uncomfortable. It results in redness of the skin, skin peeling and sometimes itching.
How to fix: A sunscreen when applied, no matter how high the SPF is, will protect the skin from the detrimental effects of the UV rays, but not against a tan. Despite that, the use of a sunscreen is essential to prevent the damage of skin. The tanned effect on the skin should not deter you from the use of sunscreen. Intake of oral antioxidants and 1000mgs of Vitamin C daily will also help.
3. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a condition in which hair follicles become infected. Appearing as pimples, these infected follicles become itchy and sore to the touch.
How to fix: Applying a warm, wet cloth to the area can help relieve the symptoms and possibly drain the bumps. You can also use hydrocortisone creams to relieve the itching. For more immediate relief, you can purchase over-the-counter antibiotics to help the infection clear up.
4. Swimmer’s ear
When water gets trapped in your ear canal, you can develop an infection called swimmer’s ear.
How to fix: You can prevent this infection by keeping your ears dry. Wear ear plugs while swimming.
5. Melasma
Melasma is another skin condition brought on by overexposure of the sun. Melasma is the term for the brown or grey “sun spots” that appear on your face and neck. Melanin is responsible for protecting our skin from the sun, so when we get too much of it, melanin kicks into overdrive and floods certain areas, causing that area to appear darker.
How to fix: Melasma can easily be treated with a cream called hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a skin-bleaching agent that lightens the skin when applied routinely.
6. Prickly Heat
Do you ever get that prickly, itchy feeling when you’re hot and wearing tight clothes? This is called prickly heat and it occurs when your sweat glands are blocked for an extended period of time. The trapped sweat builds up and creates a rash along with small bumps. Eventually, the bumps will burst, giving way to locked in sweat and cause the prickly sensation.
How to fix: Wearing loose, breathable clothing can help you to completely avoid experiencing prickly heat. Minimizing your sweat can also help.
