Summer Skin Problems and Remedies - Lifestyle and Beauty Fashion

SUMMER SKIN PROBLEMS AND REMEDIES

Common skin issues which are seen in summers and how to we try to effectively manage them at home. The commonest skin issue that is seen during summers is prickly heat. Which is also commonly known as the heat rash. Prickly heat or heat rash happens when sweat glands of the skin get blocked. It is usually seen as tiny red bumps on the skin or bubble like appearance on the surface of the skin. It is commonly seen in those parts of the body which are covered with clothes that is the chest the arms and maybe the upper parts of the thigh and the legs if people are wearing full trousers. The face, neck, hand and feet are usually spared in prickly heat. There is a lot of itching associated with the prickly heat. Now how do we manage prickly heat if we get it, at home. The most important thing in prickly heat is to try and wear loose clothing which is made of cotton or linen or any other similar breathable fabric. Try and avoid using a very greasy moisturiser on the surface of the skin. You could use a gentle light moisturiser. Maybe a moisturiser that contains aloevera and preferably with some amount of vitamin C added on to the moisturiser. It is advisable to try and stay in a cool environment. Stay in a room with fans so that there is cool air circulating in the room on in an air conditioned environment to cool down the temperature in the room. It is also advisable to use a lot of... consume lots of fruits which are rich in vitamin C particularly the citrus fruits like orange kiwis and grapes. If in spite of taking all the precautions one stills develops a prickly heat you could use a light calamine containing lotion to soothe down your skin. If the prickly heat persists for more than three days it is advisable to consult your dermatologist for further medical treatment. Another common problem that we see a lot in summers in dermatology OPD is fungal infections or what are commonly known as yeast infections. Fungal infections are very common in the body folds. They are very common in the groin area. Very common in between the toes of the feet and very common between the fingers of the hand as well. In women another common area of getting a yeast infection is just below the breast where the breast tissue overhangs the abdominal wall. Fungal infections usually happen due to retention of moisture in the body folds and sweat works as the perfect environment for overgrowth of yeast in these body folds. The most important precaution to be taken in case of fungal infection is to keep the area dry. As in after you have taken a bath and before you put on your clothing. Try and take a soft cotton towel and dab the area completely dry so that there is no remanence of moisture in the area. It is advisable to wear loose cotton clothing or linen fabric so that skin gets a chance to breathe. If in spite of taking these precautions you get a fungal infection there are some anti fungal dusting powders which are available over the counter and one could try these anti fungal dusting powder for short term use. If however the itching persists, the redness persists and the rash persists in spite of using the anti fungal dusting powders it is advisable to consult a dermatologist who will give you a prescription for either anti fungal cream to be applied or in severe cases you may be given prescription of anti fungal tablets to be consumed orally. The third most common problem that I see in my daily outpatient practice is what we call polymorphous light eruption what in normal terminology is also known as allergy to sun light. Although it is called allergy to sunlight it is not really allergy to sunlight it is allergy to ultraviolet radiation. This typically is seen in the last weeks February, March and maybe early few weeks of April as well. This usually happens because there is a sudden increase in UV intake from winters to the spring season. And there is sudden high dose exposure to UV light in the atmosphere. It appears as slight redness or slight bumpiness of the skin usually in the parts of the body which are exposed to the sunlight usually in the arms and the commonest area to be affected in the arms are the outer aspects of the arm. The inner aspects of the arms which are relatively UV protected are usually not effected by this polymorphous light eruption. The ears could also be affected by this rash. The most important thing to be done in the case of polymorphous light eruption is to use a sunscreen. Preferably a sunscreen with a SPF 30 or more, a broad spectrum sunscreen and try to use loose cotton or linen fabrics. It is worthwhile wearing full sleeve shirts or t-shirts of closely woven linen fabric to reduce the amount of UV exposure of the skin. If in spite of using these precautions the rash does not settle down and continues to bother you it is worthwhile seeing your physician. You may be given a mild prescription of a topical steroid cream to heal the rash completely. None of the these rash fortunately leave any permanent sequelae or any permanent scars and they are very easily treatable...