Summer-time is vacation time, leisure time, outing time, and at the same time, it’s the SKIN problem time.

Along with the fun of coconut water and cold drinks, summers gives you all sorts of vague sensations like burning and pricking, pain & discomfort more often supplemented by the appearance of mysterious bumps, lumps, cracking, crusting, oozing & swelling. No matter how best you try to take care of yourself, warm weather always plays the role of a villain in one’s life.

Let’s look at some of the common problems that occur in summers and some simple solutions to tackle them :

1. Heat rash or Miliaria Rubra (Prickly Heat)

   Is a rash of small red bumps caused by blockage of the sweat glands. It can be due to high fever, excessive sweating, or being over-bundled. Scratching of the same leads to bursting and releasing of the sweat which causes a prickly sensation.

   Remedies

   • Apply a tea bag dipped in chilled water on the affected area.
   • Apply a thick paste of gram flour mixed with rose water for 15 minutes, wash off with cold water.
   • Apply beaten up cool yogurt directly on the rashes. Let it dry then rinse it off with regular water.
   • Apply Fuller’s earth mixed with water, let it dry off for 15 minutes, and wash with cold water.

   Prevention

   • Take cool showers, wear lightweight cotton clothes.
   • Exercise outdoors when it is relatively cooler outside.
   • Keep your skin as dry as possible especially at folds.
   • Avoid harsh soaps & heavy creams during summer that might block sweat ducts.
   • Sleep in a ventilated room and wear loose clothing while sleeping.

2. Folliculitis

   When follicles (opening from where the hair grows called a follicle) get infected, you develop folliculitis. These hair follicles are tender and Itchy and look like pimples. It mostly occurs where there is more hair on the body like the scalp, face, armpits, chest, back, neck, thighs, and buttocks.

   Remedies

   • Bathe the affected areas with water boiled with Neem leaves twice a day.
   • One part of apple cider vinegar in two parts of normal water may be applied to the affected area with a clean cloth for quick relief.

   Prevention

   • Change your clothes frequently especially after outdoor activities.
   • Avoid swimming in water which has a high content of chlorine, it can irritate the skin and cause folliculitis.
   • Increase your water intake, wear soothing clothes.
   • After wax or shave use your own towel or ensure proper hygiene at a salon.
   • Avoid shaving over bumps; If you have to then change your razor blade every time, an electric razor can ease the situation.

3. Breakout of Acne

   The pores of your skin can be clogged in summers due to the mixing of bacteria and oils. This often means acne breakout especially if you have acne-prone skin.

   Remedies

   Make a smooth paste out of one spoon each of fuller’s earth and apple cider vinegar. Apply this over the affected area; leave it for 15 minutes then clean off with a warm, damp cloth. This mask draws out most of the impurities, will absorb oils, and make the skin soft, smooth, and clean.

   Prevention

   • Avoid wiping off your skin, gently pat dry instead with a soft cotton towel or handkerchief.
   • Use a glycolic face wash to keep the skin clean.
   • Don’t use oil-based moisturizers and makeup.
   • Don’t wear or use headbands, sweaty clothes, towels, and caps again.
   • Use non-comedogenic (recommended by dermatologists) products on your face, chest, neck, and back.

4. Body Odour

   Our body harbors bacteria in many of our body folds. The moisture as a result of excessive sweating mixes with these bacteria and produces hydrogen sulfide and fatty acids, giving rise to distinctive & offensive odor.

   Tips to decrease body odor:

   • Be regular with bath, increase frequency, use plain Talc.
   • The antifungal powder may be sprinkled on body folds after bath.
   • Coldwater soaks in the daytime are advisable.
   • Wear clean undergarments and socks daily.
   • Use perfumed deodorants, if you are not allergic to them.

5. Sticky & Oily Skin

   The heat of the summer and ultraviolet rays can make oily-skinned people suffer more. Drying out again and again with alcohol-based toners and harsh cleansers gives only temporary solutions. It dehydrates your skin further inducing your skin to produce more to compensate for water loss resulting in even oilier skin.

   Precautions

   • Avoid cleansers with the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate.
   • Avoid products that have mineral oil, petrolatum, and petroleum in it as they can suffocate your skin and clog your pores.

6. Dry & Irritated Skin

   Contrastingly, the hot and humid air can lead to dry and irritated skin. The biggest culprit is the air-conditioning. Moreover, spending time in the pool, water parks, and under the sun further dries your skin.

   Prevention

   • Apply sunscreen before going outdoors.
   • Shower immediately after getting out of the pool with fresh & clean water, use a mild cleanser to wash your skin.
   • Bathe with lukewarm rather than hot water.
   • Try and use fragrance-free moisturizers after shower and bath.

7. Sun Allergy

   One can develop itchy skin rashes & hives when under the sun for long.

   Some medications like doxycycline, ketoprofen also trigger Sun allergy. If you are allergic to Sun you may get extremely itchy, red, and scaly bumps on some or all your bare skin.

   Prevention

   You should avoid direct skin exposure to the sun. You can do this by using shades, wearing sun-protective clothes, and applying sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, and an SPF of 30 or more.

   Viral Infections like Chickenpox and measles occur more commonly in summers. Anyone with a high fever or rash must immediately contact a Dermatologist.

   Reactivation of cold sores is a common problem associated with rising temperatures. In summer months insects like mosquitoes, spiders, and ants all come out of their hiding places. Hence, getting an insect bite or sting during summer is pretty common. If the insect bite seems to be severe, consult your dermatologist.

8. Sun-tan

   The constant long term exposure to sun rays is the root cause behind skin tan, as a defense mechanism to strong light. However, a severe form of tan is the sun-burning which is quite uncomfortable. It involves itching, skin peeling, and redness.

   Remedy

   The use of sunscreen offers protection from the harmful UV rays preventing skin damage although it may not prevent suntan. Oral antioxidants and vitamin C can be of much help to prevent suntan. For additional protection, it’s suggested to wear light-colored clothing, sunglasses, hat or carry an umbrella.

   Prevention

   If you experience a sunburn, take a shower with cold water and use the over-the-counter (OTC) corticosteroid moisturizing cream to ease the fiery feeling. If you have blisters, fever, larger sunburns, swelling, and extreme pain, then you must consult a doctor immediately. You may need emergency care if you experience heatstroke, dehydration, or heat exhaustion.