Preventing Summer Rashes

Preventing Summer Rashes

/in /by

Summer is a season of fun and sun, but it can also be a time of uncomfortable rashes. With heat and humidity, our skin is more prone to irritation and inflammation. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent summer rashes from ruining your outdoor activities. 

In this article, we’ll explore the common causes of summer rashes and provide practical tips for keeping your skin healthy and rash-free all season.

What are Summer Rashes

Summer rashes refer to skin rashes or irritations that can occur during the summer months due to a variety of factors such as heat, humidity, sun exposure, and sweat. Some common types of summer rashes include heat rash (also known as prickly heat), sunburn, swimmer’s itch, and allergic reactions to plants like poison ivy or oak.

Heat rash is a typical summer rash that occurs when sweat ducts become blocked, causing small red bumps and itching. Sunburn is another common summer rash that occurs when the skin is exposed to too much sun, resulting in redness, pain, and sometimes blistering. Swimmer’s itch is a rash caused by parasites that live in certain bodies of water, while allergic reactions to plants like poison ivy can cause a red, itchy rash with bumps or blisters.

Causes of Summer Rashes

  • Heat and humidity: The combination of heat and humidity can cause sweat to become trapped under the skin, leading to heat rash or prickly heat.
  • Sun exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause sunburn and other types of skin rashes.
  • Swimming: Certain rashes, such as swimmers’ itch, can be caused by exposure to contaminated water while swimming or wading.
  • Allergic reactions: People can develop rashes from exposure to allergens like poison ivy, oak, and sumac or insect bites.
  • Friction: Friction from tight clothing or skin-to-skin contact can cause skin irritation and rashes, particularly in areas of the body that sweat.
  • Chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals in products like sunscreen, lotions, or insect repellents can cause skin irritation and rashes.
  • Pre-existing skin conditions: People with pre-existing skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may experience flare-ups during the summer months due to the factors listed above.

It’s important to note that anyone can develop a summer rash, regardless of age or activity level. If you suspect that you have a summer rash, it’s essential to take steps to cool and soothe the affected area and to seek medical attention if necessary.

Tips for Preventing Summer Rash

  • Stay calm: To prevent heat rash, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, and avoid overheating.
  • Protect your skin from the sun: To prevent sunburn and other types of sun-related rashes, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, wear protective clothing like hats and long-sleeved shirts, and avoid spending time in the sun during peak hours (usually 10am to 4pm).
  • Be mindful of water sources: To prevent swimmers’ itch, avoid swimming or wading in contaminated water and dry off as soon as possible after getting out of the water.
  • Avoid irritants: To prevent contact dermatitis (rashes caused by exposure to irritants), avoid contact with known irritants like poison ivy or harsh chemicals in products like insect repellent or sunscreen.
  • Keep your skin dry: To prevent fungal infections like ringworm, keep your skin clean and dry, especially in areas that tend to sweat, like the armpits, groin, and feet.
  • Stay hydrated: To keep your skin healthy and prevent dehydration, drink plenty of water and other hydrating fluids throughout the day.
  • Be mindful of pre-existing skin conditions: If you have pre-existing skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, talk to your doctor about how to manage these conditions during the summer months.

By following these tips, you can help prevent summer rashes and enjoy the season with healthy and comfortable skin.

Types of Summer Skin Conditions

Dry Skin

You would think dry skin would just be a winter thing right? Nope! Dry skin can affect you all throughout the year!

To help prevent dry skin in the summer:

  • Continue to moisturize with a non-scented cream after bathing daily.
  • Be sure to shower after swimming in chlorine pools or the ocean.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis occurs when some of your hair follicles become inflamed and infected. It can lead to itchy, tender acne-like bumps anywhere on the body that you have hair!

To help prevent folliculitis:

  • Be sure to shower and change out of sweaty, dirty clothes after exercising or being out and about in the heat for a long period of time.
  • Reach for loose-fitting, light clothes versus tight clothes whenever possible.

Melasma

Also known as “the mask of pregnancy”, the appearance of melasma often increases during the hotter, brighter months.

To help prevent melasma flares in the summer:

  • Rain or shine, wear sunscreen daily!
  • Be sure to seek shade and/or wear a wide-brimmed hat whenever you’re outside during the daytime hours.
  • Avoid getting too hot!

These are just a few of the common summer skin conditions you may notice this summer. Remember, if something pops up on your skin, be sure to call us to make an appointment! We’re here for you!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.