Shield Your Skin This Summer: Expert Reveals Top Dermatological Tips

Summer is here and with a vengeance. Apart from the simmering heat and the exhaustion, another problem the summer sun poses is of skin issues. Extreme heat and sun exposure causes a wide range of skin problems in people ranging from sunburns, eczema, etc. How to better combat these issues during the summer? Dr. Priyesh Mahender Singh, Specialist Dermatology and Cosmetology, Aster Clinic, offers his insight:

Summer season is a difficult time for the body as well as your skin. During summer, we invest more energy outside when UV radiation can cause occasional skin issues going from heat rashes to stubborn skin allergies.

What are some skin issues caused by sun exposure?

• Miliaria more commonly known as prickly heat rash is because of prolonged exposure to heat and blocked sweat glands from dirt and bacteria. Since the perspiration can't get out, it shows up as little, red sores and can surface anywhere on the body like the face, neck, chest and back.
• Suntan is because of steady UV exposure and is the body's defence mechanism against serious sun exposure in individuals with brown complexion types.
• Sunburn develops after delayed sun exposure without protection, is more common in light complexion types and increases the risk of skin malignant growth. Uncovered skin looks red, and peevish with tingling and stinging sensation and if serious, skin might blister and peel.
• Melasma is described by brown to dark earthy-coloured patches, generally on the face. The vast majority foster on cheeks, the scaffold of the nose, temple, jawline, or more on the upper lip.
• UV radiation can bring about Polymorphic light eruption prompting rash and tingling on the uncovered regions like face, hands and back.
• Bacterial and fungal folliculitis may appear or become exacerbated in summer because of increased sweating which paves the way to bacteria and fungus causing red, itchy, painful bumps. Acne can get aggravated.

What are its causes?

• Most of the causes of wrinkles, dryness, and age spots that cause premature ageing are caused by sunlight.
• Actinic cheilitis presents as diffuse or sketchy dryness of the lower lip because of persistent sun openness.
• Excessive exposure to UV radiation raises the risk of melanoma and non–melanoma skin cancers.
• Some Medications can cause photoallergic and phototoxic reactions. These include Psoralens, Doxycycline, Quinolones, Frusemide, Ketoprofen etc.

How to prevent this?

The guide to healthy and cheerful summer skin is to avoid the sun. Shield your skin from UV radiation by wearing sun-defensive garments with long sleeves and collars, wide-overflowed caps, and shades, and applying sunscreen that offers expansive range assurance, water opposition and an SPF of at least 30. Try to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out and rehash the application every 2 to 3 hours.

Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. Furthermore, 4 p.m. when the beams are extreme. Shower after being out in the sun and after swimming in seawater, and also avoid being out and unprotected during the hottest times of the day. Use an anti-bacterial soap or bath gel on the affected skin to soothe the irritation.