Summer months are here, and this means excessive sweating and unbearable heat. This leads to various skin problems such as rashes, sunburn, tanning, etc. During the hot weather, the skin reacts to sweat, heat, etc and all of this leads to skin issues. People who spend long hours outdoors and wear tight clothing are prone to heat-related skin problems. Sweat plays a major role as it traps oil, dirt, dust, etc, and leads to breakouts. In addition to that, direct exposure to the sun leads to burns, pigmentation, etc as it damages the skin’s barrier. Those individuals who have sensitive skin experience worse symptoms.
Some of the common skin issues are:
1. Sunburn
One of the most common skin problems that is caused by the heat of the sun is sunburn. This is all because of prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Sunburn leads to red, painful, and peeling skin and is sensitive to touch. In extreme cases, it causes selling, blisters, etc. When there is a lot of sun exposure, it damages the skin cells and leads to premature aging, wrinkles, and, in extreme cases, skin cancer. People who have lighter skin tones are more prone to sunburn, but everybody is at risk. To protect your skin from sunburn, you should apply sunscreen with a broad spectrum of 30 or higher whenever going outside. Wearing hats or sunglasses also reduces sun damage.
2. Heat Rash
Heat rash, or prickly heat, is caused when sweat gets trapped under the skin due to blocked sweat glands. It leads to itchy, red, and inflamed bumps, usually on the neck, chest, back, etc. This condition is more common in hot and humid environments where sweating is more common. Heat rash occurs when the body produces more sweat than it can release. These rashes appear to be tingling and cause discomfort. In addition, wearing tight or synthetic clothing even worsens the condition more as it restricts air circulation. To prevent rashes, it is important to wear loose and breathable clothes, keep the skin dry and cool, and avoid excessive sweating. Calamine lotion and soothing powders are used to tackle this situation.
3. Fungal Infections
We all know that fungal infections grow in hot and humid weather, especially in areas like the groin, armpits, etc. Some of the common heat-related skin problems are ringworm, and yeast infection, etc which cause redness, itching, etc. Sweat and moisture create an ideal environment for fungi to grow and cause discomfort. When you wear tight clothing and do not dry out your skin completely, then it leads to fungal infections. These infections spread easily if proper care is not taken. Using antifungal powders and creams helps stop the infection from spreading and provides relief.
4. Acne
Heat causes the skin to produce more oil, which leads to pimples, breakouts, and clogged pores. Sweat mixes with bacteria and dirt, and then there is a risk of acne, whiteheads, blackheads, etc. If you are somebody with oily skin, then you are prone to heat-related acne, especially on the face, back, and chest. When excessive sweating is combined with pollution and humidity, it leads to inflammation. Many people experience more acne in summers because of sweating or wearing headgear. To control acne, the face should be washed twice a day with a gentle cleanser.
Thus, heat can cause several skin issues that need to be tackled by following a proper skin care routine that includes sunscreen, a gentle face cleanser, and keeping the skin clean.
