5 Summer skin problems

March 18, 2013 10:07 PM | Skymet Weather Team

The long, hot, languid days of summer are great for the beach parties but they are not always so great for your skin. Your skin is always exposed to the weather and environment and naturally, the harsh climate can wreak havoc with it! It’s important for you to know what troubles to expect as the summer heats up and treat them before they’re a problem!

Malassezia Pityrosporum folliculitis or Adult Acne

This is a form of acne that causes bright red pimples on your forehead, along your hairline and chin, and on your back and chest. Younger people, such as teens and young adults, are the most prone to this condition. That’s because sweat, combined with oily teenage skin, puts them at particular risk. You are even more at risk if you have a history of allergies, hay fever, and asthma because of your skin’s immune system. Treatment and prevention for pityrosporum folliculitis is to shower as soon as possible after sweating, to try to avoid sweating, and to cleanse your skin with a medicated products that helps to control the pityrosporum yeast. Or go the natural way by eating by drinking a lot of water during the day and applying natural coolants on your skin, like aloe vera gel or sandalwood paste.

Staph folliculitis:

Again, you are at higher risk if you have a history of allergies because of your skin’s immune system, but staph folliculitis can happen to anyone. Regular unclean waxing or shaving causes the staph bacteria to spread from hair follicle to hair follicle thus big, painful, pus filled boils form on shaved skin, including legs, armpits, or the beard area. Once the folliculitis develops, you need to see a doctor immediately for diagnosis and possibly antibiotic treatment.

Self-tanner mishaps:

People with dry skin and age spots are at risk for developing alligator-like or leopard-looking skin when they use a self-tanner(a product when applied to the skin gives the appearance of a suntan). That’s because the tanner gets stuck in these thicker spots, making them darker than the rest of your skin. The fix is to exfoliate your skin before applying self-tanner. We have a better idea! All those foreign tourists out there.. ditch your sun-tanner and travel to India for a natural tan.

Rough scaly feet:

Older and sandal-wearing folks are particularly prone to thick, rough heels that will snag stockings and crack. The trick is exfoliation. Dip your feet into a bucket of salty, luke warm water every night, followed by a suitable foot cream to keep our skin exfoliated and super soft. You could even apply the foot cream and wear a pair of socks before you sleep, to let the cream get absorbed in your feet overnight.

Intertrigo:

Anyone who sweats and has skin folds can develop a red, often tender rash in the skin folds called ‘Intertrigo’. Diabetics are especially prone to Intertrigo. Treatment and prevention involves keeping the skin folds as dry as possible and treating the problem when it flares up. Have regular baths, use a medicated or a talcum powder and do some cardio and running to lose those extra kilos this summer to avoid those skin folds to form at all.

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