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How to keep summer infections at bay

May 01, 2019 09:12 IST

Your sunscreen should contain mineral sun blocks like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide, says cosmetologist Dr Rinky Kapoor

How to keep summer infections at bay

Photograph*: Kind courtesy Devon Windsor/Instagram

With sun at its peak, the summer brings in with it all kinds of pesky problems such as prickly heat, acne, oily and sticky skin, uneven skin tone, sun allergies, tanning, sunburn, folliculitis and fungal infections. 

You should never ignore the summer skin care; if not treated on time, the effects of summer will stay with you a long time.

Acne breakouts if not treated in time can lead to scars on the face and body. Hyper-pigmentation can make the skin appear dark.

Sunburn and exposure to sun without protection can cause skin cancers and permanent damage to the skin.

Here are some tips to help you sail through summer.

Drink water

First and more, hydrate your body and skin.

Drink lots of water. Juices and soft drinks don't compensate for water.

Carry a bottle of mineral water with you wherever you go and take a sip every few minutes.

Drinking water also helps in case of sunburns because it cools the body from inside.

Sunscreen

The right clothes

Lip care

Facials

Hat and sunglasses

Home remedies to keep your skin healthy and glowing

Common skin problems and how to treat them

1. Prickly heat (Ghamori)

Itchy rash in covered body parts is a common summer problem. This happens due to blockage of sweat glands.

Prevention and treatment

2. Pimples and oily skin

Sebum and dirt block the pores of your skin causing pimples.

Prevention and treatment

3. Sun tan, sunburn and pigmentation 

Strong sun exposure can cause redness, peeling, sunburn, and pigmentation.

Prevention and treatment

4. Bacterial and fungal skin infections

Bacterial infections like boils and fungal infections are common during summer months.

Prevention and treatment

5. Unmanageable hair 

In heat, hair becomes static, dry, brittle and frizzy as the humidity and heat damages the cuticle (outer layer) of your hair.

Your scalp tends to get more sticky because of excessive sweating.

Prevention and treatment

Follow the simple tips given above and you will be able to enjoy a summer friendly skin for a long time.

Remember to see your dermatologist on time, if your problems do not resolve.

Dr Rinky Kapoor is cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon, The Esthetic Clinic, Mumbai.

*Image published for representational purposes only.

Dr Rinky Kapoor