There are many medical conditions that come from the heat and the sun. Here are a few that may show up this summer, along with remedies to help.
Let's start with heat rash -- what is it and what should you do if you have it?
- What it looks like: Heat rash typically appears as small zit-like bumps on the back and chest or deep, painful, acne-like breakouts in more severe cases.
- How you get it: In hot, humid weather, excess sweating can clog pores and cause breakouts.
- How to treat it: Use an anti-itch cream with a combination of camphor and menthol. Sarna Original Lotion, calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream can help relieve discomfort. The rash will go away on its own without treatment once pores open up.
- Reasons to see a doctor: Seek medical attention if you’re still itching after a week or if the rash doesn’t go away on its own. A physician may prescribe a stronger cortisone cream or an anti-acne medication to exfoliate skin and open pores.
- Your best defense: Be mindful when you know you’re going to sweat. Skip heavy moisturizers; pick oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen; and wear loose-fitting clothing instead of sweat-trapping spandex.
People who are allergic to the sun or have acne need to exercise extra caution -- they’re at risk for photosensitivity.
- What photosensitivity looks like: A red, scaly, and extremely itchy allergic reaction sometimes accompanied by tiny water blisters
- Causes for Photosensitivity: Sun exposure triggers an allergic reaction to certain chemicals, like those found in some medications. Benzoyl peroxide, accutane and doxycycline are examples of chemicals or mdeications that may react with the sun.
- Reasons to see a doctor: Seek medical attention if symptoms don’t go away within a week. If so, you likely need a strong, prescription-strength cream (or for extreme cases, an oral steroid, like prednisone).
- Sun allergies, or solar induced uticaria, are diagnosed by allergists and should be treated separately from heat rash or photosensitivity.
- If you believe you may be at risk for photosensitivity, avoid sun exposure.
How to reduce perspiration that can cause heat rash:
- Cutting back on stimulants like caffeine may reduce perspiration.
- Apply antiperspirants at night when pores are unclogged. Use powder to reduce sweating for feet and chest. If all methods fail, Botox injections can reduce perspiration.
How to reduce body odor:
- Hydrotherapy: Shower at least once a day to wash away sweat and reduce the number of bacteria on your skin. Sweat by itself is virtually odorless. But when microscopic bacteria that live naturally on your skin mix with sweat, they multiply quickly and cause body odor.
- Use Antibacterial Soap: Choose an antibacterial bath soap. Washing thoroughly with an antibacterial soap bar will reduce bacteria and odor that comes with it.
- Towel Off Thoroughly: Once you've showered, be sure you dry yourself completely. Towel off and make sure you dry any areas where you sweat a lot. If your skin is dry, it's harder for bacteria that cause body odor to breed on it.
- Apply "Industrial Strength" Deodorants or Antiperspirants: Antiperspirants contain aluminum chloride, a chemical that reduces sweating, and also often contain a deodorant. Stronger deodorants and antiperspirants are available without a prescription. Apply the deodorant or antiperspirant twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
