We look forward to the sun and fun that summer offers, but it can feel like a mixed blessing if rising temps and humidity make your chronic skin condition flare or worsen. Unfortunately, many people experience symptom flares in the summer, but the good news is that you can take steps to minimize them.
Dr. Mingliarti Tjahjana has extensive experience treating skin conditions, making her expertise sought after year-round — especially through the skin-affecting summer. Along with our One Health Medical Care team, Dr. Tjahjana can help you treat and eliminate the irritation, flaking, itching, bumps, and other skin challenges that summer seems to ignite.
Heat, sticky humidity, and increased sun exposure are a recipe for worsening symptoms of certain skin conditions, but you don’t have to feel resigned to these problems if you happen to be affected. We can help.
Let’s look at common skin conditions that tend to become more problematic during the summertime.
You perspire more in summer, and when sweat comes into contact with skin oils and bacteria, clogged pores and acne breakouts can occur.
To lower the likelihood you’ll break out, gently blot irritating sweat from your face with a clean towel or washcloth. Don’t wipe it, which makes it likely that the perspiration will meet with the oil on your face — and infection-causing bacteria.
It’s also important to thoroughly wash any sweaty clothes, headbands, or towels after every use. This is also a good time to commit to using oil-free (non-comedogenic) skin products that won’t clog your pores.
If you’re one of the over 31 million Americans living with this inflammatory skin condition, we know you’re not thrilled with the itchy, dry patches it causes. Many sufferers feel embarrassed when people can see their eczema patches, and their self-confidence takes a hit.
Unfortunately, eczema compromises your skin’s protective barrier. When hot, humid weather arrives, your skin becomes even more irritated and inflamed than usual, and sweating-related dehydration can readily set you up for an eczema symptom flare.
Ease summer eczema symptoms by taking brief lukewarm showers and moisturizing right after bathing with gentle, fragrance-free skin products. Using a mineral-based sunscreen when you head outdoors, as opposed to one that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
It’s also helpful to wear natural, breathable fibers like cotton and wash your clothing with fragrance- and dye-free laundry detergent.
Interestingly, chlorine or salt water help improve eczema for some people. If you find that your symptoms abate when you swim, go all in. Keep in mind, though, that your skin may have the opposite reaction; you just have to see how your eczema reacts to salt or chlorine.
Dr. Tjahjana may also advise that you take allergy medication or she might prescribe topical corticosteroids. Oral medications are another option. They help quiet your immune system and reduce skin inflammation.
Heat can cause a flare of rosacea symptoms, which include redness, pimple-like bumps, and prominent facial blood vessels. Because summer’s higher temperatures make your blood vessels dilate, skin redness can peak, and a flare will intensify if you’re exposed to heat or the sun’s intense rays.
To avoid rosacea problems in the summer, try to spend time outside during the cooler parts of the day, either early morning or around dusk, when the air is cooler and the sun is less intense.
If you are outside during the brightest, hottest time of day, protect your skin by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that contains titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both (whichever is least irritating for your skin). Wearing a wide-brimmed hat that gives you lots of coverage is also protective.
Unfortunately, fungal infections are easiest to acquire when you’re in a warm, moist environment — which pretty much describes summer. Think locker rooms, pool areas, and gyms.
Jock itch, ringworm, yeast infections, and athlete’s foot are all fungal infections that can pop up more readily in the summer. You can lower your risk of these infections by wearing flip flops in communal and shower areas, changing out of a wet bathing suit promptly, and using antifungal powders when needed.
With smart self-care, you can head off summer skin problems. If you do find yourself needing treatment for a flare-up of a chronic skin condition or an unexpected fungal infection, count on One Health Medical Care for prompt, personalized care.
Contact our Reston, Virginia, office at 571-572-9198 to schedule a visit with Dr. Tjahjana today, or book an appointment online at your convenience.
