With the warmer weather comes lots of itching caused by irritated skin. We want to share some helpful skin health tips for both preventing and treating common skin rashes in summer:
Summer Skincare Tips
Acne as well as dry, irritated skin can become extra aggravated during the warmer months when you typically sweat more and are exposed to harsh sunlight for longer periods of time. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Stay hydrated and moisturize your body from the inside out.
- Use mild cleansers and avoid harsh body scrubs.
- Moisturize your entire body with a lightweight lotion– look for simple ingredient lists without fragrances that could irritate sensitive skin.
- Limit sun exposure and wear at least 30 SPF that is also water resistant.
- Combat dry skin by adding a humidifier to your home.
Common Skin Rashes in Summer
Sunburn
Prolonged sun exposure is one of the direct causes of skin cancer, so taking precautions to protect your skin is vital year-round, not just in the summer.
Prevention: Wear long sleeves, a hat that covers your ears, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen at least every 2 hours.
Treatment: Aloe vera gel can help soothe sunburnt skin, in addition to a cool compress. You can also take ibuprofen or aspirin to reduce swelling.
Heat Rash
Also referred to as prickly heat, heat rash is a common summer skin rash that causes tiny red bumps that can be both painful and itchy.
Prevention: Don’t stay in sweaty clothes for an extended amount of time, wear loose, flowy clothing, and clean your skin with a mild cleanser that won’t clog your pores.
Treatment: Find a cooler place preferably in front of a fan, put on dry, clean clothing, and apply a cold compress. Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can also help.
Swimmer’s Itch
Microscopic parasites in ponds, lakes, and the ocean are the culprits behind the burning, tingly, and very itchy bumps that can even turn into hives and welts.
Prevention: Rub yourself down with a clean, dry towel immediately after leaving the water.
Treatment: Use an anti-itch or corticosteroid cream, take an Epsom salt bath, or add baking soda and colloidal oatmeal to your bath.
Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac
The oils from these pesky plants cause weepy blisters, swelling, and itching that spreads easily and quickly. Hikers and gardeners are most likely to encounter these plants, as well as children playing outdoors.
Prevention: The best way to prevent poison ivy rash is to know what these plants look like and avoid them. Also, wear gloves when working outside, wash your hands thoroughly, refrain from touching your face, and remove clothing and shoes as soon as possible if exposed.
Treatment: At our local compounding pharmacy, we make a special Poison Ivy Bug Bite (PIBB) Gel that’s extremely effective in providing itching relief for common skin rashes in summer. This alcohol-based gel contains a steroid and local anesthetics to stop inflammation, reduce itching, and promote the drying out of the rash.
Other Seasonal Allergy Tips
- Keep your home’s air quality high by keeping doors and windows closed, installing an air purifier and HVAC filters, and removing outdoor shoes and clothing to not track allergens through the house.
- Shower immediately after spending time outside, as pollen can cling to your skin and hair. Indoor/outdoor pets should also be bathed frequently.
- Use a nasal rinse to clear blocked sinuses like a NetiPot or a homemade saline solution using iodized salt, baking soda, and distilled water.
- Take OTC products such as Benadryl especially at night so you can sleep peacefully without itching and scratching bug bites, poison ivy, etc.
- Get allergy relief through a natural supplement such as Aller-Shield, a formula of Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, zinc, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC), Quercetin, Bromelain and Nettle extract.
Reach out to our pharmacy team for more information about our PIBB gel and other products for common skin rashes in summer. We will do everything we can to help you stay healthy and safe this summer!
