How to prevent 8 common skin diseases in the hot summer sun
Skin sweats in a polluted environment with lots of dirt, you are prone to acne, prickly heat, melasma, inflammation or skin fungus.
Doctor Trinh Ngo Binh, Department of Dermatology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, concluded8 common skin diseases in hot summer weather and how to prevent and treat them.
Prickly heat
Prickly heat is benign and does not require treatment.
- Signs: Many small, itchy, uncomfortable pimples appear on the head, neck and shoulders. Heat rash has many forms such as crystalline, red, pus-filled, deep heat rash...
- How to handle:In most cases, heat rash clears up on its own within a few days. For severe heat rash, apply an ointment such as calamine lotion to the skin or see a dermatologist.
Acne
Acne is a common chronic sebaceous folliculitis.Often appears in puberty, hot season also easily causes acne. Acne often appears on the face, neck, shoulders, chest and back.
- Identification signs: closed comedones, open comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, cysts, nodules.
- How to handle:Keep skin dry.Limit makeup that clogs hair follicles.Do not squeeze pimples yourself.Reduce stress and eat a low-sugar, low-fat diet.Use medication as prescribed by your doctor depending on the severity of your acne.
|
Summer skin diseases you need to pay attention to. |
Athlete's foot infection
Athlete's foot is caused by superficial fungal hyphae and is commonly found in warm, moist conditions such as shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker rooms, and public shower floors. People with diabetes or weakened immune systems may also get athlete's foot.
- Signs: Red, scaly patches on the top of the foot or sole of the foot accompanied by itching, raised edges, blisters, round or arc shaped. Inflammation, discharge, and scales appear between the toes. Severe itching.
- Treatment: Use topical or oral antifungal medications.Keep feet dry.Avoid wearing closed shoes. Sprinkle antifungal powder on feet and shoes daily.Wear slippers when visiting swimming pools or public showers.
Skin fungus
Skin fungus, also known as ringworm, is caused by superficial fungal filaments. Depending on the body area, it has different names such as body fungus, scalp fungus, foot fungus, groin fungus.
- Signs: Red, scaly patches with itching, raised edges, blisters, round or arc shaped. Often intensely itchy.
- Treatment: Antifungal topical or oral medications.Keep your body dry.Do not share or wash with people with skin fungus.Do not wear tight or restrictive clothing.
Interstitial cystitis
Erythrasma is a chronic superficial infection of the skin folds and crevices caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum.
- Signs: Brown or pink patches, clear boundaries, thin scales, shallow cracks on the surface, mild or moderate itching. Common locations are armpits, groin, between toes, folds under the breasts, around the navel.
- Treatment: Use topical antibiotics.Keep the folds dry.
Pyoderma
Pyoderma is a localized skin infection caused by bacteria, usually staphylococcus or streptococcus. Depending on the clinical form, there are different manifestations such as folliculitis, furuncles, skin abscesses or impetigo.
- Signs: Erythematous papules and pustules in hair follicles. More severe cases cause multiple boils or skin abscesses, fever, fatigue, and pain and swelling at the site of the lesion.
Treatment: Oral and topical antibiotics.Take a bath.Limit sugary foods such as candy and soft drinks.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is an inflammation of the superficial part of the hair follicle. Favorable factors for folliculitis are hot and humid climate; shaving, plucking or waxing; people with diabetes, immunodeficiency.Folliculitis can be caused by bacteria (staphylococcus), fungi or demodex.
- Signs of recognition: Depending on the causative agent, there are different manifestations. Usually, there are erythematous papules and pustules in hair follicles, then crusting and peeling in areas with a lot of hair.
- Treatment: Use antibiotics, antifungals or demodex killers depending on the causative agent.Eliminate factors that favor folliculitis.
Melasma
Melasma often appears during pregnancy, using birth control pills or during menopause. Too much direct sunlight exposure can also cause melasma.
- Signs: Brown, tanned or blue, gray patches on the face, usually on both cheeks.
- Treatment: Avoid sunlight.Apply melasma cream or use laser as directed by your doctor.
To have healthy skin in the summer, Dr. Binh recommends youWash your face thoroughly with water and cleanser several times a day.Apply sunscreen or cover up carefully when exposed to sunlight.Drink lots of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.Apply moisturizer at night. Be proactive in cleaning blankets and pillows. People who sweat a lot should wear loose-fitting clothes made of sweat-absorbent fabric. If you have a serious skin condition, see a doctor for timely diagnosis and treatment.