With temperatures getting warmer with each passing day, most people are looking forward to making the most of the sun. However, increased temperatures can also lead to problems with the skin for many, with summer skin irritation occurring more regularly due to the warmer weather.
There are various reasons that can cause our skin to flare up in the summer months, and not all of them are necessarily due to preexisting conditions.
Nada Ward, the founder of solid soap bar brand, Beauty Kin, has outlined the most common causes of summer skin irritation and has provided advice and guidance on how to help resolve and treat them.
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According to Nada, summer is the best time of the year for most of us, however, the warmer temperatures and powerful sun rays can cause mayhem for those with particularly sensitive skin. “This can not only lead to physical complications but can also cause feelings of self-consciousness and low self-esteem. We all want to be able to enjoy the sun (while it lasts) without feeling the constant need to cover up inflamed, itchy, or sore skin patches.
Causes of Summer Skin Irritation and How to Tackle It
There are various different causes of skin flare-ups that become more prevalent in the summer. Below, Nada has outlined some of the most common causes and provided some tips on how to best keep summer skin irritation at bay while you enjoy the sun.
Heat rash
Heat rash is also commonly known as ‘prickly heat’ and is a red and sometimes prickly rash that flares up in hot weather. It is caused by sweat ducts being blocked as a result of high temperatures, leading to a rash developing on areas of the body where sweat collects such as the crooks of knees and elbows, the neck, groin, and armpits.
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Sun rash
Differing from heat rash, sun rash can develop in some people due to direct exposure to sunlight. Essentially, this is a skin allergy to direct sun exposure, with the most common type being polymorphic light eruption, commonly referred to as sun poisoning. This can be a hereditary condition in some people, but can also occur due to preexposure to certain triggers, such as certain fragrances, dyes, or plants such as limes.
If you do suffer from any type of sun rash or allergy, it’s best to avoid sitting out in direct sunlight during the hottest times of the day. Or if you are going to, wear factor 50 SPF for maximum protection, and loose-fitting clothing so that less of your skin is exposed to the sun. If you have noticed some degree of skin irritation following contact with limes in the past, ensure you are avoiding any contact with this particular fruit before basking in the sun.
Hives
Hives are an itchy, sometimes painful, red rash that becomes raised on the skin. There are various different causes of this painful rash, with breakouts becoming more common during the summer months. Physical causes of hives include direct exposure to sunlight, high body temperature, hot weather, and pressure from tight clothing or belts. Breakouts can often occur due to an allergic reaction and can even be caused by pollen allergies in extreme cases.
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Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes the skin to become dry, cracked, itchy, and painful in extreme cases. People who suffer from Eczema are no stranger to the fact that warmer weather is going to exacerbate their symptoms.
Environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures can cause Eczema flare-ups. This means both hot and cold weather can lead to increased symptoms. Experts highlight that summer skin irritation is specifically caused by an increase in sweat, as the salts found in your sweat can be particularly irritating to broken or inflamed skin.
How You Can Avoid Summer Skin Flare-Ups
1. Keeping cool and hydrated
A common feature of a lot of these various types of summer skin flare-ups is that they are triggered by the extreme heat. It’s important that if you are going to sit out in the direct sun, you need to ensure that you’re keeping yourself as cool and hydrated as possible. By doing this, you can avoid sweating as much as possible, which avoids breakouts in the areas of the body that are prone to gathering moisture such as the armpits, necks, and crooks of your elbows and knees.
Take the time to drink plenty of water throughout the day and if you are feeling too warm at any point, take yourself out of the direct sunlight and find some shade. I’d also recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing to give your skin room to breathe when temperatures are high.
2. Choosing the correct sunscreen
Of course, we all love to get a tan when the sun makes an appearance; however, I am a huge advocate for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, and always suggest wearing a high-strength SPF sunscreen. For summer Eczema sufferers, I recommend using a mineral sunscreen lotion. Products that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are best for Eczema prone skin. Alternative chemical blockers often found in other types of sunscreen have been found to cause irritation and flare-ups for Eczema sufferers. Always read the labels on your sunscreen and actively choose products that are designed for sensitive skin and are alcohol-free.
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3. Moisturise
Keeping your skin well moisturized and well nourished is vital all year round, not just in summer. Keeping the skin from getting dry and cracking in hot weather is vital for keeping summer skin irritation at bay. For Eczema sufferers, in particular, experts recommend opting for moisturizers that are high in oil content or mineral oil as it is particularly effective for helping soothe the skin. Try to avoid potentially irritating fragrances in your moisturizer and choose a fragrance-free product.
4. Keep your skin clean
This may seem obvious, but to keep troublesome summer skin irritation at bay and allow you to enjoy your summer fun, keeping the skin clean is a must. Shower regularly and keep your skin clean. And remember, showers don’t always need to be piping hot! If you are feeling overly warm in extreme temperatures, a lukewarm or even cold shower can not only be refreshing but is also much kinder to the skin.
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