Summer is when we spend more time outdoors and enjoy hiking, camping, swimming and family barbecues. However, increased time in the sun and more exposure to poison ivy, chlorinated water and various insects can wreak havoc on our skin, resulting in itchy (or even painful) rashes, bites and burns.
Fortunately, with a little vigilance and a few treatment tips, these skin problems don’t have to derail your summer plans. Our board-certified dermatologists are here to teach you how to prevent and treat common issues like:
- Sunburn
- Melasma
- Poison ivy and mosquito bites
- Heat rash and chlorine rash
Sunburn
Sun exposure is your skin’s #1 adversary and, if left unprotected, can result in changes to the skin from freckling and discoloration to sunburns and the more serious, skin cancer. Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon says, “Spending time in the sun during summer is inevitable and wearing and reapplying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30-50 every single day (not just on hot, sunny days), is your best defense against sunburns and other kinds of damage. I recommend at least a half-dollar amount of sunscreen for the face and neck and a shot glass full for the rest of the body.”
You can pair your high-quality sunscreen with additional sun protection measures, like choosing a chair under an umbrella at the pool or beach or seeking shade at family barbecues. If you regularly spend time at ball games or other outdoor events with no shade available, using a pop-up tent or camping chair with a sunshade will go a long way to prevent sunburn. Avoiding the sun in its peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., getting into the habit of wearing a hat every time you go out in the sun and choosing UPF clothing and swimwear with long sleeves will also help. Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist as well as Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon, adds, “For years, many people believed the myth that getting a little bit of a suntan (a “base tan”) was one of the best ways to prevent sunburn. That’s simply not true, and the facts are that any tan damages the skin’s DNA and is potentially harmful. Alternatively, one of the best ways to help your daily sunscreen prevent sunburn is to take a dietary pill called HELIOCARE Ultra Antioxidant Supplements, which uses a technology called Fernblock to protect against sun-related skin damage.”Â
If you do happen to get a sunburn, you should immediately take an NSAID like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or aspirin (not Tylenol) as this will reduce inflammation in the skin and can decrease the chances the burn will be severe. You can soothe it with an ice pack and aloe vera gel and apply FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm, a melt-free balm treatment that will help calm inflammation and heal skin. If you experience a severe sunburn or suspect sun poisoning, you may need to be seen in the emergency room if symptoms become severe or if you fear dehydration.
Melasma
Even if you don’t experience a sunburn, unprotected sun exposure can still damage the skin, and it happens much quicker than you’d expect. Dr. Joel Schlessinger elaborates, “The aging effects of the sun occur over time but the damage occurs quickly, taking just five to ten minutes of unprotected exposure to damage skin. Sun damage is also cumulative, so while it may take a while to present in the skin, it will eventually happen.”
UV exposure is responsible for 80% of sun damage like skin aging, including wrinkles and pigmentation such as melasma and dark spots. It can also happen anywhere, anytime—even when you are indoors—as UV rays can penetrate windows in your office, home or car. Thus, as with sunburn, your best anti-aging tool is wearing and reapplying a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day. For preventing melasma, a tinted sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is a great choice as melasma has been shown also to be triggered by visible light, which is blue light emitted from devices like smartphones and laptop screens.
When it comes to melasma, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but if you do deal with this type of discoloration, there are treatment options to try, including the prescription-only Obagi Nu-Derm System with 4% hydroquinone (available at Schlessinger MD or via telemedicine appointments with Dr. Joel Schlessinger) or over-the-counter Cyspera Pigment Correction System, which uses a novel ingredient called cysteamine to minimize brown patches and dark spots. The key to these topical treatments is consistency and patience as melasma treatments take some time to work.
There are also several advanced laser treatments we offer, like MOXI™ and HALO™ that are very effective at treating melasma. Many patients find it takes a few of these laser sessions to reveal the best results.Â
Poison ivy and mosquito bites
Poisonous plants like poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac and swarms of biting insects, like mosquitos, can wreck a perfectly nice hike or camping trip if you encounter them. Poisonous plants are part of the Anacardiaceae family and contain an oily sap called urushiol, which is what causes irritation and rashes when skin brushes up against a bruised or broken piece of leaf or plant stem.
If you spend a lot of time in wooded areas, knowing how to spot poisonous plants so you can steer clear of them, wearing long pants and utilizing bug deterrent sprays can help prevent the itchy bites and rashes. Since the poisonous sap can be transported from clothes to the skin, it’s a good idea to shower and change clothes afterward.
If you happen to get a poisonous plant rash or become infected by itchy mosquito bites, apply FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm to the affected area up to four times a day. If poison ivy is truly making you miserable, it may need something stronger like systemic steroids or antihistamines, but the 1% hydrocortisone will heal the irritation and soothe itchiness while shea and cocoa butters will help the skin remain properly moisturized and comfortable. The best part is that it’s a balm formulation so it’s much easier to apply than a cream and can fit in your pocket or purse easily.
Heat rash and chlorine rash
Heat rash, often called prickly heat, is another common skin ailment during summer. Dr. Daniel Schlessinger explains, “Heat rash happens when sweat glands are blocked, causing sweat to build up under the skin causing tiny, itchy bumps. These bumps can burst and when they do, it feels like a prickly sensation on the skin.”
An easy way to prevent heat rash is to reduce the amount of sweating you do in the outdoors during peak heat. However, if you work outside or need to spend time outdoors for sports or other activities in the summer, this isn’t always feasible. Wearing loose-fitting clothing that wicks away moisture from the skin, like cotton, can help prevent heat rash when you must be outside. Additionally, planning outdoor activities early in the morning or at night when the temperatures come down can help.
Chlorine rash occurs when skin becomes irritated from contact with chlorine, primarily from swimming in overly chlorinated pools or hot tubs. A chlorine rash often looks like a red, hive-like rash that can be itchy, burning or inflamed and can develop sores or blisters, cracks or bleeding. While not everyone will develop a chlorine rash, repeated exposure to the chemical may increase your chances of developing it. Chlorine rash is different from swimmer’s itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, as that is an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites found in bodies of water.
To prevent chlorine rash, limiting time spent in chlorinated water, removing swimsuits and rinsing immediately after swimming can help with prevention. If you experience chlorine rash, you can apply FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm to the affected areas to heal inflammation and soothe itchiness.
When is it time to call us? If you experience any rash that is accompanied by oozing blisters, isn’t responding to over-the-counter treatments, is very painful or is accompanied by a fever or chills, you should be evaluated. You can schedule an appointment with Drs. Joel or Daniel Schlessinger or one of our PAs by visiting our appointment page and booking conveniently online.