HOW TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SKIN DURING HOT AND HUMID WEATHER

The whole world's attention is fixated on COVID 19, so I believe it's okay for you to focus your attention on something else that is also important, maintaining a healthy skin in this hot and humid weather. This is one course you don't want to carry over. If I may ask,'won't you rather be looking your best at the COVID 19 EXTERMINATION PARTY?' It's certainly taking place anytime soon. Like I said earlier, the whole world has covid 19 in it's glare, so enjoy your break. 

Maintaining a healthy skin in a situation of epileptic power supply in the tropical heat is a daunting task,though doable.

KNOW YOUR SEASONS 

I'm sure you will agree with me that Nigerian hot weather knows no boundaries. Be it in the wet season  or dry season, at some points in the year we always get our abundant supply of sunshine. God bless my country Nigeria. 

Nigeria has a tropical climate with variable rainy and dry season, depending on your location, temperature and humidity remain relatively constant throughout the year in the South, while they vary considerably in the North. The dry season has a monthly maximum temperature of about 32-33  degree Celsius in both Lagos and Port Harcourt. In the North, the mean monthly maximum temperature could exceed 38 degree Celsius in the hot months of April and May. 

     

       Here are some of the skin problems that make some wish that summer never existed and at the same time, some solutions that's sure to make this your best summer ever.

HEAT RASHES

Heat rashes usually occur during hot and humid weathers. Heat rashes present as red bumps on the skin with prickly and itchy feel. Sometimes, one can experience burning sensations on the skin. It is also called Miliaria rubra. People at risk are infants, those who often exercise outside in the heat of the sun, the overweight or the obese and those that wear tight clothing in hot weather. It's always good to understand how heat rashes develop in order to know how to prevent or manage it as the case may be.

Heat rash is caused when sweat droplets are trapped in the skin as a result of blocked pores. This in turn leads to inflammation and itching around the sweat pores.

SOLUTION

Get out of the heat by seeking shelter in air conditioned centers or cool areas. As soon as you are home bath in cool water with a non drying soap, then air dry your body instead of using towel. Applying cold compress  can help soothe irritation. Using baby powder sometimes leads to worsening of heat rashes. Likewise, using creams and ointments tend to make the skin warm and they also further clogs the pores.

PREVENTION TIPS

• Make sure that your body is squeaky clean after bath, especially during the hot weather. Sponging twice helps in achieving this.
• Wear non tight fitting and breathable  clothing. Do not overdress. 
• Use prickly heat powder lightly because when used heavily could block the pores.
• Don't keep the skin powdered throughout the day, allow sometime for the skin to breath.
• If you are using cream or ointment, avoid hot environments.
• Likewise don't keep cream and ointment on your skin for too long, always wash them off thoroughly after sometimes.
• It has also been noted that taking a short course of corticosteroids, 5-7 days, taken before exposure to hot and humid weather also helps to prevent breakouts. 

DEHYDRATION

Dehydration in hot weather could be as a result of heat, excessive activity, insufficient fluid consumption or excessive sweating. It is not only your body but also your skin that bears the brunt of dehydration. Sweating continuously causes loss of fluid from the skin, and if care is not taken, this could cause dryness and irritation of the skin, both of which make the skin more prone to sunburn. An indication of dehydration of skin is that crack and dry patches appear on the lips.

SOLUTION

Apparently, drinking a lot of water does the magic. Go along with your water bottle any where you go. In fact take some sip of water every half an hour. Fruits of the season like water melon and pineapple are rich in water, so they help a lot, in that apart from hydrating they also help in skin rejuvenation because of the antioxidant activities.

   

ACNE

During hot weather conditions, sebum production is increased due to high humidity and heat. excess sebum which is oily together with sweat and dust clogs the pore paving way for acne causing bacteria.

 SOLUTION

MY HEALTHY SKIN CARE REGIME

This regime can also be yours for a healthy, flawless skin. All you need to do is to adopt most or all of the regime.

• Using lukewarm water and deep cleansing soap that suits your skin type, clean your face at least twice a day.
• Avoid regular soaps which leave soap suds on your face thereby clogging your pores. 
• Excessive use of scrubs and masks irritates the skin which worsens your acne. Apply mask or scrub only once or twice a week.
• Wear only light makeups. Avoid foundations and thick creams in hot and humid weather.
• Use alcohol free products. This prevents drying of the skin.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Don't pop your acne, you must resist the temptation.
•  Reduce sun exposure. Apply sunscreen at least SPF 30 twice a day

HYPERPIGMENTATION AND SUNBURN

The hot sun is so harsh that it can scorch your skin causing red patches and rashes that burn, this is sunburn. It happens to people with sensitive skin.

Hyperpigmentation is caused by over exposure to sun as well as other causes. It is the appearance of dark patches on the skin, on the forehead and other parts of the body. Hyperpigmentation could also be as a result of over production of melanin triggered by the sun. Melanine is a substance that gives the skin its color. There are other causes of hyper pigmentation not mentioned here.

SOLUTIONS

Reduce exposure to sun  and use sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. Avoid picking at the skin as much as possible. Picking at the skin leads to increased production of melanine which further darkens the skin.

Topical creams which include ingredient that lightens the skin such as azelaic acid, corticosteroid, hydroquinones, kojic acid, retinoids such as treetinoin, vitamin c, alpha hydroxy acid AHA, papaya has proven to be effective for hyperpigmentation. Although the use of these substances over a large surface area of skin or extensive or prolonged use is discouraged.

Cosmetic procedures such as laser therapy, chemical peels, microdermalabration are also commonly used but could be expensive. Home remedies are also widely used, the most commonly used are aloevera, licoria, green tea, lemon and baking powder.

OEDEMA

Oedema does not directly affects the skin. The amount of mails I get from clients complaining about swollen ankles prompted me to include it under this topic. It occurs as a result of dehydration during hot weather. In this case the ankle becomes swollen with fluid.

If the swelling is as a result of heat,  there are many natural ways you can help improve circulation and to return fluid to the blood vessels. This includes the following

1. Elevate your feet higher than your heart level for at least 20 minutes 3-4 times a day. 
2. Avoid heat as much as possible. Take shelter in air-conditioned centers such as malls and banks when you find that the weather is too hot. 
3. Try to stay active, as moving and using your legs may help move excess fluid back towards the heart. 
4. Drink a lot of water. It is necessary to take enough water especially when oedema is heat induced. Water helps to cool down the body as well as balances the kidney activities. 
5. Reduce salt in diet. This is because too much salt could further worsen the oedema by causing high water retention. 
6. Avoid being stationary for too long. Regularly take a walking break from activities that require you to be stationary for too long. 

PHARMACEUTICAL CARE FOR MOST OF YOUR SKIN PROBLEMS

In the case where you are not able to identify which skin problem you are having, it's always best to talk to a Pharmacist.

For heat rashes, a short course of corticosteroids for 5 - 7 days prior to exposure to hot weather could help reduce severity. Corticosteroids should not be used in children under the age 10 years and by pregnant women. As with all medication, it's always good to talk to your Pharmacist or a GP before starting any medication.

Calamine lotion has also proven helpful in soothing irritation from heat rashes.

A daily dose of antihistamines also help to reduce itching. It may also help you have a good night rest. Cetirizine, Loratadine are the non drowsy antihistamines that are useful when you need to be alert.

Applying corticosteroid cream also helps to soothes the rashes. These corticosteroids also come in combination with antifungals and antibacterial agents in different concentrations. Your Pharmacist or Dermatologist will be able to advise you on the best choice.