Summer Skin Hazards and How to Avoid Them

Oh my, it's so hot these days! It feels like we can't even go out during the day, right? Since it's the holidays, we love to play outside, go on trips with friends, and go to the beach, but this harsh sun and hot environment are not very good for our skin. So today, let's talk about the little problems that can happen to our skin during this hot season and how to avoid them and stay healthy.

Let's first look at sunburns.

We've all had sunburns. We know how painful and uncomfortable they can be. But they're more than just a minor inconvenience. Constant sunburn can age your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer . The best thing to do is to limit your exposure to the sun as much as possible. The sun's rays are especially strong between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. , when it's at its strongest. Limit your outdoor activities and playtime during these hours. Also, follow these simple steps:

• Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas about 30 minutes before going outside. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30 .
• If you are going to be outside, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours . If you sweat or swim, you should reapply it even after that.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses .
• Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips.

Second, insect bites (Bug Bites)

Animals like mosquitoes, ants, and leeches can make our travels and playtimes boring. But with a few simple tricks, we can stay away from these annoying creatures.

How to protect yourself?

• Avoid going to places with bushes, woods, or tall grass. If you must go to such places, wear long pants and long sleeves . It's even better if you can tuck your pants into your socks.
• Avoid wearing bright colors and strong perfumes when going out. These things attract insects.
• If you are going to a forest, use an insect repellent . Products containing DEET or Picaridin provide longer protection. However, do not use these on children under 3 years of age .
• Products containing `Oil of lemon eucalyptus` also provide protection against mosquitoes. When using something like this, read and follow the instructions carefully.
• After walking outside, check your body for ticks and other creatures.

What do you do with a bite?

If you get bitten by an insect, seek treatment as soon as possible. Applying an ice pack or a cold cloth can help reduce swelling. To reduce itching, you can use calamine lotion, ask your doctor for a hydrocortisone cream, or take an antihistamine pill.

Allergies caused by poisonous plants

There are some plants in our gardens and jungles that can cause itching, redness, and blistering of the skin when they come into contact with the body. For example, plants like kahabilia. This reaction occurs when an oil-like substance in those plants comes into contact with our skin. The best thing to do is to identify these plants and stay away from them. Do not touch unknown plants. If you accidentally get such a plant on your body: 1. Immediately wash the area thoroughly with lukewarm water . 2. Wash your nails thoroughly.Otherwise, if you scratch, the oil can spread to other parts of your body. 3. Wash the clothes you were wearing in hot water . If you get a rash, try these things for relief:

• Place pieces of cloth soaked in cold water.
• Take a bath with lukewarm water using a bath product containing oatmeal. Or, add a cup of baking soda to a basin of water and take a bath with that water.
• Use `Calamine lotion`, `Hydrocortisone` cream, or an `Antihistamine` medicine.

Cuts and Scrapes

These can happen at any time of the year. But when we are playing outside and working in the garden, we are more likely to get scrapes and minor injuries. These are common when playing cricket or falling off a bicycle.

Here's how to treat a minor wound:

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lukewarm water.
• If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or tissue . This will usually stop the bleeding .
• If your wound is in a clean, dust-free area, you can leave it uncovered. Otherwise, cover it with a clean bandage and change it daily .
• As the wound heals, a scab will form. Do not try to break it. The scab will fall off on its own when the wound is completely healed.

Skin diseases, sunburn, sunscreen, SPF, bug bites, DEET, scratches, wounds, first aid, skin care, summer skin