SUMMER DISEASES ON OUR SKIN
As we approach the end of the summer season, the heat continues at full speed. Although the summer season offers the opportunity to rest and relieve winter fatigue for most of us, it can also mean troubled days for some people. Because although we do not experience colds or flu in this season, we encounter some skin diseases with increasing frequency in the summer season compared to the past. Especially fair-skinned people are more affected by these skin problems. Because our understanding of vacation is very different today than it was a hundred years ago: our great-grandmothers wouldn’t even think of going on a sea vacation to the south and west coasts in summer! In coastal settlements, when swimming in the sea on very hot days, people would go into the water with their skins invisible. A white skin was a symbol of privilege in those years! However, workers who had to work in the open air all the time would get dark.
After the invention of the swimwear called BIKINI in the mid-1940s, habits began to change rapidly. After the 1950s, tanned skin became a symbol of health and attractiveness. People began to spend more time in the sun. Meanwhile, the ozone layer was also depleted, and the sun’s harmful UV rays began to reach the earth in increasingly intense doses. The result: more and more people started to see a doctor because of the skin problems they experienced during the summer season. Let’s take a look at the situations we may encounter and the measures we can take so that these problems do not spoil us in the summer:
SUN ALLERGY:
There are two main types of sun allergy:
Polymorphous light dermatosis is the most common type. In this disease, the causative agent is hypersensitivity to UV light. In the last days of spring, before the holiday season starts, when we start to wear short-sleeved and open-collared clothes, the rash appears within 3-4 days following the first contact with the sun of the body parts that were not exposed to the sun before. Generally, rashes in the form of severe itching, redness and swelling occur on the lower parts of the arms, neck, décolleté, below the knees of the legs and on the upper faces of the feet. If not taken under control, these rashes will continue for 2-3 months and disappear on their own towards the end of summer. They tend to recur at the same time each year. We use sunscreens, anti-itch lotions and antihistamines in its treatment. When those who have experienced this allergy before, apply to the doctor before their complaints start during the season, measures to make this period more comfortable are recommended.
Photoallergic reactions : Oral medications such as some antibiotics, some diabetes drugs, diuretics and some antidepressants, skin contact of parsley, citrus fruits, fig milk, cruciferous and some meadow plants, some essences and chemicals used in some cosmetics, lotions and perfumes then it can trigger sun allergy. Reactions that occur 4-6 hours after exposure to the sun are usually temporary and do not tend to recur. Itching relief measures are sufficient. Allergies that occur in 24-48 hours are thought to be due to the previous sensitization of the body. Since these tend to recur, the triggering factor should be found and they should be avoided.
MAJORCA ACNE: It is especially seen in adult women with oily skin. It manifests itself as small red bumps on the neck, décolleté, shoulders and arms shortly after exposure to UVA rays. It is thought that especially the oil and chemical products in sunscreens used on the beach are triggered. It heals on its own in the fall. Preferring non-oily gel-style sun products suitable for the skin type will reduce the risk of this problem.
SUNBURN : It is a natural skin reaction that occurs with long-term unprotected exposure to intense sunlight. It manifests itself with skin redness, soreness, swelling and pain 4-8 hours after sun exposure. In advanced cases, water collection occurs on the skin. It usually reaches its most severe level on the 2nd day. We usually come across such cases on Tuesdays-Wednesdays in people who go to the sea for the weekend. In order to avoid sunburn, it is essential not to sit in the sun between 11-16:00 when the rays are strongest, to reapply sunscreen creams and lotions suitable for the skin type at frequent intervals, after each going in and out of the water, and not to neglect physical protection measures such as light-colored clothing, hats and glasses. are measures. We should not forget that even if the pain goes away in a few days, sunburn is one of the most important risk factors that increase the risk of skin aging and skin cancer in the long run. Having sunburn more than 5 times in a lifetime doubles the risk of skin cancer. It should be noted that the most dangerous type of skin cancer, called melanoma, occurs as a result of short-term intense sun exposure, such as severe sunburn. Especially in childhood, a single severe sunburn in the form of the development of water-filled blisters increases the risk of developing skin cancer throughout life.
HERPES SIMPLEX=SIMPLE HELPERS: Lip herpes, which is a viral disease, is found in the body in a dormant state in the nerve roots. In cases where the body’s immune system is weakened, the herpes microbe becomes active. In addition to factors such as fever, fatigue, and stress, the sun’s UV rays also suppress our immune system. That’s why people who have Herpes virus in their body before, usually have cold lips within hours after sunbathing on the first day of their vacation. In order not to experience such unpleasantness, it will be useful to take a protective dose of herpes medicine 24 hours before going out in the sun.
RASH: It is one of the most common diseases in summer. It occurs when the mouth of the sweat glands is blocked due to overproduction. Sweat particles accumulating under the pores irritate the tissue and cause rash and itching. It is most commonly seen in infants, overweight people, and those who work in hot and humid environments. It mostly manifests itself as small red blisters on the neck, armpits and groin, on the inner face of the knees and elbows, under the breasts and on the waist belt line. It can cause severe itching. In the treatment, first of all, the person with the rash should be kept in a cool environment. It is helpful to take a refreshing warm shower. In itchy cases, refreshing, menthol lotions are recommended. If these are not sufficient, a doctor should be consulted.
FUNGUS DISEASES: Fungal disease can be seen on the entire skin surface. They are superficial skin infections caused by microorganisms called dermatophytes or candida. They are more common in hot and humid areas of the skin, especially in the armpits, groin, and between the toes. Increased sweating in the summer, being inactive, not drying the body well after swimming in the sea and swimming pool, and staying in a wet swimsuit cause us to encounter this disease more frequently in the summer. Hygiene and care in general are important to stay away from this disease. Since fungi are contagious, personal items such as clothes, swimwear, towels, hair brushes should not be shared with people who are in the risk group or who have had a fungus. Fungal disease heals quickly with creams, sprays or oral medications given by the doctor. It is very important to keep the body dry and cool in order to prevent the disease from recurring, and to dry well after bathing, sea and pool.
