Skin Infection in Summer- How to tackle them?

Summers bring up the warm/hot weather months of the year. It is the season that comes with many outdoor activities like swimming. Summertime may be a favorite for people. However, the summers may also bring along unwelcomed skin concerns. The summer season may be a hub for skin problems like sunburns, heat rashes, or bacterial and fungal infections. Such skin issues may mar the summertime enjoyment of the people and even impact their aesthetic looks.  

 

In this blog post, the most common summer skin infections are discussed along with their causes and remedies by Dr. Monica Chahar, Skin Doctor in Dwarka at Skin Decor. Skin redness, blisters, itching, soreness, rash, or skin peeling on any body site can be the result of any of the below-mentioned summer skin infections.

 

1. Swimmer’s itch or Cercarial dermatitis

 

Swimming in pools, lakes, or ponds during summer is relaxing for many people. But, these cold freshwater sources may have tiny parasites, bacteria, or viruses that can cause skin infection and itching. Swimmers may have such an infection when they spend the maximum hours of their day in not enough chlorinated swimming pools. The risk of infection is even more if swimmers have exposed cuts or scrapes on the skin.

 

Treatment- Swimmers can get relief from their rashes by applying corticosteroid cream, anti-itch lotion, baking soda paste, or cold compress to the affected area. They can also try taking a colloidal oatmeal bath and Epsom salt/baking soda bath.

 

2. Swimmer’s ear

 

It is an infection of the ear caused by the trapping of pool water in the ear canal. If ignored for too long, this condition can cause pain and irritation.

 

Treatment- Mostly prescribed ear drops containing antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, or/and an acidic solution are provided to the swimmers. The swimmers must have their outer canal cleaned with an ear curette or a suction device to get rid of earwax clumps, flaky skin, ear discharge, and other debris. This will help ear drops to easily flow to the infected areas of the ear. To ease the pain or discomfort of the ear, swimmers can take painkillers.  

 

3. Prickly heat or heat rash

 

Hot and humid weather causes a lot of sweating. Skin sweats through the sweat glands and when these glands get obstructed, a heat rash appears on the skin. This rash develops as tiny, red, itchy bumps. The bumps burst to release sweat which makes the skin itchy.

 

Treatment- Heat rashes often resolve without treatment. To get relief, people must first move away from a hot/warm environment that causes sweating and subsequent itching sensation. Other remedies include applying topical products to instantly soothe or calm their skin. These include mineral oil or petroleum-based skin products, aloe vera gel, calamine lotion, topical corticosteroids, topical antihist-amines, and anhydrous lanolin.

 

4. Athlete’s foot

 

This foot skin infection is contracted because of wearing tight footwear which causes sweaty feet. It is a fungal skin infection that first develops between the toes. Its symptoms include peeling and flaking foot skin and redness. In severe cases, there are blisters on the foot that may turn painful if not untreated.

 

Treatment- Non-prescribed and prescribed antifungal topical or oral products can help treat Athlete’s foot. Self-care is also important to treat or avoid the recurrence of an athlete’s foot. 

 

5. Folliculitis

 

The skin pores have hair follicles from which hair grows. When these hair follicles get clogged with sweat, grim, or dirt; they are said to be infected. This condition is called folliculitis. It is characterized by an appearance of a pimple on the skin surface which can be itchy or tender to the touch.

 

Treatment- If bacterial infection, Folliculitis can be controlled with antibacterial lotions, gels, or pills. In case of fungal infection, there is antifungal cream, shampoos, and pills. Mild eosinophilic folliculitis may be treated with steroid creams or pills. Dr. Monica Chahar, Best Skin Specialist in Dwarka at Skin Décor treat pseudofolliculitis barbae with laser hair removal and large boil or carbuncle with minor pus-draining surgery.

 

6. Yeast infection (Candidiasis)

 

Warm, moist, and sweaty summers can cause yeast infection in intimate areas because the skin turns more acidic.

 

Treatment- There are many oral and topical antifungals available to treat candidiasis. Also, there are solutions to normalize the skin’s pH level.

 

7. Hives

 

It is a skin infection commonly caused by certain allergens, insect bites, pollens, medications, etc. But, it can even be a common outcome of extreme heat and profuse sweating. The hives appear on the skin as welts or red swollen bumps with defined raised edges.

 

Treatment- The condition can resolve by just adjusting the body to the cooler temperature. To treat hives, patients can take cold showers, and wear summer-friendly clothing. A dermatologist may prescribe antihistamines.

 

8. Molluscum virus

 

This viral skin infection is the result of overexposure of the skin to the chlorinated water of swimming pools. The infection forms white bumps all over the body and it’s contagious. It mostly affects the skin of the children and makes them suffer for up to 4 years.   

 

Treatment- Moluscum virus infection can clear on its own without medical intervention. However, if the spots are causing problems, antibiotics and steroids may be prescribed.

 

Do visit now to treat any type of skin issues and diseases at Skin Décor Clinic, skin clinic in Delhi.

 

Consult her to know more!