Summer
sun and temperatures are beloved because they provide us with the opportunity
to spend more time outdoors doing the things as we love. However, the sun and
temperatures come at a price and it is our skin that pays that price. Sun
damage can lead to premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, marks, dry skin, and
even skin cancer over time. The hottest season of the year requires careful thought
for your skin even as you enjoy the heat and freedom of summer. With the
enhanced flow of skin's oily discharge, epidermal layer may be prone to
dullness, loss of luster and blemishes. Secondly, owing to the increased
susceptibility to the damaging UV rays of sun, there is a consequential
increase in the formation of patches and wrinkles. In order to overcome the
seasonal blemishes and loss of collagen, it is important to comply with certain
skin care regimen.
With
the enhanced flow of skin's oily discharge, epidermal layer may be prone to
dullness, loss of luster and blemishes. Secondly, owing to the increased susceptibility
to the damaging UV rays of sun, there is a consequential increase in the
formation of patches and wrinkles. In order to overcome the seasonal blemishes
and loss of collagen, it is important to comply with certain skin care regimen.
Sun allergy is an immune system reaction to the
sun. It can occur at any time in someone’s life, but typically it occurs in
people in their 20s and their 30s. Sun allergy can affect people of all skin
types and the exact cause of this disorder is still unknown.
Main types of sun allergy:
Polymorphic
light eruption - the most common type of
sun allergy; tiny bumps on itchy red skin in spring and early summer
Solar
urticaria - hives, itching and blisters in older adults
Actinic
prurigo - red and itchy patches and bumps in children in summer
Chronic
actinic dermatitis - thick patches of dry, itchy and inflamed skin
General Skin Care Tips for Summer:
In
order to overcome the seasonal blemishes and loss of collagen, it is important
to comply with certain skin care regimen.
·
Drink
at least 15-20 glasses of water to keep yourself hydrated. Other than providing
the necessary moisture, it will help flush the toxic content.
·
Avoid
the sun during peak hours (between 10am and 3pm). Wear sunglasses, a hat and
protective clothing with long sleeves and long trousers.
·
Use
of moisturizer watery in base is necessary during summer. Rose water which
happens to be an effective toner cum moisturizer may be used as part of toning
and moisturizing.
·
Juice
extracted from cucumber or watermelon may be similarly used for moisturizing
facial skin.
·
Application
of moisturizer containing aloe extracts or for that matter application of aloe
gel serves to be an effective summer healing option.
·
As
far as caring of feet and hands are concerned, soaking hands and feet in water
enriched with a pinch of salt will help boost blood circulation.
·
Avoid
wearing closed shoes that block free circulation of air, in its place go for
flats and sandals that make for necessary circulation.
·
Other
than avoiding moisturizer with oily base, it is also necessary that one avoids
using synthetics and silk preferable during winter.
·
For
excessively dry skin types, olive oil may be used as an alternative to oily
based moisturizers and toners.
·
Make
sure that the sunscreen used is applied at least fifteen to thirty minutes
before stepping out in the sun.
·
According
to dermatologists and skin care specialists sun protective formula meant for
summer should have a higher SPF (sun protection factor) content. SPF-30 should
be used during summer.
·
Similarly
special care should be taken to have it applied twice or thrice during summer,
other than using the same prior to stepping out in the sun.
·
For
those choosing to swim and bask in sun, sun protective formula should be
applied every hour and twenty minutes to overcome the damaging impacts of sun
burn, rashes and blister formation
·
In
order to make for healthy breathing and free circulation of the epidermal
layer, tight fitting clothes blocking circulation should be avoided.
·
Exfoliating
the facial skin by means of a homemade scrub prepared out of half a cup yogurt,
five table spoons of gram flour, a dash of turmeric and six drops of rose water
can prove to be an effective option.
·
Exfoliation
followed by the application of facial pack consisting of three table spoons of
mashed papaya , one table spoon of honey or lemon juice and white of an egg
will serve to revive radiance and glow lost during summer.
·
In
case you want to avoid the use of egg white, the resulting blend of cucumber,
honey and yogurt may be used to provide cooling touch to the skin
·
In
order to get rid of uneven summer tanning, go for a blend of gram flour, yogurt
and squeezed juice of half a lemon, to apply the same on parts affected.
·
Mixture
consisting of honey and potato juice serves to be a good option for overcoming
tan.
·
Honey
is similarly effective in overcoming conditions of scars and rashes.
·
Avoid
carbonated drinks containing soda and high doses of sugar. Instead go for juices
extracted out of fresh fruits like lemonade and that extracted from unripe
green mango.
·
In
cases of bites and stings during summer, soothing the affected part by means of
an ice pack will prove to be healthy.
·
Eat
healthy, exercise and sleep well! The holy trinity of good health and glowing
skin holds true for the whole year. So along with all the tips above, don’t forget to eat a balanced diet, work out
for at least 45 minutes everyday and get 6 to 8 hours of sleep. Enjoy the
summer!
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT
Homoeopathy
is safe and effective treatment for summer skin problems. It is better to start
a preventive treatment a few weeks before going on vacation or before summer’s
onset
SUNBURN
Commonly
used Homoeopathic Medicines for Sunburn / Rash:
Acon,
Agar, Ant-c, Bell
Urtica urens - Indications for use are redness and
intense burning heat with a violent itching or a stinging, pricking quality.
The burnt skin resembles a rash with little white bumps. This remedy originates
from Stinging Nettle.
Cantharis - The skin is red with very painful
burning, rawness, and smarting, and is better from cool applications that the
person doesn’t want to take off. This is our main first-aid remedy for any type
of burn.
Causticum - This remedy is for more serious
burns that blister and ooze or for the ill-effects of old burns. Topical
applications can be very soothing to a burn:
Calendula or Hypericum tincture diluted in water, 1 to 10 parts. Apply cool
compresses to the sunburned skin, refreshing them frequently as they warm up
against the skin.
SUN ALLERGY
Apis mellifica - Burning and itchy pink swollen
patches, improved by cold compresses.
Belladonna - Hot bright red rash; sun allergy
can be accompanied by fever.
Hypericum - Herbal and homeopathic
preparations of St.John`s wort have a completely different action when it comes
to sun allergy. Herbal preparations make the skin more vulnerable to sunlight
while daily doses of homeopathic dilutions of St.John`s wort have the opposite
action - they can desensitize the skin. The skin becomes accustomed to UV light
and symptoms caused by sun exposure are reduced.
Muriaticum acidum - Red papules and vesicles with
violent itching
Natrum mur - Sun allergy is worse at the sea
side; various chronic skin disorders - urticaria, eczema,acne, herpes; skin and
respiratory allergies.
Pulsatilla - Thin mottled skin, sensitive to
sunlight and cold - prone to sunburn and sun allergy in summer and to
frostbites in winter; slow digestion with intolerance to fatty foods; ENT and
urogenital disorders with yellow-greenish discharge.
orifices
turn red easily, prone to various skin disorders and multiple allergy; heat
intolerance.
BEE/WASP STINGS AND INSECT BITES
Ledum palustre
is the main remedy for puncture wounds from insect stings and spider bites as well
as a good, first choice for any kind of bite (including a dog or cat bite) that
burns, itches, and stings. The site of the sting is bluish in colour with hard,
white swelling that feels cold to the touch. The person is usually chilly but
better from very cold applications, which is unusual, and therefore, the
guiding symptom to use of this remedy. Topical Ledum (prepared as above)
relieves itchy mosquito bites.
Apis mellifica
- derived from the honey bee, is another frequently indicated remedy, when
there is tremendous red puffy swelling at the site of the bite, along with a
burning, throbbing, stinging sensation. The person is hot and restless, worse
with heat, and relieved by cold applications and cold air.
Carbolic acid
- For an allergic or anaphylactic reaction and collapse following a bee or wasp
sting, with marked swelling and a choking feeling. The person is usually
covered in hives, with a swollen face and tongue
Caladium - For intensely itching flea, fly,
and mosquito bites with no other major complaints. For inflammation and
infection from every mosquito bite.
Urtica urens
- For urticaria (hives) caused by allergic reactions to insect bites and
jellyfish stings, characterized by burning, prickling, and itching pain, which
is better from constantly rubbing the area.
Vespa - A very useful remedy for a wasp
sting followed by severe stinging, piercing pain, along with staring into
space, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.
Usually
Ledum and Apis will take good care of the majority of insect bites and stings.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Sun
exposure during very hot weather can also bring on the added risk of heat
exhaustion, when a person becomes dehydrated from lack of water, excessive
sweating, overexertion, and/or consuming alcoholic beverages.
Symptoms
include pallor, cold and clammy skin, excessive sweating, increased pulse and breathing,
weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and muscle cramps. Veratrum album
corresponds to the above common symptoms of heat exhaustion.
Cuprum
Metallicum may be indicated if muscle cramping is predominant.
Magnesium Phosphoricum
is indicated when abdominal or leg cramps predominate.
Gelsemium is characterized by dullness,
dizziness, and drowsiness. The face is hot and dusky red, the head is
congested, with a feeling of emptiness or weakness in the stomach, along with the
characteristic nervous, shuddering chill. The person is worse with motion and
wants to lie down quietly.
SUNSTROKE/HEATSTROKE
If
heat exhaustion goes untreated, heatstroke may follow, which is a
life-threatening condition in that the body cannot regulate its own
temperature. Sweating may cease, and the body temperature can rise to
40ºC/104ºF or higher, with a rapid and strong pulse. Sunstroke presents with
dry skin, a hot head, and a severe headache. The person may be vomiting, confused,
convulsing, or unconscious.
If
suspect heatstroke, simple measures to provide additional comfort and rest
should be taken before you even select a homeopathic remedy. Move the person to
a cool place, remove clothing, and sponge down with cool water. Administer the
indicated remedy while awaiting medical assistance.
Belladonna - Characteristically, of sudden
onset, with a hot and flushed-red face, while the rest of the body (or just the
hands and feet) is chilled or cold. The severe, throbbing, right-sided headache
is worse from jarring, motion, light, or noise, and better from cold
applications or bending the head backward. The pupils are dilated, and the
person seems to be in a stupor.
Glonoinum - Presents with a violent, pounding,
or throbbing headache, with visible pulsation of the carotid artery along with
a bounding pulse. The headache is worse from applying cold water and bending
the head backward, and better from elevating the head. The skin is hot and dry,
with a flushed, bright-red face and bulging eyes. There is a heavy, confused,
drowsy state, with vertigo and dizziness as well as frequent urination.
Carbo
vegetabilis - The person becomes
weak and faints or collapses as a result of the heat exhaustion. He is cold and
clammy, with marked nausea and diarrhea after exposure to heat and sun. Needing
air and wanting to be fanned are the guiding symptoms to the use of this remedy.
Natrum Carbonicum
- A good overall remedy if there are no clear modalities, and often works when
others don’t. Sensitive to sunstroke, and for repeated sunstroke or the chronic
effects of sun exposure. Severe headache from the least sun; weakness after
walking in the sun; confusion and vertigo after exposure to the sun.
Gelsemium - A flushed face and headache, with
the characteristic trembling and weakness.
General
Management - Rest for at least 24 hours after sunstroke or heat exhaustion.
Hydration an d electrolyte replacement to replenish fluid levels internally are
very important. And because of increased susceptibility in the future, special
attention should be paid to keeping the head covered.
Prevention
is the best cure. Stay in the shade during the most intense heat of the day,
drink plenty of water, moderate your exercise routine, and avoid alcoholic
beverages.
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