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 thoughtful days for some individuals. Although we do not experience colds or flu this season, we encounter some skin diseases with increasing frequency in the summer season compared to the past. Especially people with fair skin are more affected by these skin problems. Because our understanding of vacation today is very different from what it was a hundred years ago: our great-grandmothers would not have even thought 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 used to enter the water with their skins invisible. A white skin was a symbol of privilege in those years! But employees who always had to work outdoors would get dark.
After the invention of the swimwear called BIKINI in the mid-1940s, habits began to change rapidly. After the 1950s, burnt skin became a symbol of health and attractiveness. People began to spend more time under the sun. In this middle, the ozone layer was also pierced and the sun’s wasted UV rays began to reach the earth in heavier 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 issues do not upset us in the summer:
SUN ALLERGY:
There are two main types of sun allergy:
Polymorphous light dermatosis is the most common type. The causative agent in this disease is very sensitive to direct UV light. The rash appears in the last days of the spring months, before the holiday season starts, and when we start wearing short sleeved and open-collared clothes, within 3-4 days following the first contact 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 surfaces of the feet. If not taken under control, these rashes will continue for 2-3 months and disappear by the end of summer without leaving a trace. They tend to recur in the same period every 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 chemical elements used in some cosmetics, lotions and perfumes It can trigger sun allergy after contact with light. Reactions that occur 4-6 hours after exposure to the sun are usually discontinuous and do not tend to recur. Itching relief measures will suffice. Allergies that occur in 24-48 hours are thought to be due to previous sensitization of the body. Since these tend to recur, the triggering factor should be found and definitely avoided.
MAJORCA ACNE: It is especially seen in adult women with oily skin. It manifests itself in the form of small red bumps on the neck, décolleté, shoulders and arms shortly after exposure to UVA rays. It is thought to be triggered by oil and chemical artifacts, especially in sunscreens used on the beach. It gets better on its own in the fall. Preferring non-oily gel sun works suitable for the skin type will reduce the risk of this problem.
SUNBURNS: It is a natural skin reaction that occurs with long-term unprotected exposure to heavy sunlight. It manifests itself with skin redness, soreness, swelling and pain 4-8 hours after sun exposure. In advanced cases, water collection occurs in the skin. It usually reaches its most severe level on the 2nd day. We come across such events on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, mostly in individuals who go to the sea on the weekend. In order to avoid sunburn, it is essential not to sit in the sun in the middle of 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 clothes, 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 valuable 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 increases the risk of skin cancer by 2 times. It should be noted that the most dangerous type of skin cancer, called melanoma, occurs as a result of short-term exposure to the sun, such as severe sunburn. Especially in childhood, a single severe sunburn with the development of water-filled blisters increases the lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.
HERPES SIMPLEKS=SIMPLE HELPES: Herpes sores, which is a viral disease, is found in the body in a dormant state in the border roots. In cases where the body’s immune system is weakened, the herpes microbe becomes active. In addition to factors such as inflammatory diseases, fatigue and tension, the sun’s UV rays also have a suppressive effect on our immune system. That’s why people who have Herpes virus in their body before, usually have cold lips in the hours following their sunbathing on the first day of their holidays. 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 individuals, and those working in hot and humid environments. It manifests itself in the form of small red blisters in the armpits and groins, 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 enough, 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 the middle of 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 valuable to stay away from this disease. Since fungi are contagious, personal items such as clothes, swimwear, towels, and hair brushes should not be shared with people who are in the risk group or who have had a fungus. With the cream given by the doctor, the drugs applied in the form of a spray or the drugs taken orally, the fungal disease is quickly smoothed out. It is very valuable to keep the body dry and cool in order to prevent the disease from recurring, and to dry well after bathing, sea and pool.