Itchy skin can occur any time of year, but the intense heat of the summer heatwave can make things worse than usual.
From redness to dry sweat, increased temperatures can cause a number of problems for people with sensitive skin.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Esthetician Elizabeth Rimmer, founder of London Professional Aesthetics, explained what exactly is causing your annoying itch and how to treat it.
The most important tip is to avoid getting scratched at all costs, no matter how tempting.
Scratching stimulates serotonin production, which explains the “limit of happy relaxation,” Elizabeth explains.
However, scratching disrupts the skin barrier, increasing inflammation and the chance of infection, and ultimately promoting that awful itching.
Elizabeth Rimmer, beautician and founder of London Professional Aesthetics, has compiled a guide to common itchy skin conditions and how to treat them. stock image
prickly heat / heat rash
Itchy skin associated with prickly heat usually presents as a mild rash with small raised patches with or without swelling.
Elizabeth explains: “On light skin the spots may appear red, on darker skin the rash may be less noticeable. It can be both painful and itchy (hence the name!).
‘This affects adults and children all over the body. This rash is usually the result of excessive sweating and may appear several days after the heat. It can also be caused by cooling difficulties (especially in children).
How to treat:
“Calm down and keep calm,” Elizabeth says.
‘Try to stay calm. It’s important to talk about the obvious, but to do so. Staying cool means wearing loose cotton clothes and staying cool in bed: drop your duvet and avoid faux fabrics.
Make sure you drink plenty of water, keep the bath or shower water hot and cool, and dry your skin rather than rubbing it.
“Try to avoid scratching—trust me, I know it’s not easy—apply cold packs or rub or scrub your skin, whatever you need to do to avoid the urge to scratch.”
“If you’re having a hard time, your pharmacist can help you: they can recommend antihistamines, calamine lotions, emollients, or even a mild steroid cream.
mosquito bites
Another inevitable summer itch comes from mosquitoes.
Usually, it’s barely noticeable until the job is done, leaving you with a small, tan or red border that you can draw at your own peril.
“It’s true that some skins are more attractive than others,” Elizabeth says. “But we can all fall victim to any part of the body.
“Mosquitoes like stagnant water, although they can be found anywhere, so be very careful when visiting lakes or other bodies of water.”
How to treat:
“Mosquito bites can settle down pretty quickly if you can resist the urge to scratch, but it’s easier said than done,” says Elisabeth.
“If you need a little help, you can try antihistamine tablets or creams or even a very mild steroid cream.”
But if you prefer to avoid being bitten, there are many add-ons, diffusers, candles, and mosquito repellent sprays you can purchase.
‘You can also apply mosquito repellent to your skin. There is a wide variety of options on the market to choose from.
In some cases, mosquitoes can transmit disease, depending on where you are in the world.
In these cases, you may need to see a doctor before a prescription can be written. prophylactic drugs to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease.
eczema
Eczema is a chronic dry skin condition that you are more likely to have if one or both of your parents or siblings have it.
People with eczema have patches of dry, flaky, and irritated skin. Over time, the affected skin may thicken or change color.
During bad flares, it’s possible to develop an infection in addition to eczema, as the skin doesn’t do its usual job of keeping bacteria out.
Its severity can range from really mild to very severe and anywhere in between. Symptoms can and often fluctuate.
Eczema can occur anywhere on the body, but common areas are the back of the knees, the creases on the elbows, and the back of the hands.
Unfortunately, eczema symptoms can be made worse by heat.
How to treat:
People with eczema can benefit from a wide variety of treatments depending on the condition of their skin, and as this situation changes, treatments change according to the symptoms of that period.
The basis of eczema treatment is hydration. Skin can retain less moisture, so it’s very important to bring moisture back into the skin during and after washing.
Other treatments that may be needed include steroid creams and ointments, antibiotics if you have an infection, and more.
From redness to dry sweat, increased temperatures can cause a number of problems for people with sensitive skin. stock image
urticaria
Idiopathic urticaria is the coined name for a common itchy rash. It basically means an allergic rash of unknown cause.
The rash causes hives or itchy bruises that appear on one part of the body, move down, and then reappear elsewhere.
Elizabeth says: “When it comes to allergies, we really want to know the cause, and when we say ‘unknown cause’ it may seem ‘undiagnosed’, but it is.
“It usually takes about six weeks or more and you should see a doctor. Never self-diagnose anything that lasts longer than a few weeks.
This type of rash can be caused by a number of different factors, such as stress, infection, and food.
How to treat:
Your doctor may want you to take an antihistamine every day for a few weeks to bring your histamine levels back to normal.
Pregnancy
Itchy skin during pregnancy is a thing, and Elizabeth says it’s important to notify your midwife or doctor of any new symptoms.
She explains: “Something like itching may seem harmless, but in rare cases it can be an important sign and you will probably need a blood test to make sure everything is alright.
‘Itching during pregnancy can happen all over the body and can be quite painful. The most common reason for this to happen is simply a change in hormone levels in the blood.
How to treat:
All the usual itch control is applied. Stay cool by wearing loose cotton clothing (even in bed at night), drink plenty of fluids, and keep your skin moist with emollients.
Try to avoid scratching – try cold packs, pats, faucets and fans. Don’t be afraid to ask your medical team for advice on how to manage the itch, she says.
Source: Daily Mail
