What are the most common signs of sun damage on the skin? Discover the key signs, including sunburns, actinic keratoses, age spots, rosacea, and wrinkles. Get informed about the effects of sun exposure and how to identify skin changes.

Recognizing the Signs of Sun Damage

As we age, our skin often takes on a more textured and uneven appearance, with various spots, blotches, and wrinkles emerging over time. These visible changes are largely the result of sun damage to the skin. The sun’s powerful rays can trigger a range of skin problems, from sunburns to precancerous growths.

It’s important to be aware of the common signs of sun damage, as they can provide valuable clues about the overall health and condition of your skin. By understanding these indicators, you can take proactive steps to protect your skin and address any issues that arise.

Sunburns and Skin Discoloration

One of the most immediate and obvious signs of sun damage is a sunburn. When you’ve been exposed to too much UV radiation, your skin turns red, feels painful and warm to the touch, and may even blister. While sunburns may only last a few days, the cumulative effect of repeated sunburns can lead to long-term skin problems.

Another common sign of sun damage is the appearance of age spots, also known as liver spots or lentigines. These discolored areas, which can be as large as a quarter, tend to darken and become more prominent with age. It’s important to keep an eye on these spots and notify your doctor if you notice changes in their texture, color, or shape, as they may be a sign of skin cancer.

Actinic Keratoses and Actinic Cheilitis

Actinic keratoses are scaly, rough patches of skin or raised bumps that can resemble warts or horns. These precancerous growths typically appear on the face, scalp, ears, neck, arms, and hands, and can range in color from dark tan to red or pink. Actinic cheilitis, a form of actinic keratosis on the lips, can cause the lips to be constantly dry or split, with a white, scaly spot on the bottom lip.

If you notice these types of growths, it’s important to have them evaluated by a dermatologist, as up to 10% of actinic keratoses can progress into skin cancer if left untreated.

Rosacea and Sun-Induced Skin Aging

Rosacea is another condition that can be exacerbated by sun exposure. The sun’s rays can damage the small blood vessels under the skin, leading to red blotches and bumps on the face. Rosacea often comes and goes at first, but can become a persistent condition over time.

Additionally, sun exposure can accelerate the skin’s natural aging process, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of premature aging. This condition, known as poikiloderma of Civatte or sun aging, can result in reddish-brown discoloration on the neck and cheeks, as well as increased sensitivity and irritation.

Atypical Moles and Skin Cancer Risk

While most moles are harmless, it’s important to keep an eye out for atypical moles that may be a sign of skin cancer. Moles that grow, have an irregular border or uneven surface, change color, itch, bleed, or become darker should be checked by a dermatologist.

Regularly examining your skin and being aware of any changes can help you identify potential skin cancer early, when it is most treatable. If you have concerns about any suspicious spots or growths, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a skin care professional.

Protecting Your Skin from Sun Damage

To minimize the risk of sun damage and skin cancer, it’s important to take proactive steps to protect your skin. This includes wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, seeking shade during the peak UV hours of the day, and covering up with protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses.

By understanding the common signs of sun damage and taking steps to safeguard your skin, you can help maintain a healthy, youthful appearance and reduce your risk of developing serious skin conditions.

Seeking Professional Skin Evaluation

If you are concerned about any changes in your skin, it’s recommended to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist or other skin care professional. They can conduct a thorough examination and provide personalized recommendations for addressing any signs of sun damage or other skin concerns.

Regular skin checks and proactive care can help you maintain the health and appearance of your skin, even as you age. By staying vigilant and seeking professional guidance when needed, you can take steps to protect your skin and enjoy a lifetime of vibrant, healthy-looking skin.

What Are the Signs of Sun Damage? Wrinkles, Actinic Keratoses, and More

Most of us start life with smooth, unmarked, even-toned skin. But our “birthday suits” take on more color and texture with every passing year.

Spots, blotches, and wrinkles that show up over time are really signs of the sun’s damage to your skin. So is a suntan. The sun’s beams bring out a chemical in your body associated with melanin, which darkens your skin, part of an effort to protect it.

Other kinds of damage aren’t as easy to spy. Your regular doctor or one who treats skin problems, called a dermatologist, can examine you from head to toe to look for clues. Here are some of the most common signs of sun damage:

• Sunburns may last only a few days, but they add up to skin problems later in life. When you have a mild sunburn, your skin turns red and feels painful and warm to the touch. You may be itchy, and your skin may peel. Blisters mean you have a bad burn. See a doctor if you have severe pain or a fever of 101 F or higher for longer than 48 hours.
• Actinic keratoses are scaly, rough patches of skin or raised bumps that look like warts or horns. They usually show up on your face, scalp, ears, neck, arms, and hands. They can be dark tan, red, pink, or the same color as your skin, and they can come and go. Sometimes they itch. Your doctor will want to watch for changes in these spots and maybe even remove them. Up to 10% can turn into skin cancer.
• Actinic cheilitis is a form of actinic keratosis on your lips. If they’re always dry or split or you have a white, scaly spot on your bottom lip, let your doctor know.
• Age spots, also called liver spots or lentigines, might look like extra-large freckles. These discolored areas, which can be as big as a quarter, tend to get darker and show up more often with age. A spot that was tan when you first noticed it in your 30s can turn brown and then dark brown in your 40s and 50s. Keep an eye on these spots, and tell your doctor if you notice changes in texture, a raised surface, more than one color within the spot, sudden darkening, or an oddly shaped border.
• Atypical moles are very common, but it’s important to watch for changes to them. If you have one that grows, has an irregular border or uneven surface, changes color, itches, bleeds, or gets darker, it’s time for a trip to the doctor’s office.
• Rosaceacan be another way the sun affects you. Sun rays are powerful enough to harm the small blood vessels under your skin. So when you blush or flush, fluid leaks out and causes red blotches and bumps on your face. It usually comes and goes at first, but the condition can stick around over time. It’s most common in white women between the ages 30 and 60.
• Wrinkles, laugh lines, crow’s feet — whatever you call them, they’re a sign of your time in the sun. Exposure to sunlight, even long ago, frays the fibers that prop up firm skin. It speeds the wrinkling process and may give you sags and droops beyond your years.
• Poikiloderma of Civatte, also known as sun aging, is a condition that colors the skin on your neck and cheeks a reddish-brown. It can come along with burning, itching, and extra sensitivity, too. If you suspect this problem, have a doctor look at it.

Summer heat and sun can give you a rash. Here’s what to do.

You’ve got a rash. You quickly rule out the usual suspects: You haven’t been gardening or hiking or even picnicking, so it’s probably not a plant irritant such as poison ivy or wild parsnip; likewise, it’s probably not chiggers or ticks carrying Lyme disease; and you haven’t been swimming in a pond, which can harbor the parasite that causes swimmer’s itch.

Your rash may be coming from two hard-to-escape realities of summer: heat and sun.

Let’s consider heat first. Heat rash occurs when the sweat glands are blocked by tiny blisters — they resemble small beads of sweat — that form on the skin. Heat rash, called miliaria by doctors, can cause the skin to redden if the glands are blocked in a deeper layer of the skin. The skin can feel irritated and itchy, giving rise to another common term for the syndrome — prickly heat.

The chain of events is the same in heat rash as in eczema. They both start with staphylococcus bacteria living on the skin, says Herb Allen, a dermatologist and researcher at Drexel University in Philadelphia. “It’s normal flora,” he says. “It’s on everybody.”

Sometimes the bacteria produce a substance that scientists call biofilm. “It used to be called slime,” Allen says. “It coats and protects bacteria.” Biofilm can also clog up sweat glands.

One of the best known benefits of sunlight is its ability to boost the body’s vitamin D supply, but what happens when you can’t get outside in the sun? George Washington University’s Dr. Michael Irwig explains how sunlight, or lack of it, can affect a person’s health. (Pamela Kirkland, Gillian Brockell, and Kate M. Tobey/The Washington Post)

What makes staph bacteria produce biofilm? Salt and water — or sweat. The bacteria sense the salty wetness as a dangerous environment and throw out slime in defense. The slime can block your sweat glands and trigger a rapid immune response that causes an itchy rash.

This sequence — you sweat and then your sweat glands clog — is more likely to occur, Allen says, “when you have too much clothing on — or too-tight clothes — or have been lying still on hospital bedsheets. There’s no air flow.”

Fresh air, a breeze, air conditioning and fan-circulated air all help sweat evaporate and prevent heat rash. “Adequate ventilation is the key,” says Mary Sheu, medical director of the Johns Hopkins Dermatology & Cosmetic Center. To prevent miliaria, wear lightweight clothing — and less of it, Allen says.

Anyone can get heat rash. If you do, a heavy-duty moisturizer, especially one containing lanolin, can provide relief, Allen says. Calamine lotion or cortisone cream can also help.

As for rashes caused by sun, polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is the most common culprit, affecting about 10 to 20 percent of people in the Unites States.

While every type of skin type can get sunburned, PMLE is an allergic reaction to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Its form varies — it can produce an itchy rash or blisters or raised red blotches — and its severity varies widely. The reaction can emerge suddenly in one place, such as on arms exposed to the sun that first warm day in April.

“The condition tends to occur in the spring or early summer,” Sheu says. “It’s too much sun, too quickly.” So when exposing your winter-hidden skin parts to the sun, go slow. The best protection against PMLE is avoiding exposure to the sun altogether. Next best is wearing clothes that offer sun protection.

Sunscreen products help, but they can’t entirely prevent PMLE. “Sunscreens are pretty good at blocking short UV rays, the UVB rays that cause sunburn,” Allen says. “But they’re not so good at blocking the long UV rays, the UVA rays. Even the best sunscreens block only 40 to 50 percent of UVA rays.”

Some sunscreens are better than others. Products labeled “broad-spectrum” are formulated to guard against both UVA and UVB rays. Those containing zinc or titanium oxide — these are known as physical blockers — are the best bet for people susceptible to PMLE reactions, Allen says.

A recent study tested sunscreens on 15 women with a history of PMLE; for each woman, four patches of skin were monitored. No reactions were seen after repeated UV exposure of patches lathered with a dose of a high-UVA-protection sunscreen. When half that amount was applied, five reactions occurred. (The American Dermatology Society recommends one ounce of sunscreen, the amount you can hold in your palm, to cover your whole body.)

With a low-UVA-protection sunscreen, 11 and 12 PMLE reactions were seen when applied at the full dose and half that, respectively.

If you do get bothersome PMLE reactions, steroid creams offer some relief. In severe cases, phototherapy — periodic, gradual exposure to UV light — can harden the skin to the reaction.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of PMLE,” Sheu says. “They may call it heat rash — which is kind of a catch-all term.”

The main difference? PMLE, like sunburn, occurs on sun-exposed skin. Heat rash occurs where the skin is covered.

Polymorphous Light Eruption: Northstar Dermatology: Dermatology

Polymorphous light eruption is a skin rash that develops on areas of the body that have been exposed to sunlight. The condition is sometimes referred to as “sun allergy.” It is seen most often in women with fair skin and often develops between the ages of 20 to 40 years.

Individuals with polymorphous light eruption develop an itchy rash when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Symptoms typically surface within 4 days after sun exposure and may include the appearance of small bumps, blisters, redness, scaling, itching, hives or swelling. Symptoms are seen only on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun and vary from person-to-person. It is not unusual for someone to experience a combination of symptoms.

If you notice rash or skin reaction following sun exposure, it is important to see your dermatologist. Some cases of polymorphous light eruption may be triggered by a response to certain medications such as tetracycline and sulfa antibiotics. Chemicals found in fragrances, lotions and other products can also make the skin more likely to react to sunlight.

Diagnosing polymorphous light eruption may be as simple as examining the skin. Your dermatologist may also conduct tests using an ultraviolet lamp, skin patch testing or skin biopsy.

Treatment of polymorphous light eruption includes steroid creams or pills, phototherapy to sensitize skin to ultraviolet light and anti-malarial medications to reduce inflammation. Studies have also shown polypodium leucotomos, an antioxidant derived from fern leaves, appears to be effective in preventing polymorphous light eruption symptoms in some individuals.

To reduce the risk of polymorphous light eruption symptoms, it is advisable to avoid midday sun exposure (between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 before heading outside, wear sun-protective clothing and hats and seek areas of shade when outdoors.

Polymorphous light eruption | Sparrow

The term “eruption” refers to the rash, which usually appears 30 minutes to several hours after exposure to sunlight. The rash typically appears on areas of the body that tend to be covered during winter but exposed in summer: the upper chest, front of the neck and arms.

Characteristics of the rash may include:

• Dense clusters of small bumps and blisters
• Red, raised rough patches
• Itching or burning

Rarely people may have other signs or symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache or nausea. These conditions may be the result of an associated sunburn rather than polymorphous light eruption.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have any rash with no obvious cause, such as a known allergy or recent contact with poison ivy.

Polymorphous light eruption rashes look similar to rashes caused by other diseases, some of which are serious. So it’s important to get a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Seek immediate medical care if your rash is:

• Widespread
• Painful
• Accompanied by fever

Causes

The exact cause of polymorphous light eruption isn’t well-understood. The rash appears in people who have developed sensitivity to components of sunlight, and in particular ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or other sources, such as tanning beds or tanning lamps. This sensitivity is called photosensitivity. It results in immune system activity that causes a rash.

UV radiation

UV radiation is a wavelength of sunlight in a range too short for the human eye to see. UV light that reaches the earth is divided into two wavelength bands — ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

A person with photosensitivity can react to both types of UV radiation. Although UVB doesn’t penetrate glass, UVA does. UVA may even penetrate through most sunscreens. So exposure to sunlight through windows or even sunscreen-protected skin may cause a reaction in some people with photosensitivity.

Photosensitivity

Sensitivity to sunlight lessens with repeated exposure in polymorphous light eruption. Features of polymorphous light eruption are somewhat predictable:

• An episode is most likely to occur after the first one or two exposures to sunlight after a long period of no exposure. This usually means that an episode occurs during the spring or early summer or during a winter vacation in a sunnier location.
• Episodes are less likely to occur as the summer progresses.
• After the first episode of polymorphous light eruption, additional episodes are likely to recur each spring or early summer.
• Some people gradually become less sensitive over several years and eventually no longer experience the annual rash.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop polymorphous light eruption, but several factors are associated with an increased risk of the condition:

• Being female
• Experiencing the first episode during the teenage years or 20s
• Having light skin and living in northern regions
• Having a family history of the condition

Diagnosis

Your doctor can probably make a diagnosis of polymorphous light eruption based on a physical exam and your answers to questions. He or she may also have you undergo laboratory tests in order to confirm a diagnosis or rule out other conditions. Tests may include:

• Skin biopsy. Your doctor may remove a sample of rash tissue (biopsy) for examination in a lab.
• Blood tests. A nurse or assistant may draw blood for laboratory tests.
• Phototesting. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in skin conditions (dermatologist) for phototesting. During the test small areas of your skin are exposed to measured amounts of UVA and UVB light to try to reproduce the problem. If your skin reacts to the UV radiation, you’re considered sensitive to sunlight (photosensitive) and may have polymorphous light eruption or another light-induced disorder.

Other light-induced conditions

Your doctor may need to rule out other disorders characterized by light-induced skin reactions. These conditions include:

• Chemical photosensitivity. A number of chemicals — drugs, medicated lotions, fragrances, plant products — can induce photosensitivity. When this occurs, your skin reacts each time it’s exposed to sunlight after ingesting or coming into contact with a particular chemical.
• Solar urticaria. Solar urticaria is a sun-induced allergic reaction that produces hives — raised, red, itchy welts that appear and disappear on your skin. The welts can appear within a few minutes of sun exposure and last for a few minutes to hours. Solar urticaria is a chronic condition that can last for years.
• Lupus rash. Lupus is an inflammatory disorder that affects a number of body systems. One symptom is the appearance of a discolored, bumpy rash on areas of skin exposed to sunlight, such as the face, neck or upper chest.

Treatment

Treatment of polymorphous light eruption usually isn’t necessary because the rash typically goes away on its own within 10 days. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe anti-itch medicine (a corticosteroid cream or pill). Treatment is also available to help prevent a rash.

Phototherapy

Your doctor may suggest phototherapy to prevent seasonal episodes of polymorphous light eruption in people who have experienced disabling signs and symptoms. Phototherapy exposes your skin to small doses of UVA or UVB light, which helps your skin be less sensitive to light. Basically, it’s a controlled version of the increased exposure you would experience over the course of the summer.

One type of light therapy called psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) combines UVA with a medicine called psoralen, which makes the skin more sensitive to this light. Short-term side effects of this therapy may include nausea, headache and itching.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Self-care measures that may help ease your signs and symptoms include:

• Applying anti-itch cream. Try an over-the-counter (nonprescription) anti-itch cream, which may include products containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone.
• Taking antihistamines. If itching is a problem, oral antihistamines may help.
• Using cold compresses. Apply a towel dampened with cool tap water to the affected skin, or take a cool bath.
• Leaving blisters alone. To speed healing and avoid infection, leave blisters intact. If needed, you can lightly cover blisters with gauze.
• Taking a pain reliever. An over-the-counter pain medication may help reduce redness or pain. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others).

To lessen the likelihood of recurring episodes of polymorphous light eruption, take the following precautions:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Because the sun’s rays are most intense during this time, try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day.

• Use sunscreen. Fifteen to 30 minutes before going outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen, one that provides protection from both UVA and UVB light. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring. If you’re using a spray sunscreen, be sure to cover the entire area completely. Cover up. For protection from the sun, wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or golf visor.

  Consider wearing clothing designed to provide sun protection. Look for clothes labeled with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 40 to 50. Follow care instructions on the label of UV-blocking clothes to maintain their protective feature.

Preparing for an appointment

You’re likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. He or she may refer you to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist).

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if you need to do anything in advance.
• List any symptoms you’re experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• List key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• List all medications, vitamins or supplements that you’re taking, including doses.
• List questions to ask your doctor.

For polymorphous light eruption, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What’s the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• What tests do I need? Do they require any special preparation?
• Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
• Is it possible this condition is related to a more serious illness?
• What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
• What side effects can I expect from treatment?
• Do I need to follow any restrictions?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing me?
• Do you have any brochures or other printed material I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will ask you a number of questions about your symptoms and your medical history, such as:

• When did the rash appear?
• Does it itch or cause pain?
• Have you had a fever associated with the rash?
• Do you have any other symptoms?
• Did you recently start a new medication?
• Have you recently used a cosmetic or fragrance in the area of the rash?
• Have you had a similar rash before? When?
• Has the duration of your sunlight exposure increased recently?
• Have you recently used a tanning bed or lamp?
• Do you use sunscreen?

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid sun exposure whenever possible. If you can’t avoid the sun, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 in areas that cannot be protected by clothing. Apply it generously 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply it every two hours or more often if you’re swimming or sweating. This won’t totally protect you from a reaction, as ultraviolet A may penetrate through most sunscreens.

Content From Mayo Clinic Updated: 12/24/2020

© 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use

I Got Blisters From a Sunburn. What Should I Do? (for Teens)

I got a bad sunburn on my shins about a week ago. It seemed like it was healing, but today I noticed blisters on my legs. They’re clearish white on the top, and the fluid inside is clear. My whole shins are giant clear blisters (or hundreds of tiny blisters). I tried putting aloe gel on it. What should I do?
– Fiona*

Blisters like the ones you have are a sign that a sunburn is serious. The blisters don’t always show up right away. They may develop hours after a sunburn or take longer to appear.

If you have a fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting, severe blistering or pain, call your doctor’s office or a health clinic.

If you have blisters with no other problems, here’s how to care for them:

• Don’t pop or pick them. Blisters protect the skin underneath as they heal. If they get peeled off, the skin can get infected.
• Cool the burn. Use cold compresses off and on or take a quick shower or bath with cool water.
• If the burn is painful, take ibuprofen. Follow the package instructions for dosing.
• It’s OK to use a moisturizer or aloe gel on the blisters. Avoid petroleum jelly or other heavy products, though, because they prevent heat or sweat from escaping.
• Protect your skin from sun while it’s healing from the burn. Your skin will be tender, and more sun will only make things worse. If you need to go out in the sun, wear long, loose skirts or pants to cover the blisters until they’re gone. Wear sunscreen after the blisters have healed. Don’t use tanning beds.
• Drink extra water to help prevent dehydration.

Sunburns get better on their own, but they still affect your health. Each time you get a blistering sunburn, it damages skin cells and increases your chance of developing skin cancer. That’s especially true if you get sunburns as a kid or teen. So promise yourself you’ll be sun smart from now on. (And, if your sunburn is serious, see a doctor or nurse.)

Whenever you’re outdoors, wear a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen (meaning it protects you from both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply it often if you’re on the beach, at the pool, or anywhere you might swim or sweat it off.

Want a tan? You can fake it with a sunless self-tanner, but self-tanners on their own don’t protect you from UVA rays. So wear sunscreen too.

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.

Juvenile spring eruption | DermNet NZ

Author: Dr Mark Duffill, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2008.

What is juvenile spring eruption?

Juvenile spring eruption is a distinct sun-induced skin condition appearing on the light-exposed skin of the ears, usually in boys and young men in early spring. 

What are the clinical features of juvenile spring eruption?

Boys and young men are more affected by juvenile spring eruption because they usually have less hair cover over the ears than girls and young women. Patients whose ears stick out are more susceptible. The eruption of juvenile spring eruption typically occurs in spring and consists of itchy red small lumps which evolve into blisters and crusts and heal with minimal or no scarring. Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck occur in some cases. The appearance of the rash is delayed 8–24 hours after sun exposure and heals in about 2 weeks, faster with treatment. Recurrences can occur, with similar climatic conditions.

Juvenile spring eruption

What is the cause of juvenile spring eruption?

Juvenile spring eruption is probably a localised form of polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) — a sun allergy rash of unknown cause which can have various appearances and affects more widespread areas of sun-exposed skin. Some patients with juvenile spring eruption also have PMLE. Cold weather, such as can occur in the spring, is also thought to play a part in juvenile spring eruption.

How is juvenile spring eruption diagnosed?

Juvenile spring eruption is usually diagnosed clinically and tests are not necessary.

What is the treatment of juvenile spring eruption?

The lesions of juvenile spring eruption are treated with potent topical steroids and emollients. Antihistamines may be prescribed for the itch. The ears should be protected from sun exposure.

To prevent recurrences of juvenile spring eruption, especially when climatic conditions are conducive, hats and sunscreens should be used. Hair can be grown over the ears.

Summer skin rashes – skin rash, summer rash and heat rash

For many Australians, summer means outdoor activities. Many people get sunburn during the summer months and sun safety is important for all of us. But aside from sunburn, some people may get other rashes.

These rashes can be caused by things like sunlight, insects, sweating and overheating during the summer months — especially if they have allergies and/or pre-existing skin conditions. Babies are especially susceptible to skin rashes because their skin is often more sensitive.

There are several different types of skin rashes; here are some that can occur during the summer months.

Heat rash or prickly heat

Heat rash or prickly heat is a harmless but very itchy skin rash forming small red spots in places where sweat collects, such as the armpits, back, under the breasts, chest, neck, groin, crooks of elbows and knees, and the waist.

Heat rash is caused by a blockage and inflammation of sweat ducts in heat and high humidity, which causes:

• tiny red spots
• an irritating itch and prickling sensation
• redness and mild swelling of the affected area

Read more about how to cope in hot weather.

Sun rash

Some people have skin that can develop rashes with exposure to direct sunlight, including people on certain antibiotics, or people exposed to some chemicals, fragrances, dyes, or disinfectants. This is called photodermatitis.

In some people, exposure to the sun in the spring or early summer can trigger an itchy, red rash on the front of the neck, chest and the arms and thighs called polymorphous light eruption (PMLE). It usually clears without treatment in a few days, although it can come back.

Sunlight can also trigger a rare condition called lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE) in susceptible people.

Read more about sun safety.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use our rashes and skin problems Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

Skin allergies

Spring and summer are times when there are many substances that can cause allergic skin reactions in the environment — moulds, pollens, plant and animal substances.

• hives (urticaria) can be triggered by heat or sweat
• eczema (atopic dermatitis) can worsen in the summer, especially with excess sweating
• certain plants and grasses can cause skin rashes

Rashes from bites and stings

Bites and stings usually cause pain and slight swelling, but they can cause a severe skin reaction in some people, particularly if they are allergic to stings. Sometimes the reaction is localised to swelling at the site of the bite or sting. This may be many centimetres wide but gradually goes away over a few days.

In some people the reaction to the bite or sting affects their whole body and can cause itchy skin anywhere on the body, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, and upper airway, a fast heart rate and low blood pressure.

A severe allergic reaction affecting the whole body is called anaphylaxis and is a medical emergency.

Read more about bites and stings.

Chronic skin conditions

Many people with chronic skin conditions may find their symptoms worsen during summer. You should see your doctor if you have an ongoing skin problem that is worsened by heat and sunlight. People with these conditions may need to take special precautions. Examples of chronic skin conditions include:

Self-care and treatments

Most summer skin rashes are not harmful and will disappear by themselves after a few days. Most rashes can be safely and effectively treated at home. Try one or more of these measures:

• Wear light, loose-fitting soft clothes that don’t trap heat and moisture. Natural fabrics such as cotton are best.
• Spend time in cool, air-conditioned or well-ventilated environments. Use a fan if necessary.
• Take frequent cool baths or showers.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any creams or tablets that may help you.
• Don’t scratch the affected area, as it may worsen and become infected.

It’s also important to drink plenty of water in hot weather and ensure you reduce sun exposure to your skin.

When to seek medical help

See your doctor if the rash doesn’t improve by itself, seems to be getting worse or if you have signs of skin infection such as:

• pain, swelling, redness or warmth around the affected area
• pus draining from the lesions
• swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or groin
• a fever or chills

Rarely, some rashes are an early stage of serious infections affecting the whole body, the brain or spinal cord.  You should see your doctor or call triple zero (000) if your rash is associated with:

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — Our Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

In an emergency

Anaphylaxis

It is normal for bee and wasp stings to cause a minor rash. However, in some people with allergies, stings can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency.
 Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if you (or a person you are with) get symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, swelling or tightness in the throat or a rapid pulse.

If the person has a ‘personal action plan’ to manage a known severe allergy, they may need assistance to follow their plan. This may include administering adrenaline to the person via an autoinjector (such as an Epipen®) if one is available. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy recommends that for a severe allergic reaction adrenaline is the initial treatment. For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.

The St John Ambulance Australia first aid fact sheet for anaphylaxis can be found on their website.

Learn about setting up a personal action plan for someone affected by anaphylaxis.

You can read more about anaphylaxis in the bites and stings section.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion

Heat rash may also be an early warning of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Call triple zero (000) immediately if you (or a person you are with) get symptoms of heat stroke such as a sudden rise in body temperature, red, hot dry skin (because sweating has stopped), dry swollen tongue, rapid pulse, rapid shallow breathing, intense thirst, headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, confusion, poor coordination or slurred speech, aggressive or bizarre behaviour, loss of consciousness, seizures or coma.

More information

There are a number of resources and services available if you need help or more information on summer rashes:

• your doctor, pharmacist or the emergency department of your nearest hospital
• the Poisons Information Centre telephone advice line on 13 11 26 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) to talk to a registered nurse (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

90,000 Why sunburn is dangerous and how to recognize skin cancer in time

The deputy chief physician of the regional oncological dispensary, candidate of medical sciences, doctor of the highest category Sergey Sharov told about this.

Protect yourself!

– About 90 percent of malignant skin tumors are associated with excessive exposure to the sun …

– But, despite this, it is possible and necessary to be in the sun! Sunlight improves mood, thanks to it, our body produces a vitamin, or, according to modern science, hormone D.It participates in metabolic processes and prevents the development of cancer. Therefore, people who constantly hide from the sun often have health problems.

– So you need to look for a middle ground?

– Right. And follow simple rules – stay in the sun in the morning or evening. Before 10 am and after 5 pm. At a time when the sun is at its zenith and its ultraviolet radiation is at its most powerful, the skin needs to be protected.

– And how is it correct?

– Best protection – hat, goggles, umbrella, awning, long sleeves, etc.And only if for some reason this is not available to you, sunscreens come to the rescue. But keep in mind that the creams do not reduce the risk of developing malignant skin tumors – such a conclusion was made by German colleagues during their research. Yes, they protect the skin from sunburn, but no more. But the right clothes reduce the risk of developing malignant tumors.

Since the beginning of this year, more than 180 thousand people have been registered with oncologists in the Krasnodar Territory, of which 34 thousand are with malignant skin tumors.

– What are the risks of sunburn?

– A burn is an injury that does not go away without a trace. Cancer does not occur in one or two days; it is a very long, multi-stage process. In order for a malignant cell to arise from a healthy cell, a repeated change in its genetic internal structure must occur. Sometimes it lasts for decades.

– How do you feel about a solarium?

– Negatively.We live in the era of evidence-based medicine, our American colleagues have conducted studies that have shown that if young people under the age of 30 are banned from visiting tanning salons, then melanoma will decrease by 15 percent.

Don’t wait for the whistle

– What types of skin cancer are there?

– One of the most insidious varieties is skin melanoma. It is not so common, but, unfortunately, it is very difficult to treat.There are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. They are, shall we say, less evil, but most of them are in our region.

– What are the statistics?

– Basal cell carcinoma is registered in our country about four thousand new cases per year, melanoma – 550. At the same time, we have recently noted an increase in this disease among the young population. Although, generally speaking, the peak of all oncological diseases occurs at the age of 60–65 years.

– Is the number of patients growing in the region?

– Unfortunately yes.And this is typical not only for our country, but for the whole world. What are the reasons? Life expectancy increases, and the longer it is, the more patients “live to see their cancer”. Neoplasms are the lot of old age, when the immune system is weakened. In addition, diagnostics has improved – we can recognize diseases in the early stages – with the help of tomographs, ultrasound machines.

– So age doesn’t matter?

– As for skin melanoma, yes.This is the second disease, after lung cancer, which gives the largest increase in young patients. Typically, these are residents of rural areas exposed to chronic sun exposure. Therefore, people whose professions are associated with prolonged exposure to the sun are obliged to take care of their health and not work without clothes.

– How to recognize early skin cancer?

– Attention should be paid if the mole: more than six millimeters in diameter, asymmetrical, with ragged edges and uneven color, began to darken quickly, lighten, or hair began to fall out on it.And also there are some sensations in the neoplasm itself: discomfort, itching, burning. Each of these symptoms is a reason to see a doctor. Do not self-medicate! The sooner the specialist finds the optimal treatment for you, the sooner you will return to a normal, fulfilling life.

– Which doctor should I run to?

– Not immediately to the oncologist. Each clinic has an examination room. There are doctors who have undergone special training in oncological dispensaries.If they suspect a malignant neoplasm, the patient will be referred to an oncologist. In addition, you can contact a dermatologist at the clinic.

Also in the Kuban, various preventive and diagnostic actions are being held with the support of the Krasnodar Territory Administration and the Regional Ministry of Health. Don’t be afraid to see a doctor.

Give the steak to the enemy

– Does stress contribute to cancer?

– Unfortunately yes.With a normally functioning immune system, the body sees a malignant cell and destroys it. The tumor does not develop. If the immune system fails, then this cell becomes uncovered, it is not destroyed and begins to develop and grow. Then branches break off from this tumor – metastases that spread throughout the body. Stress, especially chronic stress, leads to a weakening of the immune system. And it can indirectly provoke the development of malignant tumors.

– Broccoli is considered by many to be the killer of cancer cells.Do you recommend it to your patients?

– According to the World Health Organization, unhealthy diet is the number one cause of malignant neoplasms. Of all the cuisines in the world, Japanese is considered the most correct. It contains a large amount of seafood and at the same time little meat. In second place is the Mediterranean. For many northern peoples, who feed exclusively on what is in the ocean or sea, cases of cancer are nonsense.Therefore, a large amount of vegetables, including broccoli, will reduce the likelihood of tumor formation.

– What other factors contribute to the development of cancer?

– In second place is smoking. This is not only lung cancer, but also a large number of other pathologies. In third place is the bad environment. Therefore, remember: your health is in your hands. And we, doctors, are always happy to help you and make you healthy.

Why are sunburns dangerous? We are talking about skin cancer

Video: Kuban news

90,000 Melanoma is very dangerous!

Melanoma is the most aggressive human malignant tumor! It is not as common as other types of skin cancer, but it is most dangerous, as it can affect not only the skin, but also spread to other organs.Melanoma is completely curable if detected early. The chief freelance oncologist of the Ministry of Health of the Ulyanovsk Region, Deputy Chief Physician of the State Healthcare Institution Regional Clinical Oncological Dispensary, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Oncology and Radiation Diagnostics of UlSU Sergey Panchenko will tell about what causes melanoma and how to prevent the disease.

Mole or a sign of melanoma?

Melanoma can develop if you spend too much time in the sun.This causes normal skin cells to become abnormal. Atypical cells grow rapidly and uncontrollably and attack surrounding tissues.

Melanoma tends to occur in blood relatives. Increases the chance of illness and other circumstances. For example, you may have atypical moles. Atypical moles can gradually turn into the skin, their flat part can be flush with the skin. They can be smooth or slightly scaly, or rough or “shaggy” looking.By themselves, these moles do not cause cancer. But if you have many of these moles, this is a sign that melanoma may be developing in your family.

Skin growths? IMMEDIATELY TO A DOCTOR!

The most important warning sign of melanoma is any change in the size, shape, or color of a mole or other skin growth, such as a birthmark. Watch for changes that occur over the course of several weeks – a month. See your doctor if any of the following changes occur:

• Asymmetry: one half of the mole or skin growth is different from the other half.

Asymmetry

• Jagged edges: The edges are uneven, notched, or not clear.
• Color: pigmentation is not uniform. There are shades of yellowish brown, brown and black. The variegated appearance of the mole is complemented by red, white and blue fragments. An early sign of cancer is also a change in the distribution of color, especially the spread of color from the edge of the mole to the surrounding area of ​​the skin.

Uneven coloring

• Diameter: A mole or skin growth larger than 6 mm in diameter, roughly the size of a pencil eraser.The growth of a mole should draw attention to itself.

Birthmark growth and diameter over 6 mm

Signs of melanoma in an existing mole include the following changes:

• Raising, such as thickening or raising a mole that used to be flat.
• In the surface, for example, peeling, ulceration, discharge, bleeding or crusting.
• In an area of ​​skin around a mole, for example, redness, swelling, and new small colored spots around a larger lesion (associated pigmentation).
• Sensitivity, such as itching, tingling or burning.
• Consistency such as softening or small pieces that separate easily (brittleness).

Russian doctors have adopted the principle of diagnosing melanoma, known as the “FIGARO rule”: F shape – convex; And changes – sizes, accelerated growth; G borders – irregular, jagged edges; A symmetry – one half of the formation is not similar to the other; R Size – diameter over 6 mm; About paint – uneven, random black, gray, pink spots.

Melanoma can grow in a mole or birthmark that is already there, but melanomas often grow on an unmarked area of ​​the skin. Although they can be found anywhere on the body, they are often found in the upper back in men and women and on the legs in women. Less commonly, they can occur on the feet, palms, nail beds, or mucous membranes that line body cavities such as the mouth, rectum, and vagina.

Many other skin conditions such as seborrheic keratosis, warts and basal cell carcinoma have symptoms similar to those of melanoma.

Bleeding or pain? This is a sign of serious skin damage!

Later signs of melanoma include:

• Crack or bleeding from a mole or other colored skin lesion.
• Pain in a mole or skin lesion.
• Enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the armpits and groin.
• Discolored swelling or thickening under the skin.
• Weight loss for no apparent reason.
• Gray skin (melanosis).

How is melanoma diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine your skin for melanoma. If he thinks you have melanoma, he will take a tissue sample from the area around the melanoma (biopsy). A pathologist examines this tissue for cancer cells.

If a biopsy indicates melanoma, you may need other tests to see if it has spread to the lymph nodes.

How is melanoma treated?

The most commonly used treatment is surgery to remove melanoma.This is all the treatment you may need if you have early stage melanoma that has not spread to other parts of the body.

After your surgery, you will see your doctor every 3 to 6 months for the next 5 years. During these visits, your doctor will check to see if the disease has returned and if you have new melanomas.

If the melanoma is very deep and has spread to the lymph nodes, you may need to take anticancer drugs to fight the cancer cells.

THE SUN IS NOT A FRIEND TO US!

The best way to prevent all types of skin cancer, including melanoma, is to protect yourself from sun exposure. It is important to avoid exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

• Avoid being in the sun in the middle of the day (10:00 am to 4:00 pm).
• When outdoors, wear protective clothing — a hat that shades your face, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants.
• The daily use of sunscreen should be a habit.Your sunscreen must have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB).
• Use a product with a higher sun protection factor if you are on an elevated position.
• Avoid sunbathing and artificial tanning (tanning beds).

Check your skin monthly for unusual spots, moles, or sores that won’t heal.Pay special attention to areas that are most exposed to the sun, such as the palms, arms and back. Ask your doctor to examine your skin during regular check-ups. See your doctor at least once a year. Although the most common cause of melanoma is excessive sun exposure, it can be found in areas of the body that are not exposed to it.

90,000 After sunburn, a lump on the forehead. How to remove facial swelling after sunburn

With the onset of summer, every lady is looking forward to when she will go to the sea to get a beautiful uniform chocolate tan.But expectations are not always met. Often there is swelling of the face after sunburn, which greatly spoils the overall picture. Why does it appear? And how to get rid of it? We will talk about this now.

If your face is swollen after sunburn, there may be many reasons for this. Firstly, this is the direct effect of sunlight on the skin. During this, the skin dries up, the body begins to turn on protective functions, saturating the cells with a large amount of water.This is necessary in order to prevent premature death of skin cells. As a result, edema appears.

Alcohol can provoke swelling of the face after sunburn. If you drank an alcoholic drink before sunbathing, you are guaranteed swelling. The thing is that ethyl alcohol, which is contained in these drinks, leads to a slowdown in metabolic processes in the body, which provokes the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the cells. And if, moreover, the sun’s rays affect the skin, then the process of outflow and inflow of fluid to the cells is greatly disturbed, which leads to the appearance of puffiness, which is very difficult to get rid of.

The cause of facial swelling after sunburn may be a burn. When it occurs, skin cells are damaged, the body is trying with all its might to protect them from death, saturating them with moisture.

Therefore, in order to avoid the appearance of puffiness of the face after sunburn, some rules should be followed:

• it is impossible to sunbathe in the period from 11:00 to 16:00, as at this time the sun’s rays are most active;
• before going to sunbathe, the skin should be lubricated with sunscreen;
• should completely stop drinking alcoholic beverages before going to sunbathe.

But these are all precautions. But what if the puffiness has already appeared? How to remove swelling from the face after sunburn? And for this you can use the means of alternative medicine, which we will now talk about.

If your face is swollen after sunburn, you do not know what to do about it, then you should seek help from alternative medicine. She invites us to use various compresses and lotions that help quickly eliminate facial swelling.

For example, green tea is an excellent folk remedy for facial puffiness after sunburn. It should be brewed in the usual way, cooled and moistened with gauze. After that, you need to attach it to your face and hold it for about half an hour. Then the gauze cloth should be removed, and the skin of the face should be wiped with a dry cloth.

Apple cider vinegar will also help eliminate swelling. It should be diluted with warm water at the rate of 1 glass of liquid per 2 tablespoons. vinegar essence. In the prepared solution, you need to soak a gauze cloth, apply it to your face and wait until it dries completely.After that, the gauze must be moistened again, and this should be done 4-5 times.

If you have comfrey grass at home, you can use it as well. Just make a tea from this herb and make a compress in the same way as with green tea.

Oatmeal can also help you eliminate facial swelling after sunburn. To do this, take oatmeal, grind them in a coffee grinder and pour the resulting powder with hot water so that you get a thick mass that will be convenient to apply on your face.This mask should be kept for 10-15 minutes, and then washed off with cool water.

We have considered the most effective ways to relieve facial swelling after sunburn. If they did not give a positive result and the swelling lasts more than 2 days, then you should seek help from a doctor.

Video about ways to get rid of edema

Almost everyone has experienced sunburn, and on the face it can be obtained not only as a result of a long stay on the beach, but also simply after a long walk in nature, even in cloudy weather.It is not necessary to consider it a harmless consequence of the action of the sun’s rays, the results can be the most disappointing.

Cause of sunburn

Sunburn is not caused by the sun’s heat, but by the action of ultraviolet radiation, which passes freely through the clouds. Skiers skiing in the mountains in winter often get a sunburn on their faces, they do not feel the heat and therefore lose their caution. The main danger is that the signs of a burn are not noticeable immediately, but after several hours of sun exposure.

Face after sunburn: symptoms

Symptoms of sunburn on the face appear, as a rule, 5-7 hours after exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. Usually there is redness, swelling, soreness to touch, and in severe cases, blisters occur. A few days later, the exfoliation and exfoliation of the skin begins, people say: “the skin will peel off.”

What is the danger of sunburn on the face

If there is a burn on the face, then the appearance of age spots, premature wrinkles, and general aging of the face cannot be avoided.But this, at least, is not hazardous to health. It is much worse when, with frequently recurring cases of sunburn, various skin diseases occur: photodermatosis and malignant neoplasms, which can lead to skin cancer. Few people know that prolonged exposure to sunlight can increase the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, even worse – macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness.

Sunburn of the face: treatment

So, from what has been said it is clear that a sunburn of the face is not a harmless scratch.It needs to be treated immediately.

First aid in this case consists in cooling, antiseptic treatment and moistening of the sunburn site, in serious cases – taking painkillers.

How to anoint your face after sunburn?

For cooling, you can use cucumber slices, tea bags, a napkin soaked in water, or just splash cool water on your face. If there are no open skin lesions, treat with chlorhexidine, or another antiseptic.As a last resort, you can apply a solution of potassium permanganate of a not very bright pink color. Do not treat the skin with products containing alcohol, wash with soap, because this will dry out the skin even more.

Then you can anoint the skin with an after-sun cream containing aloe vera or chamomile, or a pharmacy ointment containing dexpanthenol. Never use a greasy cream or petroleum jelly. The drug “Panthenol 911” helps well.

If you feel chills, you can take paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin.

If blisters have formed, they do not need to be pierced; an infection can enter the wound. Better to apply a scald spray.

Sunburn of the face, home treatment

It must be remembered that it is necessary to protect the face from the sun until complete recovery. Masks made of kefir, yogurt, low-fat sour cream, crude protein will help to treat the skin of the face after a sunburn, they perfectly relieve irritation and redness of the skin. You do not only need to allow the mask to dry and tighten the skin, it is better to wash it off more often and apply a new one.

Masks made from chopped vegetables help well: potatoes, carrots, cabbage. They should be applied to burnt places at least twice a day for 10-15 minutes.

Further treatment involves the same lubrication of the face with creams with chamomile, aloe vera, calendula, vitamin E. Vitamin can be bought at a pharmacy and taken internally at the same time, this will also accelerate skin regeneration. For the same purposes, it is recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits.

You can make a very effective lavender cream yourself.To do this, add 20 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of chamomile essential oil in 65 ml. body lotion (it is better to take with a minimum of additives) and mix well. The cream lasts well throughout the year.

And finally, you need to remember about the body’s water balance and to preserve it, drink more liquids: ordinary and mineral water, green tea, juices, fruit drinks, fruit drinks.

Facial edema after sunburn

Often, a sunburn of the face is accompanied by edema. At the same time, the skin is stretched, microtrauma occurs.This opens the gate of infection, because of this, inflammation is possible, and then scarring and pigmentation of the skin.

Causes of edema after sunburn

The cause of edema may be an allergy to ultraviolet light or damage to the deeper layers of the skin. With prolonged exposure to the sun, blood circulation is disturbed, the capillaries become more permeable. Because of this, the liquid penetrates into the intercellular space and accumulates in the tissues.

An allergic reaction is accompanied not only by swelling of the face, but also of the eyelids, tongue and lips, rashes and itching on the skin.If suddenly there are signs of worsening of the condition, such as pallor, cold sweat, threadlike pulse, loss of consciousness, you should immediately consult a doctor, this may be anaphylactic shock.

How to remove edema after sunburn

If there is an allergic reaction, antihistamines will help, for example: Suprastin, Tavegil, Zirtek.

If edema is just a manifestation of a reaction to damage to the inner layers of the skin, then they are well removed with lotions from a decoction of chamomile or calendula, aloe juice.If you are drinking green tea, the used tea bags can also be applied to the area of ​​the swelling. The masks described above from grated vegetables, cucumber slices in this case will also be quite effective.

In the end, I would like to say about the measures for the prevention of sunburn, which everyone knows, but not everyone follows. It is better to be in the sun in the evening and in the morning, it is better to sunbathe in the shade, apply a protective cream before going to the beach and periodically renew it on the skin. All this will help to avoid sunburn and enjoy a beautiful tan.

In pursuit of a fashionable beautiful tan, many girls, not calculating their strengths and capabilities, get sunburn. Peeling skin has never been fashionable, and the sensations during burns are such that you don’t even think about beauty.

Sunburn occurs as a result of excessive exposure to UV rays on the skin, so you can get sunburn not only on the beach, but also get burned in a solarium. To protect your skin from trouble, you need to skillfully use sunscreen while tanning, know your skin type well in order to determine the optimal time for exposure to the sun.

If you are not very badly burned, i.e. the skin is reddened, peeling, there are no large blisters, which means that you can cope with burns on your own with the help of folk remedies or medicines from the nearest pharmacy. If large blisters develop, your skin is badly damaged and you should see a doctor immediately.

First aid for sunburn

1.
After a sunburn, first of all, hide from the sun indoors, as outdoors under a canopy you are still exposed to UV radiation.

If the blisters are very large, see a doctor immediately.

3.
A cold compress or shower can help relieve pain.

4.
Apply cold aloe juice or a soothing after-sun cream to the affected area. Remember that in no case should you grease the burn with butter or vegetable oil!

How to properly treat burns

If your skin is very hot, you need some rest. Avoid sun exposure until the burn is completely healed.

If the burn is not severe, the skin is only reddened and burns a little, use soothing after sun creams. They cool the skin, restore, moisturize, relieve itching.

The most correct drugs for sunburn, doctors consider sprays and creams containing panthenol (for example, the drug Panthenol spray). For burns accompanied by blistering and cracking of the skin, Solcoseryl cream is an excellent remedy.

To relieve pain, fever and inflammation, it is recommended to take the usual pain relievers – aspirin, ibuprofen.

Burnt skin is very dry and can be softened with calamine lotion. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Never pierce blisters or peel loose skin. You can get an infection, cause bleeding, discoloration of the skin.

Vitamins for skin renewal. Burned skin needs vitamins to repair itself. After cooling, apply a vitamin E cream to the skin, it will also be beneficial to take vitamin E by mouth.This will help the burns heal faster and leave no residue. When treating large sunburns, it is recommended to additionally take vitamins C and D.

Sunburn: folk remedies

Potato masks
against sunburn. Potatoes are one of the most effective folk remedies for sunburn. It can be used raw, cooked, or you can buy pure potato starch.

1. Lightly sprinkle potato starch over scalded skin several times a day.The skin will calm down and heal faster. Starch can be diluted in water and applied to the sore spot in the form of lotions.

2. Grate raw potatoes, chill in the refrigerator, apply to cheesecloth and apply to the burn as a compress for 15 minutes. This recipe helps with both sunburn and sun allergies.

3. Boil the potatoes in their skins, then peel and beat in a blender with sour cream. Apply to burned skin for half an hour, then rinse with water at room temperature.Burns go away very quickly.

Sour cream against burns
. In folk medicine, it is a very popular remedy for sunburn, as dairy products soften, cool the skin and soothe the burning sensation. Just grease burns with chilled sour cream or kefir several times a day. When the sour cream begins to dry on the skin and you feel tight, wash it off with a damp cotton swab and apply fresh. Attention: if your skin is severely damaged, there are large blisters, this method of treatment cannot be used, the result may be the opposite.

Curd compress
will help cool the skin and relieve pain. Wrap the curd in cheesecloth and freeze slightly until firm. Apply to burnt skin as a compress. You can add some buttermilk to the curd, apply the mixture on a towel and apply to the burn for 30 minutes. Change the compress to a new one as it warms up. Cottage cheese can be replaced with sour cream, kefir or sour yogurt.

Oat flakes with sour cream
for burns. Mix the steamed flakes with chilled sour cream or milk and apply on the skin for 15 minutes, rinse with water.Repeat several times throughout the day until the condition improves.

Egg white
draws heat from the skin, soothes, softens, accelerates healing. Just chill the protein in the freezer and apply to the skin with a cotton swab, rinse with water as it dries and apply a new layer.

Cabbage leaves
is a popular burn remedy that quickly cools and soothes the skin, relieves swelling, and relieves pain. It is better to pour boiling water over the cabbage so that the leaves become soft and docile, then cool them slightly and wrap the painful places, secure with a bandage.

With the help of herbal compresses, you can simultaneously cool, moisturize the skin, reduce pain and, thanks to the property of medicinal herbs, accelerate healing.

Prepare an infusion of chamomile, elderberry, calendula, or lavender. Chill the broth in the refrigerator, then apply lotions to the burnt places.

Black or green tea lotions effectively cool and soothe the skin, relieve pain and irritation. Brew a few tea bags, chill in the freezer, and apply to the burned areas.

Aloe.
Another magical remedy for sunburn, which perfectly moisturizes, cools and quickly regenerates burnt skin, this is chilled aloe juice. You can buy aloe gel at the pharmacy.

Cucumber juice
– a popular folk remedy for sunburn, cools, soothes the skin, relieves itching and irritation, promotes rapid healing. Chill the cucumber, cut into small slices or finely grate and apply as compresses several times a day.

Parsley mask
from burns. Parsley can be used fresh or made into a decoction. Cool the parsley, grind the leaves into a fine gruel, apply to the problem skin as a lotion for 15 minutes. Vitamins A and C, contained in parsley in large quantities, will help speed up the process of skin regeneration and relieve swelling.

Essential oil for sunburn

For minor minor burns, you can moisten the skin with cool water with the addition of a few drops of chamomile essential oil.

For severe burns with blisters and open sores, dilute a few drops of lavender oil in water and gently dampen the damaged skin.

To soften dry skin when treating burns, it is useful to rub wheat germ oil into it.

1.
Severe sunburn of the skin may cause swelling. Sunburn on the face and neck can cause breathing difficulties. In this case, immediate medical attention is required.

2.
If large areas of the skin on the arms and legs are affected, blood circulation may be impaired.If you notice that your hand or foot is numb or blue, see your doctor right away.

3.
To speed up the healing of burns, do not wear coarse synthetic fabrics. Clothing should be loose, silk or cotton.

4.
Do not forget that prolonged exposure to the open sun can get heatstroke.

Skin may be burned after prolonged exposure to the open sun
… In addition to redness, itching and burning, tissue swelling is noted at the site of the burn.The article will tell you about what to do

, if your leg is swollen after sunburn and how to prevent this unpleasant symptom.

Causes of leg edema after sun exposure

The occurrence of edema is associated with impaired permeability of fluid in organs and soft tissues of a person. If the passage of small vessels and capillaries is difficult, the degree of their permeability increases, and the liquid may end up in the intercellular space, forming edema.

Exposure to direct sunlight is a frequent trigger of this phenomenon. Intense heat causes the body temperature to rise, blood vessels dilate, and the circulation fails. Liquid is not discharged outside
naturally and edema occurs at the site of its accumulation
. This is why swelling and swelling of the legs is so common after sunburn.

Swelling can appear not only under the influence of the sun, but also after visiting a tanning salon and other places where equipment emitting ultraviolet rays is located.

Symptoms

Sunburn can be identified by the following signs:

itching and burning of the skin;

redness;

peeling;

appearance of a rash;

occurrence of liquid-filled bubbles;

increase in body temperature;

puffiness.

Edema can be self-diagnosed

as follows: press your fingers to the lower leg, hold for 3-4 seconds, release and look at the result.In normal condition, the skin should regain its elasticity in a few seconds. If there is swelling, noticeable depressions will remain on the skin. Also, symptoms may include heaviness in the legs, tingling sensation and discomfort when moving.

Treatment

If, after being outdoors, a burn appears, one leg or both extremities are swollen, treatment should be started immediately. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to various complications: leg cramps, discoloration of the skin, the occurrence of trophic ulcers due to compression of soft tissues.The methods of therapy will depend on the degree of skin damage and the individual characteristics of the human body.

First aid

First aid for edema after sunburn is to cool the skin, prevent blistering and dehydration. The first thing to do is leave

indoors,
away from sunlight

. A bath of cool water will help cool and soothe the skin.

If redness and the appearance of a small rash are noticeable at the site of the burn, the symptoms indicate the presence of an allergic reaction of the skin to ultraviolet light.To eliminate irritation, it is possible to use antihistamines of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations. Modern doctors give preference to drugs of the 2nd and 3rd generations – they do not cause drowsiness and addiction, and also retain a longer-lasting effect.

Most popular and effective antihistamines:

For 1st and 2nd degree burns (no blistering with liquid), apply an after-sun cream or lotion. In its absence, a regular fat baby cream will do. You can also use traditional medicines that promote the regeneration of skin cells: cream and ointment Bepanten plus, D-Panthenol, Baneocin.

There is a popular misconception that sunflower oil should be applied to the burn area to relieve the condition. This is not true! The use of such a remedy will not relieve pain, but, on the contrary, will reduce the effectiveness of the treatment and slow down the recovery of the skin.

If bubbles filled with liquid appear on the skin, do not open them or lubricate them with anything. It is necessary to immediately call an ambulance team or go to a medical institution on your own. Self-medication can cause serious health damage.

If edema occurs on the skin, do not limit yourself to liquid. On the contrary, in order to prevent dehydration of the body, it is necessary to drink as much clean cool water as possible. The threat of dehydration is due to the growth of free radicals (waste products of the body) during edema. Drinking plenty of fluids will help flush out toxins.

Reduce edema will help
the following actions:

taking a contrast shower – alternately pouring cool and warm water on your feet;

throwing the legs up, leaning them against a wall or a high pillow;

light massage in a circular motion in places of swollen areas;

excluding fatty, spicy and salty foods from your diet – it can aggravate the situation;

temporary abandonment of tight shoes and high-heeled shoes;

the use of folk remedies to combat puffiness.

Traditional methods

Before starting the treatment of edema, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the skin burn. Let’s consider the most effective methods:

Grated potatoes
– the product will help cool the skin, reduce pain and speed up the process of tissue regeneration. Application: grate raw peeled potatoes and fix with gauze in place of the burn for 10-15 minutes.

Fermented milk products
– will help soften and cool damaged skin, relieve burning and itching.Application: remove sour cream, kefir or any other fermented milk drink from the refrigerator, gently apply to the skin and leave to absorb.

Potato starch
– will help cool the skin, prevent the appearance of blisters. Application: sprinkle starch on the damaged areas in an even thin layer. It can also be used as a compress. To do this, potato starch should be diluted in warm water until it is mushy.

After the symptoms of the burn have been relieved, the edema can be treated. Folk remedies that eliminate swelling of the legs after sunburn:

Herbal baths
… Several types of herbs are suitable for the method: chamomile flowers, mint, birch buds, sage, lemon balm. Application: in 2 liters of hot water add 5 tbsp. tablespoons of the selected herb, leave to infuse for 30 minutes. Pour the infusion into the bathroom with prepared warm water. Procedure time: 15-20 minutes.

Salt baths
… If the leg is swollen, and there is no visible damage on the skin, sea or steamed salt will help remove the swelling.Application: pour 5 liters of warm water into a basin, add 300 g of salt and stir until it disappears completely. Lower your legs into the resulting solution and hold for 10-15 minutes.

Diuretic herbs
… There are many plants in nature that have diuretic (diuretic) properties. They will help remove stagnant fluid from the body and improve blood circulation.

Most popular diuretic herbs:

parsley;

juniper;

hibiscus;

dandelion;

rose hips;

hawthorn berries.

Application: add 20-30 g of the selected herb to a glass of boiling water, leave to infuse and drink during the day. The course of treatment should be 5-7 days.

Prevention

In order for the swelling of the legs not to darken the summer vacation, the following recommendations should be adhered to:

Do not go out to sunbathe during peak hours of solar activity – from 11:00 to 16:00.

Stay in the shade (this will not interfere with tanning).

Before going out into the sun, apply a sunscreen to the body.The degree of protection will depend on the type of skin and the geography of the destination. The most suitable remedy is sunscreen or emulsion with SPF 50.

During rest, exclude fatty, smoked and salty foods from your diet, as it retains fluid in the body. It is also recommended to refrain from alcoholic beverages, which can increase the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin.

When taking antibiotics, you should refrain from outdoor recreation. This group of medicines is capable of increasing the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet light and provoking burns.

In clothing, give preference to clothing made from natural materials (silk, chintz, linen, cotton).

After bathing, damp skin should be patted dry with a towel. Water droplets have the ability to attract the sun’s rays, thereby contributing to tissue edema and burns.

Subject to the above measures, outdoor recreation will not be overshadowed by unpleasant consequences and will be able to be remembered by you for a long time.

The long-awaited, but sometimes dangerous summer has come, because it is during this period that radiation injuries occur, which provoke edema after a sunburn.In such a situation, it is important to provide the victim with qualified first aid and to continue further anti-burn therapy with appropriate drugs.

Reasons

It is often easiest to get such an injury on the face or legs, depending on the site of localization, the treatment and recovery time differ.

Swelling of the lower limbs

Swelling of the legs after sunburn is caused by damage to the skin, which leads to a violation of the outflow of fluid.

This can be prevented by following the rules for being on the beach. You should not be zealous with tanning from the first day of your vacation, do not visit the beach from 10:00 to 15:00, apply protective and soothing creams on your legs after sunbathing.

Long exposure to burning rays negatively affects the skin, provoking not only thermal damage, which entails the appearance of puffiness, which in most cases can be cured at home.

Swelling of the face

To varying degrees, everyone received facial swelling from sunburn and associated complications: redness, burning, pain, and in more severe cases, blisters.

When the face is swollen after a sunburn, the problem can be localized in the eyelids or nose, unilateral swelling is possible. It depends directly on the amount of ultraviolet radiation received.

The mechanism is quite simple – under the influence of a large number of UV rays, dysfunction of the microcirculation of the liquid in the capillaries occurs. With a sunburn, cerebrospinal fluid and physiological fluid accumulate in the subcutaneous tissue.

Emergency actions for radiation injury

When UV damage occurs, it is important to provide quality first aid for burns:

1. If your legs are swollen after sunburn or your face is burned, you must first take the victim out of the sun, preferably in the shade, in a cool room.
2. Use any available method to cool the injured surface, for example, apply a damp cloth, splash a glass of cold water on your face.
3. To prevent dizziness, weakness, fainting, give the victim a large amount of cool liquid to drink.
4. In the event that there are open injuries, rinse the blisters with Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, Furacilin or any other antiseptic.

Important! If edema is observed during sunburn, in no case should it be treated with alcoholic tinctures, soap.This additionally injures the skin and aggravates the situation.

1. To reduce pain, chills, you need to take Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, aspirin will help prevent swelling.
2. After that, treat the damaged areas with an anti-inflammatory drug, you can use “Panthenol”, “Bepantel”, “Pantestin”.
3. To prevent swelling of the extremities after sun damage to the skin, it is recommended to drink the antihistamine “Suprastin”, “Diazolin”.

Drug therapy

An important step in helping with burns is the use of creams and ointments for treatment, which allow to prevent swelling in time, quickly eliminate it and accelerate the healing process of injured skin.

All medicines for edema in case of sunburn must be used after consulting a doctor, strictly according to the instructions:

1. “Olazol” is a combined preparation, has anesthetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, significantly reduces puffiness, promotes the regeneration of damaged tissues, significantly accelerates the healing process.
2. “Kremgen” is a dermatological corticosteroid agent, in combination with an antibiotic, very effectively helps in the fight against sunburn of the face accompanied by edema.
3. To remove the pain syndrome, it is recommended to take standard anesthetic drugs according to the instructions: “Aspirin”, “Ibuprofen”, “Ketanov”, “Nise”.
4. “Levomekol” is developed on the basis of several antibiotics, removes inflammation, redness, and prevents edema after sunburn.
5. “Bepantel” soothes burnt skin, relieves inflammation, and helps quick healing.
6. “Panthenol” on the basis of medicinal preparations, vitamins, effectively eliminates edema after sunburn, is well absorbed.
7. If the problem is caused by an allergy to ultraviolet light, it is necessary to take antihistamines, for example, Suprastin, Tsetrin.

Important! If blisters form at the site of the injury, do not pierce them under any circumstances, this can provoke infection.

1. For better healing and regeneration of the skin, it is necessary to take vitamin “C”, “E”, if there are extensive swelling of the extremities after a sunburn, it is recommended to drink additional vitamin “D”.
2. In the case when the edema has spread to the entire face and does not subside for a long time, accompanied by itching, experts advise to include anti-inflammatory antihistamines in the course of treatment, the effect of which is aimed at eliminating swelling and irritation “Fenistil”.
3. Under the influence of the sun’s rays, many free radicals appear in the body, which can be eliminated by pomegranate juice or strong green tea.

Important! In case of deterioration of health, pallor, dizziness, increased symptoms.And also if standing is accompanied by a feeling of heat, you need to call an ambulance.

Folk recipes

Proven alternative medicines can be added to the main treatment for sunburn on a face with edema:

• Apply fresh cucumber juice in the form of compresses, make gruel from the vegetable. This will help cool the injury, relieve burning and itching, soothe the skin, and effectively deal with puffiness.
• A good traditional medicine – a compress from a decoction of parsley, apply for 15-20 minutes three times a day.It helps to speed up tissue regeneration, relieve swelling and pain.
• Lotions from curd, wrapped in sterile gauze, cool the injured area, reduce pain, fight swelling of the face after sunburn.
• A mixture of sour cream with oatmeal relieves swelling, burning, redness. To do this, you need to steam the flakes (200 g), pour in 1 glass of sour cream, stir, apply for 15-20 minutes. Repeat until the condition improves 3-4 times a day.
• If your legs are swollen after sunburn, raw potatoes applied to the burned area (grated fine gruel) for 20-30 minutes a day will help well.The tool removes swelling, pain and redness.
• Apple cider vinegar compress relieves puffiness and associated burn symptoms. To do this, mix 1 tbsp in 250 ml of boiled cold water. l. vinegar, mix thoroughly. Moisten sterile gauze in the resulting solution and apply to the wound until completely dry.
• Strong green tea can be used at home. It relieves redness due to the presence of antioxidants, has an analgesic effect, removes edema.Soak gauze in the tea leaves, apply to the injured area for 20-30 minutes.
• The protein of a raw egg helps to relieve puffiness, helps to reduce the temperature of the burned area, and stimulates healing. This method of getting rid of leg edema after a sunburn is permissible for use only if the skin is intact. It is necessary to cool the protein in the refrigerator and apply a moistened cotton swab to the injured area, rinse the area after the mass is completely dry.

Sunburn of the face with edema is an unpleasant condition accompanied by burning, redness and pain of the injured area.With timely assistance, competent treatment, the swelling will completely disappear in 5-7 days. If this does not happen, it is necessary to consult a doctor to adjust the therapy regimen.

90,000 Stomatitis and other inflammations of the oral mucosa in adults

What is stomatitis and other lesions of the oral mucosa?
Oral irritation and lesions are swelling, rash, or sores in the mouth, lips or tongue. Although there are different types of oral lesions and diseases, some of the most common are stomatitis, herpes, leukoplakia, and candidiasis (thrush).

What is inflammation of the oral mucosa and other lesions?
Oral irritation and lesions are swelling, rash, or sores in the mouth, lips or tongue. Although there are different types of oral lesions and diseases, some of the most common are stomatitis, herpes, leukoplakia, and candidiasis (thrush). We will talk about them below. If you have oral lesions, you are not alone – about a third of all people experience the same problem.However, oral lesions, inflammation of the mucous membranes and wounds on it can be painful, unpleasant to look at and interfere with eating and speaking normally. Any lesion of the oral mucosa that persists for a week or longer should be shown to a dentist. You may be advised to have a biopsy (taking tissue for research), which can usually determine the cause of the disease and rule out the possibility of serious diseases such as cancer and HIV.

How do I know if I have stomatitis or other lesions of the oral mucosa?
Stomatitis and other lesions of the oral mucosa may be indicated by the following symptoms:

• Stomatitis – Small white sores surrounded by redness.Although stomatitis is not contagious, it is often confused with rashes that are caused by the herpes virus. It should be remembered that stomatitis manifests itself inside the mouth, and herpetic eruptions usually appear on the outside. Stomatitis may recur from time to time. It can be mild (small rashes), severe (large rashes), or herpes-like (clusters or clusters of numerous rashes).
• Stomatitis is a common disease that often recurs.Although the exact cause is unknown, dentists believe it could be due to a weakened immune system, exposure to bacteria or viruses. In addition, factors such as stress, injury, allergies, cigarette smoking, iron deficiency or vitamin deficiency, and heredity can play a role.
• Rashes, also called fever on the lips or herpes simplex, are groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters located around the lips and sometimes under the nose or around the chin.Cold sores are usually caused by a type of herpes virus and are highly contagious. Often, herpes infection occurs in childhood, sometimes it is asymptomatic and can be confused with a cold or flu. After infection, the virus remains in the body, repeating attacks from time to time. However, in some people, this virus is inactive.
• Leukoplakia appears as thick, whitish plaques on the inside of the cheeks, gums, or tongue.It is often associated with smoking and smokeless tobacco use, although it can also be caused by poorly fitted dentures, broken teeth, and chewing on one side of the jaw. Since an estimated 5% of leukoplakia cases progress to cancer *, your dentist may perform a biopsy. Leukoplakia often heals after quitting tobacco.
• Candidiasis (oral thrush) is a fungal infection caused by the fungus candida albicans. The symptom of the disease is creamy, yellowish-white or red plaques on the mucous membrane of the mouth.The plaque can be painful. Thrush is most common in people who develop dry mouth for various reasons, or who are undergoing or have recently received antibiotic treatment. The risk group includes people wearing dentures, newborns, patients weakened by diseases, as well as those with a weakened immune system.

How is inflammation of the oral mucosa and other lesions treated?
Treatment depends on the type of disease. Most of the typical disorders and lesions of the oral mucosa described above are treated as follows:

• Stomatitis – Stomatitis usually resolves in 7-10 days, although recurrences of the disease are possible.Over-the-counter ointments and pain relievers can provide temporary relief. Gargling with an antibacterial mouthwash can reduce inflammation and pain. In some severe and persistent cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics to suppress the bacteria that cause the disease. In any case, if signs of stomatitis appear, immediately contact your dentist in order to diagnose the disease in a timely manner and begin the correct treatment.
• Herpetic rash – If you have a characteristic herpetic rash, see your dentist immediately.The blisters usually heal in about a week. Since herpes infections cannot be completely cured, rashes can reappear during nervous shocks, sun exposure, allergies or the flu. Over-the-counter local anesthetics may provide temporary relief. Prescription antiviral medications can help treat this type of viral infection.
• Leukoplakia – Mandatory consultation with a doctor. The main treatment is aimed at combating the factors that cause leukoplakia.For some patients, this means quitting tobacco. For others, this means replacing dentures with ones that are more fitting to the jaws. Your dentist will monitor your condition, examining you at intervals of 3-6 months, depending on the type, location and size of the lesions.
• Candidiasis – Serious disease requiring diagnosis and consultation with a dentist.
  • Prevention of fungal infection consists in avoiding situations leading to the disease.
  • The main cause of illness is often antibiotic therapy or oral contraceptives. In these cases, lowering the dose or changing the drug can help to avoid the development of the disease.
  • To avoid any trouble with dentures, they need to be cleaned. You should also remove your dentures at night.
  • Saliva substitutes are helpful for dry mouth.
  • In some cases, after examination by a dentist, it becomes necessary to prescribe antifungal drugs that suppress the vital activity of the fungi that caused the disease.
  • Careful oral hygiene is imperative.

* Complete Dental Care Guide. – Jeffrey F. Taintor, DDS, MS, and Mary Jane Taintor, 1997.

90,000 why teenagers get acne

Pimples are common during adolescence, which will subside by the adolescence period.Acne is largely due to hormonal imbalances and imperfect facial and body skin care skills. However, knowing the exact causes and mechanisms of the development of pathology, it is easier to help a child.

What is acne and what causes it?

Acne is a change in the skin of the face and body that manifests itself in the form of various types of rashes (pimples). They can be blackheads, whiteheads, pus-filled pimples, or cysts (filled with clear content). In adolescents, acne appears primarily due to hormonal changes associated with puberty.

However, a hereditary line is also traced, which determines the characteristics of metabolism. If a child’s parents had acne during their teens, they are more likely to have a problem as well. However, the good news is that for most people, acne is almost completely gone by the time it reaches maturity (18-22 years).

Mechanism of acne development

Our hormones are one of the main causes of acne in both adults and adolescents.In general, there are many different causes associated with acne, but it is often a hormonal disorder. Hormones are responsible for the development of the sebaceous glands, and when they mature, during puberty, we get acne. During puberty, the body produces excess male hormones (androgens) that stimulate the production of sebum in the sebaceous glands, and excess sebum production (known as seborrhea) is one of the symptoms that can lead to acne.

Hormones affect boys and girls differently, although testosterone (the male sex hormone) levels rise during puberty in both men and women.In men, this leads to the growth of the penis and testicles. In women, it increases muscle and bone strength. Testosterone surges also cause acne, which is why it is so common during adolescence. Up to 70% of young people deal with problem skin prone to acne during puberty. In most cases, acne improves significantly after puberty. However, up to 40% of all adults (25+) suffer from acne at least from time to time. Surprisingly, 75–85% of them are women.

This is where the differences begin. While in men hormones stabilize over the years, in women they continue to fluctuate. In particular, between the ages of 20 and 40, and then again during menopause, women are particularly prone to hormone-induced acne. There are three factors behind this:

• Menstrual cycle
• Pregnancy
• Menopause

According to a dermatological study, over 60% of all women with acne experience regular premenstrual worsening of their symptoms.This is because the female menstrual cycle causes hormone levels to rise and fall, and the skin is affected differently at different times of the month.

Types of acne in adolescence

The specific type of acne that teens most often get is called acne vulgaris (the meaning of the word “vulgaris” is not as bad as it sounds – it means “common type”). The rash usually appears on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest.

Hair follicles or pores in your skin contain sebaceous glands.These glands produce sebum, an oily substance that lubricates hair and skin. In most cases, the sebaceous glands produce the required amount of sebum, which only moisturizes the cell surface. However, as the body begins to mature and develop, hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands, which begin to produce more sebum.

The pores of the skin are clogged with excess sebum and too many dead skin cells.Bacteria living on the skin (especially those called Propionibacterium acnes) can enter the pores and multiply in the nutrient medium formed by the mixture of sebum and dead cells. This causes swelling and redness of the tissues in the area of ​​the pore opening – this is the beginning of the development of acne.

If the pore closes and closes, but sticks out of the skin, a white dot remains. If the pore becomes clogged but remains open, the top surface may darken and a so-called black dot forms.Sometimes the pore wall becomes thinner, allowing sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to penetrate under the skin. Then a small red bump called a pimple forms (sometimes pimples contain pus). From above, the pimple turns red and swells, as the body’s reaction to a bacterial infection.
Clogged pores that are very deep in the skin can form nodules. They are infected bumps or cysts that are larger than acne and can be painful. Sometimes large pimple-like cysts can be boils caused by staphylococcus infestation into the pores.

What can be done with acne?

To prevent the buildup of sebum, which can contribute to acne, teens should wash their face once or twice a day with mild soap and warm water. Do not rub your face with napkins, a sponge or any harsh, abrasive compounds – acne cannot be cleaned out, and such an aggressive effect can aggravate them, irritating the skin and pores.

You can try to cleanse your face with gentle and delicate products. When it comes to girls who wear makeup or sunscreen, you need to make sure they are labeled as “non-comedogenic” or “non-fungal”.This means it won’t clog pores or cause acne breakouts. And when a girl washes her face, you first need to remove all makeup so that you can thoroughly cleanse the pores from impurities.

Important to know!

Sunlight and sunburn do not help fight acne. While tanning can temporarily make pimples less severe and less severe, it won’t help them go away permanently. Some people find that the oil secreted by their skin after sun exposure makes them worse and acne worsens.

If a teenager uses hair sprays or gels, you need to try to keep them away from the face, since the compounds, getting to the surface, can also clog the pores. If your teen has long hair that touches the face, be sure to wash it often enough so that the sebum does not get to the surface of the skin. If teenagers are engaged in activities that lead to sweating and increased sebum production, they are in a dusty environment, be sure to wash their face well when the child returns home.Washing your face after an active workout can also help.

Recommendations for therapy

Many cleansing, preventative, and healing lotions and creams that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide help prevent acne breakouts while at the same time helping to get rid of the breakouts that have already started. You can try several options to determine which one will be most effective in fighting breakouts. Be sure to follow all the instructions exactly: do not use more product than necessary at a time (the skin may become too dry and the child will feel and look worse), strictly follow the instructions on the allergy testing label.
Some adolescents quickly notice that their breakouts become more severe when they eat too much of a certain food (fast food, spicy, fatty or sweet). If the breakouts are frequent, it is worth trying to cut back on the irritating food to see what happens.

If acne still appears?

Sometimes, even if they wash their face properly and use lotions and makeup without oily components, teenagers still get acne – and this is completely normal.For example, some girls who usually see a specialist for acne may find that the rash disappears a few days before the onset of menstruation. This is called premenstrual acne, and in about 7 out of 10 women, it occurs as a result of hormone changes in the body.

Some teens with acne may be helped by a beautician or dermatologist (doctor who specializes in skin problems). A specialist can treat acne with prescription medications. Depending on the type and number of acne, this could mean using prescription creams that prevent acne from forming, taking antibiotics to kill bacteria that contribute to acne, or, if acne is severe, taking stronger medications or even minor surgery or invasive procedures.A visit to a gynecologist and the selection of drugs can partially solve the problem.

What is important to remember!

If a teenager looks in the mirror and sees a pimple, you shouldn’t touch it, squeeze it, squeeze it or pick it. Trying to get rid of a pimple quickly can be very tempting.