DON'T BE RASH!

Activities like gardening, mountain biking, family hikes, or nature walks with proper safety measures in place can all help boost our immune systems with healthy doses of Vitamin D, but they also put skin at risk of conditions like rashes and overexposure to the sun… 

HEAT RASH /

Hot weather increases the likelihood of blocked sweat glands, which cause this itchy, goosebump-like rash to appear. When our beaches were open, the combination of layers of thick sunscreen and snug-fitting rash guards caused quite a few heat rash outbreaks, especially in children – but averting heat rash is simple:

·       Opt for light, loose clothing

·       Schedule outdoor activity anytime outside of the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. window (the hottest part of the day)

·       Apply sunscreen (choose from our SkinCeuticals range, which offers broad spectrum coverage while still being weightless enough to avoid clogging pores)

·       Keep your environment as cool as possible (leave windows open so air can circulate, turn on fans/air conditioners when necessary)

·       Take cool showers

SUNBURN /

In tropical climates like the Caribbean, sunburn is all too common, which is why we’re staunch advocates of these prevention methods:

·       Be vigilant with the sunscreen (whichever product you use should be at least SPF 30; reapply every two hours or so when outdoors)

·       Stay in shady spots as much as much as possible

·       Choose protective accessories (sunglasses, hats and face masks help shield sensitive areas) 

If you’re already suffering from sunburn:

·       Treat the area with cool compresses

·       Take intermittent cool showers several times a day to ease the stinging (if the pressure of the water on your skin is too much, try soaking in a tub instead)

·       Moisturise the area with our SkinCeuticals Daily Moisturizer, which hydrates deeply but feels light on the skin

INSECT BITES /

Bugs are an expected part of living in the tropics; though most are harmless, some insect encounters can be irritating or – in the case of mosquitoes, for example, which can transmit serious diseases like dengue fever – downright dangerous:

·       Cover up as much as possible (when venturing into bushy areas, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-up shoes)

·       Bring out the insect repellent (make sure the active ingredients contain at least 20% DEET)

·       For bites like bee stings, over-the-counter painkillers that contain ibuprofen are effective, as is taking an antihistamine like Piriton

·       For mosquito bites (and others that itch), hydrocortisone creams are the way to go

If these at-home remedies are not working, however, and the rash gets worse, please give us a call so that one of our dermatologists can take a closer look and recommend a suitable course of treatment. Rest assured that we are stringent when it comes to COVID-19 safety protocols.