5 Summer health issues you didn’t know existed

We are entering peak summer season and already there are cases of sun stroke, acne that has aggravated, sunburn, dehydration, conjunctivitis etc.

However there are some not so common health issues that a person might encounter during summer if not taken proper precautions.  Check out some of these rare but common during summer health issues that you need to be aware of –

Folliculitis

We have heard and experienced acne on the face which during summer is very common as the skin becomes very oily and attracts dirt and dust leading to acne.

Did you know even scalp gets acne like breakouts? Yes, it is mostly seen during the summer season. 

Every hair on your body grows out of an opening called a follicle. When follicles get infected, you develop folliculitis. Infected hair follicles look like pimples, but they tend to be itchy and tender.

Steps taken to prevent folliculitis – 

• Post workout or gymming, remove those tight fitting workout clothes and take a bath.
• If you are prone to folliculitis, be vary of hot tub baths or pools where chlorine content is not specified.
• Wear light fitting cotton cloths to enable air circulation.

• Melasma

Melasma is a common skin problem that causes brown, tan, grayish brown, or bluish gray patches on the face, depending on your skin tone. Although the exact causes of melasma are unclear, one of the triggers include sunlight.

Apply sunscreen to all skin not covered by clothing. Choose a sunscreen that offers:

• Broad-spectrum protection
• Water-resistance
• SPF of 30 or more
• Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to physically limit the effects of the sun’s rays on your skin and iron oxide

• Sun allergy

Sun allergy is not the same as sunstroke or sunburn. Sun allergy is a group of conditions causing a rash on the skin due to prolonged exposure to Sun or UV rays.

The most common form of sun allergy is Polymorphous light eruption. It is characterized by tiny, inflamed bumps or slightly raised patches of skin. The reaction usually happens during spring and early summer when exposure to sunlight increases.

To prevent sun allergy, protect your skin from the sun. You can do this by seeking shade, wearing sun-protective clothes, and applying sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, and an SPF of 30 or more.

• Summer depression

What has depression got to do with summer? Quite a bit in fact!

Summer depression is way more common than you think. People with summer-pattern seasonal affective disorder (SAD) typically experience common symptoms of depression for about four or five months each year when the weather is warmer, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Specific symptoms of summer depression often include loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss, and anxiety. 

There is no exact cause for the same but experts say that longer days, being indoors, heat and humidity can cause depression in susceptible people.

Preventive measures – 

• Identify the triggers and work towards avoiding them
• Get sufficient sleep 
• Keep yourself well hydrated – dehydration can trigger fatigue and depression
• Immerse in a cold water tub to reduce the temperature.
• Eat foods which provide a cooling effect to the body like sweet basil seeds (sabja) and millets like finger millet (ragi), sattu and buttermilk.

• Urinary tract infection

Although UTI is very common especially in women, experts have seen its surge especially during summer months. There could be many reasons for the same – insufficient water intake, low immunity levels, low intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables, use of unhygienic public toilets to name a few.

It is required to take some necessary precautions to prevent UTI during summer – 

• Ensure 3 liters of water intake either with plain water or fruit induced water or by intake of herbal teas, buttermilk, home made juices etc.
• When the use of a public toilet is inevitable, try squatting instead of sitting on the toilet seat which may be infected with microbes.
• Wear loose fitting cotton cloths for a good air circulation that will keep the vaginal and urinary area dry and not moist which may attract bacteria or fungal growth.
• Consume fresh fruits and vegetables which are in season, this will provide the necessary micronutrients especially vitamin C to boost immunity. They include melons, mangoes, grapes, cucumber, radish etc.

With proper precautions, Summer can be enjoyed for all its worth!