Thanks to high temperatures and days spent near water, summer is the time of year that we show off our skin the most. Exposing skin may keep you cool, but it comes at a risk—for burns, bug bites, and skin rashes from poisonous plants. It’s always good to check in to make sure you’re properly caring for and protecting your skin.
8 summer skin problems and solutions
- Sunburn
- Bug bites
- Poisonous plants
- Acne
- Folliculitis
- Heat rash
- Eczema flare-ups
- Swimmer’s itch
1. Sunburn
It’s no secret that leaving your skin unprotected from the sun can lead to skin cancer. The AAD estimates that roughly 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer daily. With so many summer days spent outside basking in the sun, it’s important to take extra care to avoid sunburn.
- The first step is using a broad spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB rays each and every time you go outside, says Zain Husain, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey. Exposure to UVA waves can cause long-term damage, including skin cancer, while exposure to UVB leads to short-term damage like sunburn. It’s best to get in the habit of putting sunscreen on daily in the morning as we are exposed to the sun even while in the car. Pick an affordable sunscreen that feels and smells good, so that you will use it daily.
- On top of sunscreen, Dr. Husain recommends wearing large-brimmed hats, UV protective clothing, and UV resistant sunglasses to shield your skin and eyes from harmful radiation.
- Additionally, Dr. Husain suggests taking supplements like Heliocare to protect against the damage caused by UV radiation and free radicals.
If you do get burned, read more here about how to treat it (and what a healthcare provider can and can’t do to help).
2. Bug bites
You’ve been spending hours outdoors, in nature. Unfortunately, getting close with wildlife can mean bug bites.
- Avoid pesky bug bites in the first place with bug spray—it should be your first line of defense against mosquitoes and ticks—and not just any homemade concoction. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using a formula that contains either DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus extract, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. You can use this guide from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the best kind for each outdoor situation you encounter.
- Monitor bites for unusual signs. If you get a mosquito bite, watch for hives (a large area of swelling and redness) and/or a low fever. These symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction from the bite or a variety of viruses including Zika and West Nile virus. If you experience these signs, see your primary care provider.
- Perform a skin check, looking for ticks after spending time outdoors. Ticks look like black or brown lesions attached to the skin. Try to remove them in their entirety. The CDC reported 50,865 cases of tick-related illnesses in 2019. State and local health departments reported a total of 34,945 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease the same year. It is especially important to check your skin after you have been in tick-ridden areas such as forests, parks, and other grassy areas.
For more information on what to watch for after getting a tick bite, read here.
RELATED: How to treat the bites and stings of summer
3. Poisonous plants
Roughly 50 million Americans a year experience an allergic reaction to poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac, according to the American Skin Association.
- Learning what these poisonous plants look like will help you avoid an itchy summer rash. First, familiarize yourself with their distinctive leaves.
- To prevent exposure, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends wearing long pants tucked into socks when in wooded areas likely to have poison vines. Wash your skin immediately after any possible exposure.
- If you come into contact with a poisonous allergen, put a cold compress and over-the-counter topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone cream on the affected area.
- If your rash worsens or becomes itchy, visit your primary care provider or dermatologist for a prescription oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone.
- If the rash spreads to more than 25% of your body, spreads to areas such as your eyes, mouth or genital areas, and/or you have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, seek urgent medical treatment.
RELATED: How to prevent poison ivy | Poison ivy treatment
4. Acne
When it’s hot and humid outside, you may be more prone to acne. That’s because increased sweating combined with the use of makeup and sunscreen can clog pores.
- It’s a good idea to see a dermatologist if you develop a breakout. They can diagnose your acne and advise you on the best option for treatment in your specific situation.
- Before you turn in for the night, be sure to wash your face with an oil-free and non-comedogenic product—this type of product won’t stimulate excess oil production or clogged pores. And if you do have a breakout, do not pick the lesions.
- Products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are both good options to treat heat acne. These are over-the-counter products that are known to increase sun sensitivity, so be mindful of sun exposure when using.
- If your acne does not respond to OTC treatments, your provider may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics, gels containing retinol, or the medication isotretinoin.
5. Folliculitis
When hair follicles become blocked—say from oil, sweat, and dirt—they can become infected by bacteria, causing itching, pimples, pustules, or a rash.
- If symptoms last longer than two to three days, visit a healthcare provider for a diagnosis. They’ll examine you and sometimes will perform lab tests to determine the type of bacteria or fungus causing the infection.
- In some cases, applying hot, moist compresses on the affected area can relieve symptoms. Over-the-counter anti-itch and anti-inflammatory medications help reduce discomfort caused by folliculitis. Depending on the cause and duration, your provider may prescribe antifungals or antibiotics.
- To avoid a recurrence, avoid shaving and keep the area clean by washing daily with antibacterial soap.
6. Heat rash
Heat rash, or miliaria, causes small red bumps, red lumps, blisters, and itchy or prickly skin. Also called prickly heat, it happens when sweat ducts get blocked, trapping sweat under the skin—most often in hot and humid weather.
- To prevent or treat heat rash, wear cool, loose-fitting clothing that won’t irritate the rash, take cool baths or showers, and stay hydrated.
- For itchy skin, try over-the-counter anti-itch treatments such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream.
- If symptoms don’t go away within a few days, or you have severe symptoms including a rash that is warm to the touch, clear fluid, or pus leaking from the rash, severe pain, fever or nausea, see a provider or dermatologist urgently.
7. Eczema flare-ups
About 10% of people in the United States have some form of eczema, a skin condition that causes dry, irritated, and inflamed skin. And during the summer, sweating, exposure to sunlight, and allergens often make eczema worse.
- To prevent summer flare-ups, keep your skin dry and use gentle cleansers. Shower in lukewarm water, limiting your time to 10 minutes. Apply moisturizer after your shower when your skin is still damp. When spending time in the sun, choose mineral-based sunscreen.
- If you notice an eczema rash, you can treat it at home with a fragrance-free emollient moisturizer or hydrocortisone cream.
- If there is no improvement after several days, see a dermatologist. They can prescribe specialty treatments such as potent topical steroids, laser treatments, or injectable medications.
8. Swimmer’s itch
If you spend your summer days swimming in a lake, pond, or ocean, there’s a chance you might develop swimmer’s itch, or cercarial dermatitis. The skin rash is caused by microscopic parasites that burrow into your skin, causing an itchy rash.
- Symptoms of swimmer’s itch will appear soon after swimming in infested water. In minutes itching, tingling, or a burning sensation starts on your skin. Red bumps may appear within 12 hours.
- To soothe your rash at home, try soaking in an Epsom salt or oatmeal bath. Applying topical corticosteroid cream, baking soda paste, or cool compresses may provide relief. Do not scratch because this can result in a secondary bacterial infection.
- Most of the time, swimmer’s itch is self-limited and doesn’t require medical attention. But if it’s severe, contact your doctor for advice.
How to perform a skin check
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends performing a skin self-exam to check for skin cancer or any other abnormalities. It’s especially important after spending time in the sun. Follow these five steps:
- Examine your body in a full-length mirror.
- Look at underarms, forearms, and palms.
- Look at your legs, between toes, and on the soles of your feet.
- Use a hand mirror to examine your neck and scalp.
- Use a hand mirror to check your back and buttocks.
It’s a good idea to know what your skin looks like when there aren’t any issues. If you see a spot that’s different from others, that has changed somehow, or that itches or bleeds, it’s time to see your dermatologist.
