Summer: how to take care of your skin and avoid allergies in the heat? – 12/18/2023 – Balance and Health

Some health problems tend to manifest themselves depending on the weather. In winter, people suffer more from respiratory allergies, such as bronchitis; In summer, the villain of the moment is the worsening of allergic skin reactions.

Data from Google Trends shows that, due to high temperatures, in the last 90 days there has been an increase in searches for allergy-related terms, such as “heat allergy”, “sweat allergy”, “sun allergy” and “cholinergic urticaria”. (subtype of urticaria triggered by sweat and increased body temperature).

Brianna Nicoletti, a doctor specializing in allergies and immunology, says it is rare to develop allergies due to heat. What happens is that, most of the time, the person’s condition worsens due to high temperatures.

“The patient may have an allergy, atopic dermatitis, more sensitive skin, or develop an allergic reaction to sunscreen. This occurs especially when exposed to sunlight, resulting in what we call photosensitization,” says Nicoletti.

What can be confused with allergies in summer are the rashes that appear when people are sitting for long periods, without ventilation for the body.

Doctor Reinaldo Tovo Filho, coordinator of the dermatology center at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, states that it can appear in children who are overdressed or in elderly people who remain in bed for a long time or sit without moving. It commonly occurs on the back, but can occur throughout the body.

Tovo also warns that there are skin diseases that are aggravated by sun exposure, such as solar urticaria. It is manifested by the appearance of reddish plaques that are quite itchy and can spread throughout the body, causing itching and discomfort.

Does sweat allergy exist?

According to Nicoletti, it is extremely rare. But she explains that sweat is acidic for the skin, so on sensitive, dehydrated skin, with some inflammation, sweat can act as an abrasive and irritating agent for the skin.

Atopic dermatitis would be one of these cases, although it is not an allergy — it is a condition that can worsen due to sweat.

“People with atopic dermatitis have little protection, resulting in a lack of hydration. Consequently, they tend to feel more itchy in the skin folds, in the facial region, showing redness and, sometimes, even cracks. When these people sweat through sweat, a A number of substances, including salts, can cause itching,” says Tovo.

How do you know if it’s an allergy or a skin disease?

Nicoletti says that allergies cause itching and there are no systemic manifestations, such as fever, body pain, tiredness or joint pain, in addition to improving with anti-allergy medications or moisturizing corticosteroid ointments.

But the doctor recommends doing a biopsy to accurately differentiate allergies from dermatological skin diseases.

According to Tovo, another difference is that allergies are more temporary, as when the agent causing the reaction is removed, improvement occurs. Skin diseases tend to be more prolonged, if in doubt, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist.

How to take care of and prevent allergies from worsening in the summer?

• Keep the skin structured and hydrated by using a moisturizer compatible with the person’s skin type
• When visiting swimming pools with chlorine, sea water or in situations where there is intense sweating, it is important to take a shower with fresh water, reapply moisturizer and sunscreen
• Do not ignore the signs of contact sensitivity if you notice that a product is causing allergic reactions and choose the right products to avoid complications
• Wear light, ventilated clothing on hot days
• Avoid very hot baths, as this can remove the skin’s protective barrier

Sources: Brianna Nicoletti, doctor specializing in allergy and immunology, and doctor Reinaldo Tovo, coordinator of the dermatology center at Hospital Sírio-Libanês.