Shield yourself during summer

DIPNA JACOB SKIN care during summers is very important. With lot of sweat and dehydration, we are prone to many kinds of skin infection. Dr Shibu Mohammed, consultant dermatologist at the Badr Al Samaa hospital, shares insightful information about caring for the skin and reduce various ailments that are typical during summer months. Drink water: It is very important to drink a minimum 10 glasses of water every day as the body dehydrates fast during summer. Avoid aerated drinks and drink fruit juices instead. Sunscreen: It is necessary to use sun protection screen before going out. Sunscreens are available in two types - chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreen is available in most shops and is not very obvious when applied and it is suitable for people who remain indoors. It gives better protection when compared to people who do not apply sunscreen. People who enjoy playing in the beach, swimming, cricket, football or any kind of outdoor activities, should use physical sunscreen available in the pharmacy or sports shop because they are prone to more damage. Physical sunscreen will directly reflect the light but it will have a white patch on the face when applied.

Dr Shibu added, “Blue collar workers working under the sun are not much aware of sunscreen and also they cannot afford it. I request the companies to provide sunscreen to those employees since they are prone to more skin damage. Workers who have worked for more than 6 to 7 years in this region are prone to skin cancer and we have seen a number of such cases.” Proper clothing: Prefer cotton clothes to synthetic materials during summer. Try to cover the body as much as possible with fullsleeved clothing. Do not forget cap and sunglasses. Shower three times a day: One of the most important things is taking bath at least three times a day. Many people, especially girls and ladies, find it difficult to dry their hair hence do not wash their hair daily. It is a must to wash hair every day. Dr Shibu added, “If they are worried of hair fall then at least wash the hair with mineral water. They are prone to head lice infection and fungus infection. The fungus and bacteria multiply in the body and head within 6 to 8 hours of not taking bath. Mostly people who have the condition of Rhinitis or nasal block avoid washing their hair; such people can take bath in the evening and dry the hair well before going to bed.” Avoid non-vegetarian food: Try to avoid non-vegetarian food as much as possible. During summer, body gets heated up faster and creates indigestion. It is advisable to consume more vegetables and fruits. Also, eat freshly cooked food instead of consuming reheated food from the fridge. When eating outside from restaurants and coffee shops, do not sit in an open area like roadside where the traffic is more and exposing food to dust. Car ventilation: During summers, cars parked outside are like an oven. Always roll down the window and switch on the car AC for some time until the car cools down. Never drive the car without letting out the hot air inside the car. It can cause damage to lungs and respiratory system.