SAVING your SKIN from THE SUN

1. Moderate Exposure to Sun, esp the early morning rays before 10 am or the sunset time , between 4 to 6 pm are beneficial to the skin. This exposure can cure a number of skin diseases, including psoriasis, tuberculosis, hand eczema and a variety of others.                                                               

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3. Excessive and Repeated exposure to sun esp between 10 am to 4 pm is damaging to the skin.

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 Minimise your exposure to the sun, if your work demands a lot of outdoor activity.

 

 Do not swim in between 9 am to 5 pm, esp 10 am to 3 pm. Y ou will tan heavily.

 

 

Avoid exposure to very hot sun even if for a brief period of time. This can cause a sunburn.

 

Avoid window seats in the bus, train or car, evenif they are air conditioned.

 

Repeated and heavy exposure to sun may result in “Actinic Dermatitis,” an extreme situation where the skin is damaged and thrown into thick wrinkles on the forehead, neck, elbow pits and other exposed sites.

 

Try to eradicate all parthenium and grass pollen in your living area and replace with an non allergic useful crop, for eg., Thulasi. A pre existing allergy to Parthenium or Grass Pollen can be exacerbated on working in the hot sun. Sweat further sensitises the skin to sunlight.

 

Finish all your homework like washing clothes and utensils, drying them in sun protected shade or during sun-safe hours.

 

Wear loose fitting full shirts, preferably cotton and of white colour or dull colors which allow air movement and help evaporation of sweat.

 

Use an helmet, vizer, umbrella, round hat or an headgear ( turban) while working in the sun

 

Prefer cooler workplaces. Bathe twice a day in cool water.  Working or playing in the sun releases lot of sweat, whose salts and minerals irritate the skin, causing sweat dermatitis. The other manifestations are miliaria, exfoliative dermatitis. 

 

Sweat trapped in skin folds in the arms, thighs, back, underneath breasts can predispose to fungal infections.

 

Drinking water @ 250ml per hour and consuming vegetables, juicy seasonal fruits, coconut water and other electrolyte rich fluids act as a natural sun protective.

 

Consult your Dermatologist and get a prescription for an appropriate sunscreen suitable for your skin.