Battling discomfort from heat, sweat, and humidity? Here's your solution during the sweltering heatwave
Preventing and Treating Chafing and Heat Rash During Hot Weather
Hot weather can be a challenge for our skin, leading to chafing and heat rash. Here are some tips to help you manage these issues.
Preventing Chafing
To prevent chafing during hot weather, it's essential to focus on moisture management, reducing friction, and skin hydration. Wearing moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics like polyester or nylon instead of cotton is recommended. Comfortable, seamless or flat-seam clothing and protective underlayers such as bike shorts or anti-chafe shorts can also help reduce skin friction. Keeping the skin well hydrated with moisturizers is also crucial in maintaining elasticity and reducing irritation. Applying lubricants such as petroleum jelly, creams, or anti-chafe balms on prone areas before activity can significantly lower friction and chafing risk.
Treating Chafing
If chafing does occur, clean the area gently with mild soap and water, then pat dry. Apply barrier creams or ointments like petroleum jelly or zinc oxide to soothe and protect the skin. Use moisturizers regularly to promote healing and prevent dryness. If there is pain, redness, swelling, or signs of infection, seek medical advice promptly. In some cases, exfoliating gently before chafing occurs and proper moisturizing can improve skin condition and reduce recurrence.
Preventing Heat Rash
To prevent heat rash, wear loose fitting clothing in light and moisture-wicking fabrics. Minimize exertion when in hot environments and keep well hydrated. Marks & Spencer sells anti-chafe shorts in a variety of skin tone colors, black, and white, to prevent skin from rubbing.
Treating Heat Rash
The best treatment for heat rash is to cool the skin and keep the area dry. Application of anti-itch creams such as calamine lotion or anti-inflammatories such as hydrocortisone cream (for a few days only) can also help. Avoid ointments or oil-containing topical products as these block pores and can make the situation worse. Oral antihistamines can help reduce severe itch.
In terms of beauty and skincare, keep skin cool and dry, use breathable clothing and avoid tight synthetic fabrics. Apply calming topicals like aloe vera gel, chamomile, calendula, or zinc oxide cream to reduce redness and soothe itching. Avoid heavy, perfumed products which can clog pores or irritate already inflamed skin. In the shower, use a sulphate-free, non-foaming cleanser to avoid stripping the skin barrier. Colloidal oatmeal baths can calm inflammation and soothe itching.
When sweating severely disrupts daily activities or occurs without an obvious cause, affects a specific area disproportionately, or if it's a medical condition such as thyroid disorders, infections, certain medications, or a genetic predisposition, it's recommended to speak to a healthcare professional.
Remember, prevention is always better than cure. So, stay cool, stay hydrated, and take care of your skin during hot weather!
[1] Dr Robert White, a GP with a specialty in Dermatology and Skin Surgery [2] Dr Nikki Ramskill, a GP and founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic [3] Nutritionist and women's health and hormone expert Alison Bladh [5] To prevent chafing during exercise, also consider wearing protective clothing like thigh bands or compression shorts.
- Science-based tips for maintaining skin health and wellness in hot weather include wearing moisture-wicking fabrics, using anti-chafe shorts, and applying lubricants for preventing chafing.
- In the realm of home-and-garden and lifestyle, it's essential to keep skin cool and dry during hot weather by using breathable clothing and calming topicals like aloe vera, chamomile, calendula, or zinc oxide cream.
- For women's health, it's crucial to address issues like heat rash by cooling the skin, using anti-itch creams, and avoiding heavy, perfumed products during hot weather, as recommended by experts like Dr Robert White, Dr Nikki Ramskill, and Alison Bladh.
