Page 49 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: SKIN, HAIR, AND NAIL PROBLEMS 47

What you can do yourself continued…
DRUG REMEDIES
● While you have a heat rash, don’t use
antiperspirants, perfumes, lotions, or creams,
Calamine lotion (see p.179) has a cooling
which may irritate your skin or block your pores.
effect on sore, itchy sunburned skin. Dab it on with
● When the weather is warm, wear lightweight, cotton balls as often as needed.
loose clothes made of natural fibers such as cotton. Sunscreens and sunblocks (see
p.189) have different sun protection factors (SPFs)
● If you are prone to heat rash, acclimatize yourself
for different skin types – the fairer your skin, the
gradually whenever you move from a cool climate
higher the factor. Most people need an SPF of 15 or
to a hot one. Increase the time you spend in the
higher. (Much higher factors may be needed at high
heat over several days. altitudes, when skiing, for example.) Use a sunscreen
● To prevent heat rash in a baby, avoid overdressing even in the shade and on cloudy days. Apply
sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside and
or using too many blankets. (Check by feeling the
back of your baby’s neck – it should be warm but reapply frequently, especially after swimming. Use a
total sunblock with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide if
not sweaty.) On hot days, keep your baby in cool, you have very fair skin and for all children. Don’t use
shady areas and give him or her plenty to drink. sunscreens or sunblocks on a baby under 6 months.
Sunburn
● Stay out of the sun while you have a sunburn.
If you do go outdoors, wear cool, lightweight
PREVENTION
clothes that cover the burns completely.
● Don’t pick at peeling skin; let any blisters burst Safety in the sun The effects of the sun
on their own. on your skin don’t always show straight away, so
you may not realize you are burning. The following
● Have a cool bath and add about 4 tablespoons
measures will help protect you from sunburn.
of baking soda (see p.179) to the bath water. Pat
● Whenever your skin is exposed to the sun, use
yourself dry with a soft towel.
sunscreen or sunblock (see DRUG REMEDIES, above).
● You may find a cold compress soothing. Soak ● Don’t go out in summer sunshine when it is at its
a soft cloth in cold water, wring it out, and apply strongest, between 11am and 3pm.
it gently to your sunburned skin. Repeat as often ● Don’t use tanning beds.
as necessary throughout the day. ● Be especially careful when you are close to water
or snow because the reflected sunlight increases
● Calamine lotion may help to cool sunburned skin
the likelihood of getting sunburned.
(see DRUG REMEDIES, right). ● Keep babies out of the sun completely. Use a
sunshade or sit them in the shade.
● Try an aloe vera lotion or gel to soothe your skin
● Wear loose, lightweight pants and tops with
(see NATURAL REMEDIES, opposite page). Wait until sleeves, and also a hat, if you are out in the sun
the skin has been cooled down before applying for long periods. Some clothes are now labeled
moisturizers, which hold in the heat of the burn. with an ultraviolet protection factor
(UPF), indicating their
effectiveness at blocking
Seek further medical advice the sun’s rays.
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● A heat rash does not fade within 2–3 days
● A baby is still feverish after you have used Sun protection
cooling methods Choose a hat that
shades your child’s
face and neck and
apply sunscreen
to skin exposed
to the sun.