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Seasonal changes play a vital role on human skin and since India belongs to the tropical climate zone, skin changes and the risk of developing skin diseases are mostly seen in the summer months. The heat and increased humidity makes the human skin sweaty and prone to chafing easily.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Susmit Halder, MBBS, MD, DNB, consultant dermatologist and director at Calcutta Skin Institute in Kolkata, explained, “Increased maceration disrupts skin continuity and invites bacterial and fungal skin diseases such as furunculosis, carbuncle, folliculitis, dermatophytosis (ring worm infection), candidiasis. These diseases affect various parts of the body, especially the body folds, where moisture gets trapped due to constant covering by clothing. The infection can spread to individuals living in more crowded places and those with poor personal hygiene.”
Highlighting that sunlight is also a threat to human skin, causing a variety of light-related skin diseases, Dr Susmit Haldar elaborates, “Acne, polymorphic light eruption, lichen planus pigmentosus, herpes simplex labialis and sun tanning are to name a few. Sunburn is not usually seen on Indian skin due to excess pigment (melanin), but it can often be seen in individuals who do not have pigment (such as vitiligo). Heat stroke is related to a rare skin condition called miliaria profunda, where sweat secretion is completely blocked due to blockage of sweat ducts at a deeper level. We often see a less severe form of miliaria (miliaria rubra or ‘ghamori’) in summers,
Sharing his expertise, Dr. Swayamsiddh Mishra, MD-DVL, Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist at All About Skin Clinic, New Delhi, said, “Seasonal changes, especially the transition to summer, bring longer days, increased outdoor activities, and higher temperatures, which can aggravate various skin conditions. Indian skin types are more prone to tanning than sunburn due to high melanin content in the skin which provides a protective barrier against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation during summer can cause photodamage, leading to erythema, hyperpigmentation, melasma, and accelerated skin aging.
A skincare routine is a must for healthy and glowing skin, but Dr Nidhi Jindal, Consultant Dermatology at New Town AAI, Kolkata, believes, “It should be tailored to the individual’s skin. The routine should be changed according to the temperature and humidity. In the warmer months, your skin can get oily and breakouts can occur more frequently, so gel base products and lotions are needed.”
Dr. Kusumika Kanak, Consultant Dermatologist at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune, suggests, “Adjusting our skincare routine in light of this environmental change is essential to prevent and cure these skin conditions. The summer season brings with it more humidity and temperature fluctuations, which can cause the skin to produce more oil, leading to acne breakouts. Also, excessive sweating can cause the pores to become clogged with dirt and oil, making acne worse and perhaps even leading to other skin problems. Also, this is the period when we are more exposed to UV radiation, increasing the chances of sunburn and weakening the skin’s protective layer, making it more vulnerable to problems. Customised skincare solutions are essential to address these problems. Specialised skincare solutions, especially sunscreens, play a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by summer conditions. Sunscreens are essential to protect the skin from harmful UV radiations, which intensify during the summer months.”
Dr Rajesh Jariya, Consultant Internal Medicine at PD Hinduja Hospital and MCR in Khar, concludes, “Summer means increased exposure to sunlight, itchy and painful rashes and generally an assault on the skin. A combination of medical conditions of infectious, allergic or injury-related origin may be responsible. Acne is caused by hair, sebum and keratinocytes sticking together, preventing their normal shedding and adding regular skin bacteria to this ‘glued’ mixture, leading to a reaction called inflammation. Eventually this mixture swells, bursts and leaves behind a crater-like scar. The increased heat increases sebum production and acne breakouts.”
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