How to keep your skin healthy this summer

Your skin is our largest organ in the body and covers about two square metres - this would make a very respectable fireside rug or a generous bathmat.

It can weigh up to 4kg and has up to 17km of blood vessels. It can shed between 30,000-40,000 dead skin cells every minute which can amass to its own weight, 4kg of detritus every year. No wonder my shower needs cleaning so frequently!

Given that your skin is the size of a small dog, it's no wonder that it may need a bit of loving attention, especially when things start going pear- shaped.

Prickly Heat

Prickly heat is a common complaint, characterised by raised welts or bumps. The sensation is that of stinging or prickling and can be very uncomfortable. During times of heat, when we are sweating more than usual, the sweat glands risk becoming blocked by dead skin cells and bacteria on the skin. This salty sweat then becomes trapped under your skin in little pockets and bubbles and can leak into surrounding tissue causing irritation. This could also be made worse if we opt for conventional deodorants, which can block our sweat ducts further.

Why does it affect some people and not others

There are reasons why it may affect certain groups of people more than others.

Infants

Infants, for instance, may struggle with temperature regulation as they can't get up and walk around to cool down, especially if they are trapped in a hot buggy.

Elderly people

Elderly people may not have very good circulation which can affect their ability to control body temperature.

Your immune system

Our own immune system can have an influence too. Histamine is a chemical produced by mast cells, the immune cells that are among our first defenders. One of their jobs is to identify invaders or injury and to release histamine in response to this. This increases permeability of the surrounding capillaries and allows white blood cells to access the area. This is an inflammatory response designed to help but it can in some cases, result in an overreaction by our immune system, which can make things worse.

Sensitivity to UVA light

Sensitivity to UVA light is also a common factor. Therefore, it would be sensible to suggest that keeping cool, wearing light clothes, avoiding direct sunlight and wearing good quality, high UVA protection sunscreen, are all good measures to take.

What can you do?

Keep Hydrated

Drinking water and keeping hydrated is important in the heat too, as dehydration will aggravate a number of nasty symptoms, but especially prickly heat.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle, ironically, can help reduce histamine levels and is naturally anti-inflammatory. Traditionally it's been used for its nutritional properties as well as for painful joint conditions such as gout. Men have also used it to help with both hair and prostate health but it's also a wonderful skin tonic.

Vitamin C

Next, research suggests that vitamin C has impressive antihistamine properties. Nature C tablets are delicious, chewable, plant-sourced and contain real Vitamin C as against ascorbic acid.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a yeast infection and is one of a plethora of skin infections like ringworm and nail infections that can risk developing or worsening in hot weather. Conditions such as these can develop on the scalp, crotch and armpits and even on the back, where it can appear as discoloured patches and feel quite itchy. On the feet, skin can become itchy, blistered, cracked and sore. Nails can becomes discoloured, raised and flaky. Grim.

Sweat, damp and heat create the nice moist environments that yeast does particularly well in. Therefore, keeping the skin and feet cool and dry will help prevent infection but treatment will be necessary if infection is already present. It's also important to continue treatment until the condition has completely cleared.

What can you do?

Neem

Neem is an Indian herb that has anti-fungal properties* as well as being soothing to irritated skin. A.Vogel has a range of neem products for the skin and hair and I particularly like the shampoo; – it smells like rosemary and it's great for an itchy scalp. The oil can be applied to skin and nails and the cream is great for dry or irritated skin.

Spilanthes

Spilanthes is a really useful anti-fungal remedy and the herbal tincture can be applied directly to affected areas and/or taken internally. A two pronged approach can be both convenient and effective.

Cold sores

And finally, cold sores. Cold sores are caused by a virus that lies dormant in the body, waiting for any sign that your immune system is either fragile or distracted. Then, the minute you get a cold or stressed it can materialise.

I used to have one for every ball or wedding, after every cold and while on sun holidays. It was like a malign pet.

What can you do?

Echinaforce

Echinaforce can help strengthen the immune system and can be used in times of stress or tiredness. It has anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Bio-Propolis

Bio Propolis is my absolutely favourite lip care product. It is moisturising, invisible to wear and contains propolis which research suggests is effective against the cold sore virus.**

I have also found it to be particularly soothing as cold sores, cracked lips and chapped skin can be very painful.

Look after your skin

Finally, to flog my skin as a pet analogy, please do look after your skin; feed, water and bed it well.

Feed it

Dull, lifeless skin that is dry and sensitive will need foods that are rich in good and healthy oils - have a lovely avocado and olive oil dressing on your salad. Anti-oxidant rich foods like fresh fruit and vegetables help protect skin cells from damage and encourage repair processes.

Drink water.

Hydration will keep your mouth from looking like a discarded scrunchie.

Get some sleep.

Sleep deprivation wrecks your skin as it both weakens the immune system and can disturb skin permeability.*** Getting enough rest helps ensure that your body has the time to repair any damage and will help the immune system function better.

*http://globalresearchonline.net/journalcontents/v39-1/38.pdf
**https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25022206
*** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11511309