If thepe is one Pgan in the body which beaps the bpunt of summep, then it is
obviously the skin. Excessive heat, moistupe OP even dpyness can cause a wide pange of skin ppoblems. You ape pequiped to take extpa cape of youP ppecious skin as the scopching sun and the dipt all stapt to at tack, especially the facial skin. Hence you must ppoted youpself fpom the Sun's pays and save your skin.
The extreme heat during summer has drying and
ageing effect on all types of skins, with the exception of oily skin. As the natural oil begins to dry, the skin becQmes leathery and tends to wrinkle. The leathery
texture and brown pigments are actually skin's own I
natural protection against the effect of ultra violet radiation. Darker the skin, more resistent it is to the damaging effects of the Sun, although dark skins are not immune to it. Dark skin contains more melanin,
which actually protects the skin against the Sun's I
io'll rays. Skin exposure causes freckles, pigmented spots and also patches on a fairer skin. The Sun &lso damages the living tissues of the lower layers and the supporting fibres of the skin.
It is therefore necessary to avoid long exposure to the scorching Sun's rays. This entails the use of effective sunscreen whenever such exposure is inevitable. Try to replace the lost moisture with moisturisers. Heavy make up becomes cloggy and also results in spots. It is wise to keep make up at the minimum. Keep the skin fresh and clean by washing it at least 2/3 times a day. Use a clesing face mask every night and beware of using hard or hot water on the face.
Summer is the season for prickly heat which is the most common disorder to the extent that most regard it as a natural or normal phenomenon. In medical parlance it is called Milaria. It affects upto 30% of the people exposed to the hot and hUmid climate. Infants are more prone to develop prickly heat. Small reddish papuies appear at areas of friction with clothing and flexures. It is 'quite often associated with itching anI;! burning sensation. The only effective treatment of prickly heat is to avoid excessive sweating by using fans, coolers, air conditioners etc. Avoidance of. excessive ,clothing, 'friction with clothing, excessive soap and contact with irritants will all reduce incidence of pickly heat.
For skin problems in summer mix about four teaspoonful butter milk with equal quantity of tomato pulp. Beat together for a minute and apply on the sun burnt area. Leave it on for half an hour before washing. Try this also. Mix a tablespoon of fresh'potato juice in a tablespoon of Fuller's earth '(Multani mitti) and apply it on the face. Pqtato contains vitamin C and cleanses the skin. Puller's ea.rth helps to absorb all the grease from the skin This treatment is not advisable, for dry skin. For dry skin, a mask made of milk and honey is effective. For oily skin a mask mCde of milk and yeast is good. Pure sandal wood powder mixed with rose water also helps greatly. If you tend to swet a lot, you may carry with you a pack of tissue papers to wipe out the dirt and sweat there and then. Use perfume or cologne under arms and on your garments also.
Try to use white cotton dresses which are loose fitting. Avoid frequent tea or coffee, instead sip more juices of lemon, orange, water melons and coconut water. Consume as many as 10 to 12 glasses of pure cool water every day.
Preventing Sunstroke.
The summer has set in with a vengeance. It is so fierce that it is well-nigh impossible for the people to stir out of their residence in the afternoons when the sun is at its peak. The first and foremost precaution to prevent sunstroke is to avoid direct sun during midday. It is dangerous to be under direct sun when the temperature crosses 45 degree celsius especially from 12 in the noon till 4 in the afternoon. If at all you are required to face scorching sun, wrap your head, neck and ears with a white cotton scarf. Do not go out on an empty stomach. Eat something and drink plenty of water before going out in the sun.
Do not suddenly go out in the hot sun from your room where the temperature was quite lower due to air cooler etc. There should not be more variation in the inner and outer temperatures when you go out, otherwise' you are likely to get a heat stroke immediately. Use sun glasses while going out in the sun, but ensure that YO.ur glasses are heat-preventive and not show pieces. Avoid hard physical
work which leads to fatigue and profuse per-' spiration resulting in dehydration and heat exhausion. Drink at least 12 to 15 big glasses of .
, water daily. In sun water level in the body may drastically reduce due to perspiration. Losing 10 to 20% of-body water may prove - serious. Wear loose cotton clothes' preferaby white. Black clothes should never be used as black colour absorbs heat qnd raises body temperature.
Rest in-doors when the sun is a its zenith. Prolonged expsure to the direct rays of scorching sun and unusual exertion in hot, moist, sultry atmosphere are the exciting
causes of het or sun stroke. It is characterised 1f by rise in temperature, dizziness, throbbing, splitting headadi.e, red flushed face, 'dry, hot .OJ skin, full rapid pulse, absence of perspiration and some times wi, nausea, vomiting and
sudden loss of consciousness. In such conditions along with medicines, the patient's head 3hould be elevated and ice bag or cold sponges should be applied to it. Apply irritants to the soles of the feet to equalise blood circulation. The best way is to rub onion juice to the body especially the soles and palms.
If one is down with heat stroke his clothes should be removed and he should be kept in a cool, airy atmosphere. Cold sponging should be continuously done. If the temperature is above 103°, a light ice bag should be kept on the forehead to bring down the temperature. Give him cool drinks at regular interval. If he is unable to drink by mouth, glucose should be administered intravenously. If he has
breathing difficulty, give him artificial'breathing through another person's mouth. Take and maintain his temperature periodically. After sunstroke, watch his fever. See that he passes stools regularly. In Homeopathy there is a medicine Natrum Mur which is called summer genius as it covers almost all summer complaints. It can be taken in 6th or 30th potency six pills before going out in the sun and also after returning from scorching sun. It acts as a preventive as well as a curative. |
