It’s extremely tempting to spend as much time outside as possible when the temperatures are hot and the sun is high -- especially in the summer months. Many people look at this type of weather as the best time to go sunbathing, enjoying the beach or going to a park with family. But unfortunately, hot and humid weather is not a friend to your skin. Dr. Toral Patel runs a skin wellness center of Chicago called D&A Dermatology where she often treats patients who have serious skin problems that seem to only develop in the summer months.

 

When the weather is humid it means that there is a lot of moisture in the air. That causes the pores of the skin to open and makes them susceptible to gathering dirt, oil and allergens. Too much humidity can cause problems like acne, skin breakouts, eczema and allergic reactions that show up on the skin. Many people who live in humid clients often complain of a condition they call “tropical acne.” As you can imagine this is a problem that most often affects patients who live in areas that are close to the equator, but Dr. Patel also sees these cases at her skin wellness center of Chicago.

 

The best solution for this skin problem is preventative -- stay out of the hot, humid weather as much as possible. Stay inside in an air-conditioned room or at an air conditioned business during the hottest hours of the day. If you must do battle with hot humid weather, keep a package of wet wipes (preferably containing witch hazel) handy that you can use to keep your face clean as you sweat. Scrub your face clean intermittently throughout the day.

 

A common treatment for skin problems that occur because of humidity and hot weather is a topical antibiotic that Dr. Patel can prescribe at her Chicago office.

 

If you feel that your skin issues may be related to hot, humid summer weather, and you need a solution ASAP, contact dermatologist Dr. Toral Patel at her skin wellness center of Chicago. She can provide you with products and treatments to rejuvenate your skin and give you a fresh new look.