Are you looking forward to some beach fun this summer? Are you planning your next hike and counting anxiously down the days? Or do you fantasize about completing those outdoor projects? 

While you may be looking forward to long summer days, if you're not careful, several things might harm your skin. 

Here are 10 common skin diseases in summer and how to avoid them. 

Melasma 

Melasma is a skin disorder characterized by discolored areas. It mostly affects the face, with patches that are usually grey or brown in hue. Melasma affects people all year long, but sun exposure can make areas darker. 

Melasma can be controlled by limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen and a hat while going outside. If you have severe melasma, talk to Dr. Mikell about additional choices for therapy, such as topical medicines. 

Melasma can be controlled by limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen and a hat while going outside. If you have severe melasma, talk to your doctor about additional choices for therapy, such as topical medicines. 

Sunburn 

The most common skin diseases in summer is probably sunburn. Even if you use sunscreen and reapply it on a regular basis, you're certain to get a severe, red burn at some point. 

To protect your skin, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. Additionally, try wearing UV-blocking clothes and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face. If you get a sunburn, keep it out of the sun until it cures. Skin damage can be exacerbated by further sun exposure. 

Heat rash 

Sweat can’t exit your body when sweat glands get blocked. It will pile up under your skin, causing an uncomfortable rash with little lumps. Because the skin feels prickly as the lumps explode, this skin issue is also known as prickly heat. 

Avoiding outdoor activities during the warmest portion of the day might help you avoid developing a heat rash. Wear loose-fitting, cool clothes, and if you do sweat, wipe it away as soon as possible to keep your skin as dry as possible. Consider taking chilly showers to reduce your body temperature. 

Acne breakouts 

Acne develops when your skin's pores become blocked with oil and germs. When it's hot outside, your body is more likely to sweat. Sweaty skin is more prone to accumulate oil and germs, increasing the risk of acne outbreaks. 

Take extra steps to avoid excessive perspiration if you have acne-prone skin. To remove perspiration, gently pat your skin rather than rubbing it off, since this might irritate your skin worse. Sweaty clothes, caps, and towels should always be washed before reuse. 

Bug bites 

Summertime means more time outside, which means greater pest exposure. Female mosquitos bite, leaving a little amount of saliva on your skin and triggering your body's histamine response. Your body's reaction to the bite is the red, itching bump. 

Bug repellent and protective clothes, such as long sleeves and slacks, can keep insects from getting close enough to bite you. If you do get bitten, though, don't scratch it. Scratching an itching bite will irritate your skin, cause more damage, and slow down the healing process. 

Eczema flare-ups 

Eczema is a persistent skin ailment that creates itchy, red, cracked areas of skin. Eczema flare-ups may be more prevalent in the summer. Hotter temperatures irritate skin, and perspiration collects easily in the bends of elbows and knees, which are frequent sites for eczema. 

Maintain a reasonable body temperature to lower the chance of eczema flare-ups throughout the summer. Rinse perspiration from your skin with clean water on a regular basis, moisturize your skin throughout the season, and change your clothes frequently. 

Athlete’s foot 

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that causes itching and discomfort in the flesh between your toes. It may occur at any time of year, but it is more likely to occur if you have sweaty feet in hot, humid surroundings. 

Make sure your feet are dry and protected to avoid acquiring athlete's foot. Antifungal powder can be used in your shoes and between your toes. Also, if you sweat through your socks, replace them and avoid wearing damp shoes. 

Skin cancer 

If you spend a lot of time in the sun this summer, you could be at risk for skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most frequent cancer some parts of the world, and it occurs when the sun's damaging UV radiation cause aberrant skin cell proliferation. 

The greatest approach to avoid skin cancer is to stay in the shadow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun is at its fiercest. When you can’t avoid going out, apply sunscreen to your skin and cover up with clothes and a broad-brimmed hat. 

It is highly suggested that you do a self-exam to check your skin of cancer - at least once a month.  

Just bear in mind that when you get out into the sun, try every bit of precaution to stay healthy and to keep your skin radiant, so that you don’t have to go through to any of these diseases. Enjoy frolicking on the beach! 

Article reviewed by Dr. Zharlah G. Flores, MD, FPDS