Protecting Yourself From Summertime Rashes

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Spending time outdoors means being more exposed to heat, bugs and plants.

Bumps, bug bites and strange rashes are things that many in our area deal with during the summer months.

An Essentia dermatologist explains what to do to prevent this from happening to you.

“Poison ivy and swimmer’s itch are the ones that are at the top of my head,” says Tonya Livdahl.

This South Fargo mother of four has dealt with summer rashes first hand. Her son got swimmers itch in Detroit Lakes last summer.

“It was very hard for him because it was itchy obviously and he was frustrated by that and didn’t want to get in the water for a long time after that,” says Livdahl.

Swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that burrow into your skin. It’s most common in freshwater lakes with stagnant shallow waters.

But this is just one of several irritations more popular during summer, like heat rash.

“It’s caused mostly by irritation and clogging of sweat ducts,” says Essentia Dermatologist Michael Blankinship.

To avoid it, he says to wear light, breathable clothing and wash off with cold water after a day in the sun.

But in addition to worrying about the heat, outdoor explorers need to keep their eyes on the ground as well to avoid certain plants.

“If you don’t know how to identify one, Google it before you go and then download the picture that way you’re not wondering about it. Just remember though that for poison ivy specifically, the material that causes the rash is very stable and will be present even on dead, brown vegetation,” Blankinship says.

These are some of the common skin conditions but the high temperatures can bring up rare diseases as well.

“Some people have what are called solar urticaria and these are people that develop itchy bumps, urticaria is another word for hives, with sunlight exposure,” says Blankinship.

If you’re wondering when it’s time to get a rash checked out?

“If it seems to be more than it should be or it’s bothering you to the point that it’s interfering with your daily activities, sure go to a walk-in clinic, your family practice doctor, or dermatologist. They can usually help you out,” Blankinship says.

Summer isn’t all bad news for skin irritation. People with psoriasis and eczema typically do better in the summer.

Doctors say in general, you should rinse with cold water and soap after any outdoor adventure.

For more information, head to essentiahealth.org.