Sep 11
21
The Heat is On: Summer Rashes, Part II
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In last month’s article, I discussed some of the common skin rashes we see in the summer. Here are three more:
- Tinea Versicolor: This is a common superficial fungal infection of the skin that is actually caused by a yeast organism called Malassezia. The infection is more common in warm tropical environments. It presents as scaly patches on the upper trunk and arms that may be dark, light, or pink (hence the name versicolor.) The affected areas may not tan well, causing them to become more noticeable in the summer. There are many ways to treat this infection. You can start with a shampoo such as Selsun or Nizoral AD. Apply to the affected areas for 20 minutes, then get in the shower and shampoo the scalp (this is where the yeast is harbored,) as well as the trunk. Do this every day for one week, then twice weekly as needed. There are also prescription treatments available from your dermatologist.
- Poison Ivy: We frequently see poison ivy rashes in the summer, when people are outside interacting with nature. Most cases are pretty obvious: itchy blistery rashes that occur within two to three days of the exposure. The rashes often present in linear or
odd shapes, indicating that the trigger was something external. The rash is triggered by an allergic reaction to urushiol, which is the resin of the plant. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are all members of the same family of plants containing this resin. Poison ivy can be identified by its configuration of shiny leaves in groups of three. Click here for more information and photos: http://www.poison-ivy.org If you are sensitive to poison ivy and have been exposed, wash your skin with soap and water as soon as possible to remove the resin. Also be aware that the resin can be carried on the fur of pets and on clothing. Once you have washed the skin, any further spread of the rash is due to activation of the immune system. The fluid in the blisters is not contagious. Mild cases can be treated with cool compresses, over the counter hydrocortisone creams, or Calamine lotion. More severe cases may require prescription steroid creams or even systemic steroids. The rash can take several weeks to resolve. The best treatment is prevention; avoid areas known to harbor poison ivy if you can. Wear long sleeves and pants if you know you might be exposed. A product called Ivy Block (http://www.ivyblock.com/ ) can be useful. It forms a barrier on the skin to prevent binding of the urushiol resin to the skin.
- Eczema: Eczema, while not a seasonal condition, tends to flare in the summer due to heat. Eczema is a chronic skin disorder. tends to run in families, and frequently co-exists with asthma and other allergic conditions. We call it “allergic skin,” though this is probably an oversimplification. Patients with eczema seem to have a defective skin barrier. Their skin is unable to properly retain moisture and cannot heal itself correctly, for reasons not yet fully understood. The result is tiny breaks in the skin, which
allow irritants and other environmental insults to cause damage, resulting in inflammation (redness, scaling, itching, rashes.) Inflammation leads to more barrier damage, leading to a vicious cycle. Heat and humidity, as well as overly dry conditions, are known triggers of eczema flare-ups, so patients with this condition need to try to protect their skin from extremes of temperature and moisturize frequently. Topical steroid creams and even systemic steroids are sometimes necessary to control flares.
Summertime can take its toll on skin in many ways. Do your best to protect it from the elements. Hopefully, cooler days will be here soon!
