Is Singapore getting too hot to handle?

 

Bad news for my fellow Singaporeans: 2024 looks set to be a warmer year than 2023, and climate change and El Nino are likely to intensify the already high temperatures. T Here’s all you need to know about the weather in Singapore that can impact your skin; and tips to protect your skin from these ailments.

     

 To sweat is human

   

1. Heat rash 

Heat rash is a skin condition caused by blocked sweat glands and sweat ducts. As a result, sweat gets trapped in the skin, causing a backflow of sweat into the dermis or epidermis. This causes the formation of sweat-filled vesicles under the skin.

 

Heat rash typically appears on the upper body, scalp and flexural areas in adults. In children, heat rash involves neck, armpits and groin. Heat rash can appear as superficial blisters or red papules that are itchy.

 

Heat rash tends to affect people who live in hot, humid areas. Children have a higher risk of developing heat rash due to immaturity of their sweat glands.

 

Tips for avoiding heat rash

• Wear breathable loose fitting clothes. Tight clothes are a risk factor for heat rash

• Exfoliate the skin. For a guide to exfoliation, please read A Complete Guide to Acids in Skincare & Chemical Exfoliation

   

 

2. Increased acne

Is your skin feeling more clogged lately? The problem might lie with Singapore’s weather.

 

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition characterised by increased oiliness, clogged pores, bacteria infection and inflammation. Acne severity can be influenced by factors such as weather, skincare and diet. In hot and humid weather, sweating and sebum production increase, aggravating congestion in the skin. Alteration in skin pH and microbiome as an outcome may also impact the severity of acne.

 

More about acne in these blogposts:

Acne: Types, Causes, Treatments and Tips for Prevention

5 Acne and Diet: Foods to Avoid for Less Pimples

 

 

Tips for treating acne:

• Exfoliate to reduce congestion. Learn how to get started in A Complete Guide to Acids in Skincare & Chemical Exfoliation

• Use skincare with active ingredient that combat acne- all in 5 Skincare Ingredients for Acne

• If your acne persists, consider in clinic treatments like chemical peels and lasers that reduce acne and acne marks.

 

Related blogposts: 

The Truth About Chemical Peels

10 Things to Know Before Having Lasers For Your Skin 

 

3. Sun burns 

The high UV index is a risk factor for sunburns. Prolonged exposure to the sun causes oxidative DNA damage by the UV rays. As a result, the body initiates a repair response that causes inflammation causing redness, swelling and pain in the skin. Some patients may also develop blisters, which suggests a more severe, partial-thickness burn. Note that sunburns can increase your chance of developing skin cancer!

The human sunburn cycle. Macroscopically, it consists of three phases including Inflammation, New Tissue Formation, and Apoptosis (visible peeling). The inflammatory phase consists of redness and inflammation commencing 20-30 minutes from the time of initial sun exposure. Image credit: Siddoo-Atwal.

 

Redness due to sunburns is typically seen within 3 to 5 hours of sun exposure, and this peaks within 12 to 24 hours. In 3-7 days, redness usually subsides. Skin peeling may be seen for 7 to 10 days after sun exposure.

 

Tips to avoid sunburns:

• Avoiding going outdoors or seek shade when the UV index

• Use broad spectrum sunscreen. For my sunscreen reviews and recommendations please head to Sunscreen Reviews 2024, Sunscreen Reviews 2021 and Sunscreen Reviews 2019

• Choose sunprotective clothing, wide brimmed hats and long sleeve tops to reduce the skin’s exposure to UV rays. All the science about staying protected while fashionable in Sun Protective (UPF) Clothing Explained

     

 

4. Increased inflammation 

If you’ve noticed increased itching and irritation lately, there’s an explanation for your symptoms. A rise in temperatures is associated with skin barrier dysfunction; leading to sensitivity, itching and redness. Patients with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema may notice a deterioration of their conditions because of this as well as the combination of increased sweating and itching triggered by heat.

 

Related blogposts:

How to Repair Your Skin Barrier

5 Skin Care Tips for Sensitive Skin and Rosacea

 

 

Tips for sensitive skin:

• Switch to lightweight, hydrating and barrier repair skincare

• Keep skin clean and dry

• Wear breathable, light weight fabrics

• Stay in cooler, well ventilated environments

• Medications may be required for medical conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. All about these conditions in Eczema: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments Explained and Rosacea: Symptoms, Triggers, Skincare and Treatments

   

 

Superficial skin infections

Warm and humid conditions favour growth of viruses, bacteria and fungi. Superficial skin infections such as cellulitis and impetigo; and fungal infections like tinea versicolour and tinea pedis tend to be more common in warm conditions.

 

These infections can occur after trauma to the skin; however minor the injury may seem. Skin infections can present as redness, swelling, discharge. Specific treatments are usually required to treat skin infections; so please seek medical attention if you suspect you have a skin infection.

 

Hope you found this blogpost on the impact of weather affects our skin useful! It will definitely take more than sunscreen to protect your skin; and I hope that the information and tips in this post.