Bad sunburns, heat rashes or other problems after Spring Break

by S. C.

All year, people look forward to heading to Florida or a warm location during spring break from high school or university studies. Finally, a break from academic pressures and a chance to completely unwind. Unfortunately, it's easy to forget to pay attention to the time spent outdoors at the beach or in direct sunlight and many people end up with bad sunburns, heat rashes or other problems that compromise the quality of one's trip. Whether you are outside jogging, relaxing at the beach or involved in sports in the sun, keep your eyes on the time and strength of the sun. If you didn't bring sunglasses, sunblock or a hat, get one. Many think that sunblock is unnecessary for a one week vacation, but it should be used daily. If you are heading out for a whole day, bring along a pair of pants and a button down shirt to protect your skin. Florida is near the equator and the sun can be very powerful. It is best to gradually expose the skin to the sun and to start with thirty minutes initially of exposure till your skin adjusts. Even for thirty minutes , you should be using a suntan lotion.

According to Dee Cohen, a psychotherapist in Boca Raton, "I've seen clients unhappy after their vacations because the dream of relaxation was compromised by spending the whole day at the beach and getting a bad heat rash. It's important to use caution when you change environments."

If you do end up with prickly heat or a heat rash, there are a number of steps to take to get relief. You need to initially cool down your body. This can be done by using a fan, putting on cool wash cloths or sitting in an air conditioned building. Cooling the body helps to stop the body's itching and swelling. You can also sit in a bath tub or wrap ice packs in wash cloths that you place on the body.

Itching can be quite uncomfortable and sometimes incessant with a sun rash. Using corn starch, baking soda or ground up oatmeal on the skin as powders offers some relief. These can be found in any publix supermarkets as well as many drug stores in florida. They will absorb the moisture from perspiration.

When you are back in your hotel or condo, taking a shower with warm water or cold water is a better idea than using hot water. You also can expose your body to the air for a while after drying off. Remember to not scrub the skin in the shower with wash cloths or scrubbies because your skin is irritated and broken. This is not something to try to rub off the body like dry or scaly skin. Some people get blisters when they have prickly heat and don't try to pick or rub these.

Skin moisturizers and ingredients such as zinco oxide or aloe very can help the skin repair more quickly. Lotions that contain menthol can help the skin feel cooler. When people go away on spring breaks, it often because a time to begin or increase one's exercise routine. If you are wearing nylon, this can lock in moisture and sweat. Try to wear cotton clothing and if you already have a heat rash you will need to modify your exercising to prevent additional sweating. Walking early in the morning can be a way to get exercise without resulting in a sweat. Always shower after exercising so that perspiration doesn't sit on your body during the day. Keeping the sweat gland unblocked is important. Wear fabric that can breathe rather than nylon stockings and other items that can lock in moisture.

Dee Cohen stated, "People are often so relieved to get away from everything they don't use the same caution on vacation as at home. This means it's easy to forget to use sunblock, stay out too long in high heat and break out due to skin inflammations during their holiday. Taking care of one's body is critical to enjoying one's time out of town."