What are the common causes of summer rashes?

¿Qué causa la erupción por calor?

One of the most common rashes experienced during the warmer months is heat rash - this happens when your skin's sweat glands get blocked, or can be a result of too much sweat due to overheating or physical activity.

"A heat rash happens when the sweat gland pores become blocked and sweat is unable to evaporate from the surface of the skin. This results in red bumps or an itchy skin sensation," explains dermatologist, Dr Zainab.

How to treat heat rash

While heat rash can be itchy and uncomfortable, keeping the skin cool should relieve symptoms and the rash will usually resolve on its own. "Heat rashes are self-limiting and should resolve within 3-4 days," says Zainab. However, if you or your child have a temperatura alta or chills, or the rash becomes painful, it's a good idea to consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you or your child already have eccema o psoriasis, sunlight can often help to improve the condition. "Many common inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can clear up in the sun," says consultant dermatologist Ophelia Veraitch.

However, overheating or too much sun exposure can cause eczema and psoriasis to flare up, often due to over-sweating. In addition, certain sunscreens may cause a reaction in sensitive skin.

If you or your child have an inflammatory skin condition, enjoy outdoor fun but try to limit direct sun exposure. Speak to your pharmacist about the best sunscreen for your skin.

Some people have an extreme reaction when their skin is exposed to the sun due to photosensitivity. "Many people have skin sensitivity and skin reactions to sunlight. There are several different skin diseases that can cause these reactions," explains Veraitch. For example, autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

Some skincare products may also make you more susceptible to sun damage - for example, certain anti-ageing creams, or the acne treatment benzoyl peroxide which is usually under the brand name Acnecide.

"One of the key features that helps a dermatologist work out the cause of photosensitivity is how long after being exposed to the sun the skin problem begins. If you have pain or itch within seconds or minutes of exposure to the sun, the reaction could be caused by medicine-induced light sensitivity or hives (solar urticaria). If the itchy rash develops within hours or days of exposure to the sun this could be caused by rarer conditions such as lupus, a light-sensitive eczema or a long term inflammatory skin condition (actinic prurigo)" says Veraitch.

If you're aware that you have a condition that flares up in the sun, extra caution is advised. Wear loose, cotton clothing, seek out the shade and take advice from your pharmacist or doctor about skincare products.

Most insect stings or bites cause inflammation around the bitten area, and can be itchy as they heal. With insects being more prevalent in the summer months, insect bites can be a common cause of summer rashes. This type of reaction can usually be dealt with easily at home, although it may be uncomfortable.

How to treat an insect bite

Keep the affected area clean and apply a cool cloth or ice pack to reduce swelling. Speak to your pharmacist about creams to ease symptoms and help healing. If your skin develops a blister, do not burst this as this may lead to infection.

Bites and stings are usually uncomfortable but not harmful. However, if you are worried about a bite or sting, speak to your pharmacist or call NHS 111 for advice. You should also seek medical attention if you are stung on a sensitive area, such as close to your eye.

Insect bites and stings may sometimes become infected, so if you experience more severe discomfort or swelling, it's important to speak to a healthcare professional.

Allergic reactions to insect bites or stings

Some people have an allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting. The most severe of these is anafilaxia in reaction to an insect sting - usually a bee or wasp sting in the UK - which can be life-threatening.

If you do have one anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting, you must try to avoid ever getting stung again. You must also carry an adrenaline auto-injector to treat yourself as soon as you're stung and ensure that you and others know what steps to take in an emergency.

While it can be hard to avoid insects during the summer months, insect repellent may help to prevent bites and stings.

If you are allergic to pollen, you may have symptoms such as fiebre del heno. But such allergies can also affect your skin, resulting in summer rashes. If you have allergies, make sure you take any prescribed medicine. If you develop skin irritation, or hay fever symptoms for the first time, speak to your pharmacist for advice.

In addition, "certain plants - for example, poison ivy and poison oak, can make skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause redness, swelling and blisters to develop," explains Zainab.

Wearing gloves for gardening and avoiding contact with any known allergens should help to reduce the instance of allergic reactions.