You may feel rested, but what about your skin?

As you return from your summer holidays relaxed and refreshed, give a thought to your skin. After a long flight that “healthy glow” may not be so resplendent after all. While many symptoms caused by travelling can be solved by simple over the counter remedies, there will be some that are more serious. Stephanie Munn, a dermatologist at Bupa’s Health Centre on Basinghall Street in the City, shares her advice on keeping skin healthy during and after your holiday, and the most common symptoms to watch out for.

 

The combination of sunshine, alcohol, sea water, chlorine and flying can dry out the skin,      leaving it saggy, dull and flaking. Give it a boost with a good moisturizer. The same goes for the hair so give it a nice oil treatment and conditioner.

 

Although some sunshine is good for us, enabling our skin to produce vitamin D which is important for developing and maintaining healthy bones, tanned skin isn’t healthy and is actually a sign that your skin has been damaged. And while your tan will fade, the damage to your skin remains. Indeed, long- term sun exposure can lead to premature aging and can put you at risk of skin cancer. If you have exposed your skin to the sun for too long, keep an eye out for any new or changing moles, or any sore, weeping or bleeding areas which do not heal, and make sure you see a dermatologist.

 

Did you bring anything unwanted home as well as your souvenirs? Insect bites, stings, fungal and yeast infections, bacterial infections are all more common on holiday, particularly in the tropics, and so  me insect bites carry a risk of infection.  Always take a good insect repellant with you and wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening.  If you do get bitten, apply a topical steroid such as eumovate which you can obtain over the counter. If the bite does not heal, or if you get a fever, malaise, or large, red, tender swelling, see a doctor as you may need antibiotics. Jelly fish stings should be removed with a credit card, with wine or even urine applied immediately to remove the pain. Then apply a topical steroid as above. A streaky rash can remain for a couple of weeks where the tentacles touched the skin.

 

Fungal and yeast infections can cause a scaly rash which may become depigmented (pale or even white) where the skin cannot tan underneath it. They can also cause maceration between the toes. This can be treated easily by a doctor.

 

Heat and oily sunscreens can cause folliculitis (a small yellow head around the hair follicles), acne or boils. Use oil-free sunscreen, apply in the direction of the hair, use a mild antiseptic wash, but if not settling or you have painful boils see a doctor.

 

Not everyone enjoys the sunshine and some people can develop an itchy rash, usually on the

chest or hands. This is called polymorphic light eruption, although is usually termed heat rash. The rash is not actually due to the heat, but a sensitivity to UVA light. It classically appears on day two to three of your holiday and doesn’t go until you are out of the sun. It can be avoided by using a factor SPF greater than 30 and 4* sunscreen. If you do get it, stay out of the sun, take an antihistamine and apply a topical steroid such as eumovate. If you have sun burn, keep cool, apply a moisturizer and topical steroid and drink plenty of water.

 

The Bupa Centre on Basinghall Street in the city of London provides a range of services including muscle, bone and joint treatments, cardiology and dermatology services, diagnostic tests, GP appointments and cosmetic procedures. It is available to everyone, including those without health insurance, offering appointments outside office hours to make things as convenient as possible. For more information visit www.bupa.co.uk/basinghall