Prickly heat

Miliaria, commonly known as prickly heat affects many people during the summer. The condition only lasts a few hours or days, often clearing up with no treatment. It is caused by sweat being trapped in the pores on the skin. When the pores are blocked it causes an inflammatory response which shows symptoms of  blisters, or red itchy bumps, or  pins and needles sensation which tend to get worse in the sun. Although the symptoms are not health threatening, it is extremely uncomfortable for people and can really affect a persons holiday. 

This is a condition where the pathology is not greatly understood, however, there are certain things covered today that you can do to try and prevent heat rash or reduce symptoms. 

Choosing suncream- food for thought, only put on your skin what you would put in your mouth!

Recently there has been research to suggest that suncream causes more cancer than the sun itself due to the absorption of the cream by the skin, and blocking sunlight from producing vitamin D in the skin to support natural immunity. Ideally, you should not put anything on your skin in the sun and only be in the sunshine for 20 minutes or until you get a slight pink colour, at this point, its time to get into the shade. This in theory would be great, but on holiday is not overly practical, therefore, we want something that is going to give you protection without blocking the pores.

Bare minerals is a lovely sunscreen that is natural and in powder meaning it is not going to clog your skin. However, if you are going to be in and out of the sea or pool a gentle cream such as green people's hypoallergenic  suncream is suitable and not to heavy on the skin.

Dress cool and be cool with Aloe Vera 

Aim to wear light lose clothes made from cotton so as not to antagonise the rash. The gel from aloe Vera is a must have for your summer holidays as it covers so much! You can use this topically to soothe,heal and cool the skin. The components of the gel can be used to naturally work like an antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection to the rash and can also be applied to sunburn

Biocarbonate brings another meaning to baking

Dissolve a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into half a glass of water (roughly 150ml) and apply directly to the rash with cotton pads to bring the itchiness and redness down. 

Grapeseed Extract your natural antihistamine that also makes your skin glow

Over the counter antihistamines are often suggested to bring down the inflammation and discomfort, instead you can take grapeseed extract as a supplement for at least two weeks prior to a holiday. The ingredient supports tissue, anti-histamine and an antioxidant levels. Vitamin C and E are import for youthful healthy skin. The OPC components of grape seed extract are 50 times stronger than vitamin E and beats vitamin C 20 times over.