Now that summer is here, everyone’s spending more time outside. Whether you’re visiting a theme park, swimming, or camping and hiking, taking time to protect your skin is always a good idea. (Fun fact: Skin is the body’s largest organ!) And if you’re around children, watching out for their skin is just as important.
While wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) is one of the smartest things you can do to protect yourself and your family year-round, remember to reapply it throughout the day, even the water-resistant kind. Here are a few other skin-sensible tips to help get you through the season:
- Watch where you sit! Before you hop on a swing or allow a child to climb on a slide at your neighborhood park, test surface temperatures to avoid getting burned. Believe it or not, playground equipment, uncovered ballpark seating, and lawn furniture can be as high as 130 degrees —almost hot enough to fry an egg! If the surface is too hot, you can cover it with a beach towel, cool it with a water hose — or catch a matinee movie and come back later!
- Rinse and repeat. Pool chemicals, salt water, sand, and excessive sweat can be very abrasive to your skin. Try to rinse off every time you get out of the water. If you’re playing tennis or other outdoor sport, do your best to bathe as quickly as possible after you finish.
- Dry up. To help prevent athlete’s foot and other fungal infections, remember to keep yourself dry, especially between your toes. Sprinkle talcum or antifungal powder in your shoes and on your feet. While you’re outside and active, keep an extra pair of socks handy so that you can change out of wet ones.
- Keep your feet happy. Speaking of feet, did you know that concrete and blacktop (asphalt) surfaces — and even sand — can reach well over 100 degrees in the summer sun? To protect yourself from blisters and burns, consider wearing water shoes. They’re made of especially lightweight mesh and can be worn on the beach as well as pavement. If you do decide to go without shoes, be sure to put sunscreen on your feet.
- Embrace the “shady” side of life. When the air temperature (or humidity, depending on where you live) soars, sometimes staying indoors is your best bet. But if you have to go outside, try to avoid the hottest times of the day — between 2 and 4 PM. (Coincidentally, this is a perfect time of day for a summer nap!) Stay in the shade as much as possible too; wear a wide-brimmed hat, cover your arms with breathable, light-colored clothing, and even use an umbrella if necessary.
No matter how skin-smart you are, if your summer fun gets hampered by an uncomfortable skin condition or non-threatening injury, reach out to Teladoc for relief 24/7. Take a couple of photos and send them to Teladoc to help our board-certified doctors determine your condition and recommend treatment options. For even more convenience, just download our award-winning mobile app and upload those snapshots in a snap!
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