With the current heat wave situation literally getting out of hand, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had to issue a warning to Nigerians to protect themselves, because this heat can lead to serious dehydration and also cause some harsh skin reactions.
The heat is so serious it makes fans look like a joke because they blow out hot air, and even if you can afford AC, NEPA will never be your friend in this country.
Here are some ways your skin may react to the current heat wave in Nigeria and how you can treat them
Let’s get right into it!
Heat and Sweat: 5&6
We all know that with heat comes sweat, and sweating can be very frustrating, especially If you stay in a place where good power supply is something you hear about but don’t have.
If you don’t make use of air conditioning systems in your means of transportation, and your house, then serious sweating at night and day is something you’ve definitely had a fair share of in this hot weather. Here are some ways to take care of sweating profusely
- Try to shower regularly, it cools your body down.
- Make use of portable hand fans, rechargeable, or the good old Hand Fan.
- Open your windows at home for proper ventilation.
- Hustle for that window sit in public transport.
Heat Rashes (Prickly rashes)
The very annoying heat rash that appears like a thief in the night and proves stubborn to leave like your clingy ex.
They may appear as red or dark tiny dots on your skin and are caused by blocked sweat under your skin.
Heat rash can be very itchy and frustrating, but don’t worry, before you start scratching, here are some ways to help get rid of these rashes
- Shower regularly with cold water.
- Stay in a properly ventilated place or use a fan/AC.
- Use natural remedies such as Aloe Vera or cucumber slices.
- Apply methylated powder.
Sunburn
If you’ve stayed in the sun for too long when the hotness/intensity is high, there’s a high chance that you’ve had sunburn.
As the name implies, these burns are caused by the sun and can feel painful or hot when touched. It forms a red or dark patch and can sometimes cause blisters.
If you ever find yourself with sunburns, here are a few ways to treat them:
- Place a clean and cold damp towel on the affected area to cool it down.
- Apply Aloe Vera gel or lotion or natural Aloe Vera leaf to the affected area.
- Take pain relievers if the pain is too much to bear.
- If you have a sensitive skin, apply sunscreen before going out.
- Protect yourself from the sun. You’re not solar-powered.
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Acne Breakouts
Acne appears mostly on the face and will look like pimples with blackheads or whiteheads. Acne can be annoying because it makes your face look like it doesn’t care about your skincare routine.
They are caused by your pores being blocked by sweat and oil that your skin produces when the temperature is high. Although some types of acne are caused by hormones.
Our beauty queens and kings hate to see these coming, and you should too. Here are some ways to treat these breakouts:
- Shower regularly to keep your skin and face clean.
- Don’t let sweat dry up or stay long on your face without washing it off.
- Avoid popping them. It’ll either cause a scar or lead to more acne.
Eczema
When you develop a personal beef with bathing, and you let sweat dry off on your body consistently, you risk getting eczema.
Eczema are patches on the skin that might appear dry, and discolored in comparison with the skin around that area, and can also cause itchiness to that part of the body.
Here are some tips on how to treat eczema:
- Shower regularly.
- Avoid scratchy clothes and harsh skincare routines.
- Apply triple-action creams (Antifungal, Antibacterial, and Anti-Inflammatory).
Whether you’re mostly outside or always indoors, this heat will definitely make you question why you were born in Nigeria and why you’re still in Nigeria.
From sweating profusely to those annoying little rashes, this current heat wave can cause your skin to react in some ways that will make your skincare routine look like a joke.
Join us in the Skincare community to learn more ways to take good care of your skin, and also get tips to prevent severe skin reactions.
