I have to admit that the simple idea of going to the beach makes me anxious and once there I feel guilty... A walk along the shore, the sound of the waves, sand between my toes, my kiddos playing along, and the feeling of warm sun rays caressing my skin are some of those little things in life that bring me joy and melancholy at the same time.
Having photodermatitis has taught me to embrace what is unique about me, to savor each day and every little thing in life slowly. Despite my skin condition, I indulge myself with these little things from time to time...
I still battle when going into the sun. No matter how much sunscreen I apply or how long in advance, I find myself "burning" at the end of the day. Cold showers, plenty of ice cubes, and consistent Aloe applications give me some relief. Every time I go back is an opportunity to try harder, make an extra effort, and use more caution -- I take breaks under the shade, wear a hat and long sleeves, re-apply sunscreen, and drink plenty of water. I am certain that as long as I keep practicing extra precautions, I can safely enjoy the beach and other outside activities.
Here's what the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends for beachgoers (summarized):
• Use plenty of Sunscreen
A minimum of 30 SPF and water-resistant for a whole day at the beach. Applying 1 ounce (Yes, you read right! This is about a shot glass full) 30 minutes BEFORE you put on swimming suit and BEFORE you actually get out of the house (this allows the ingredients to fully bind to the skin). Reapply every two hours or right after swimming.
• Cover Up
Wear sunglasses, hat, and long sleeves. For us women, brightly colored, long sarongs are another option!
• Seek the Shade & Plan Accordingly
Early morning or late afternoon trips to the beach are best, because the sun is most intense between 10AM and 4PM. You can avoid the crowds and perhaps get to enjoy a stunning sunset!
+ Source: Skin Cancer Foundation. Sun Safety Tips for Beachgoers
:: 78ºF | High of 85ºF (50% chance of rain) | SUNNY | right side of the face extremely itchy
The first really-warm days are the hardest. A fifteen-minute drive on a 80-degree day sends me right to the freezer once I step in the house. Ice cubes have become my immediate remedy when my skin itches uncontrollably. I rub ice cubes all over my skin to bring some relief and to somewhat "numb" the irritated areas temporarily. I say temporarily, because it isn't until I scratch or until the numbing becomes somewhat painful that the itch stops for a while. And as much as I try not to scratch, sometimes I find it impossible. I found a pretty clear explanation on why itch doesn't stop until you scratch and what happens under our skin when we get itchy, is quite interesting.
While writing this post I learned that ice cubes are quite beneficial not only for irritated skin, but can also be a great remedy for acne and dark circles. A simple ice cube applied to your face each day can do wonders -- it tightens pores, checks sebum secretion (for those with oily skin), and gives you a glowing look!
I try to drink as much ice water as possible throughout the day to maintain a cool internal temperature, because getting too hot provokes my skin to itch as well. And I've just started to include in my daily routine an ice cube on my face whether it itches or not. You can use a bare ice cube or you can wrap a cloth around it. It is a good habit to let it sit outside the freezer for a few minutes before applying it on your skin, because the extreme cold of an ice cube straight from the freezer can break the capillaries (the smallest of the blood vessels) under the skin.
Do you have any other tips for itchy skin? I'd love to hear about them!
