Dear Dr. Jen,
We went to the beach and I noticed that I had very itchy rashes and blisters on my skin. It was really weird because it was only on the spots where my swimsuit was. Is this contagious and what can I apply to make it go away?
Julia
Dear Julia,
There is a skin condition called "seabather's eruption," which typically only shows up on the area covered by the swimsuit, rash guard, swim cap and flippers. This is caused by jelly fish or anemone. The larvae get trapped under the swimsuits and bursts when you get out of the water to dry. Some people even call them sea lice. This condition is NOT contagious.
If you can manage to take a fresh water shower without your swimsuit immediately after swimming, that would be best. Sometimes the pesky, itchy rashes are accompanied by vomiting, nausea, headache and fatigue.
You can medicate it with anti-inflammatory lotions together with oral anti-histamines. If the blisters become infected then you might want to have it checked out by your PDS derma.
Dear Dr. Jen,
I am prone to getting freckles. Is there a way to avoid getting more freckles if I go to the beach?
Cecile
Dear Cecile,
Freckles usually run in some families. As you may have already guessed, sun exposure adds more freckles and makes your existing ones darker. A high SPF sunblock (50 or higher) would be good to start with. However, as the day progresses, sweat and water will likely erase it.
Frequent application of sunscreen throughout the day is advisable. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat will help. Staying out of direct sunlight during 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is also good for your skin. Wearing rash guards with sun protective factors can also lessen freckles on your chest and neck. You can take all the sun-protection advice collectively and, hopefully, your freckles will behave.
Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). For information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/. For questions or concerns, please text to: 0932 857 7070; or email to: askskinrepublic@gmail.com; or call The Freeman: (032) 2531276, or PSH: (032) 233 8620 and 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.