Of course the best way to avoid sunburn naturally is to cover up. Hats or head-coverings are also useful protection against the sun. However, how a person covers up is also important.
If a person wears synthetic materials in hot weather they increase their chances of rashes, other skin problems and general body toxicity.
Many Muslim clients I see actually have the opposite problem – they do not get enough sun. Muslim women that already cover up before they go out into the sun should also make sure they get at least 10-15 minutes a day of raw sun exposure either near an open window or outdoors.
Foods with Carotenes and Lycopene can also help protect the skin from UV rays. Carotenes are found in vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, mangos and apricots.
Lycopene is found in red fruits such as tomatoes, red bell peppers and watermelon. In one study on Lycopene, the skin of test subjects was exposed to UV light at the start and end of the trial.
The researchers found that the tomato paste-supplemented group had 33 per cent more protection against sunburn, than the olive oil only-fed group. (Daniells)
Mold and Mildew
Exposure to molds also increases during summer months for many reasons. Increased rain in the spring creates increased mold growth which then thrives in the warm summer months. A humid summer only makes this worse.
When the air-conditioner goes off and the windows are shut these molds are trapped in the home and can make being at home a miserable experience for people with mold allergies. Fruits easily get moldy in the summer months and can also contribute to mold exposure.
The best way to combat mold allergies are to avoid molds and yeasts as much as possible. Some easy ways to reduce mold exposure are to:
- 1. Reduce bread and pastry consumption.
- 2. Avoid cheeses, mushrooms and pickles.
- 3. Increase vegetables and decrease fruits.
- 4. Avoid fruit juices unless they are freshly made from fresh fruits.
- 5. Eat only freshly picked or very fresh produce. Do not keep fruit in a fruit bowl.
- 6. Wear a face mask and clean mildew or moldy areas in the home with a bleach solution.
- 7. Sleep on allergy free bedding and change bedding and bathroom towels often.
Perfume and Unexpected Allergies
Summertime can be coupled with an increased exposure to perfume and scented lotions.
Bug sprays and suntan lotions usually have perfumes in them.
Additional perfume exposure can come from sprays used by airlines, bus companies, and hotels to keep their spaces “deodorized and sanitized”.
When planning a trip, a person who has sensitivities to perfumes should be sure to look online to find hotels that have “allergy free” rooms as an option and carry a face mask with them for plane travel or other situations where they may not be able to avoid exposure.
Protective masks can be purchased at the local hardware store in the same area you purchase paint brushes and paint.
Unexpected allergies also increase in summer months with the increase in travel.
There is always the chance that when traveling a person might experience unexpected allergies from a new plant, food or chemical they are exposed to.
If someone has a history of allergies – even if they have never experienced anaphylactic shock – they may want to ask their doctor to prescribe an emergency Epipen for them or at least bring along some strong antihistamine medicine for emergencies.
H1 antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine or Loratadine are popularly used to treat emergency anaphylaxis, however, is has been difficult to conduct research studies supporting the use of this treatment and these treatments also come with risks to the heart and nervous system. (Sheikh et al, French)
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Alternative treatments for allergic reactions include high doses of vitamin C, nettles, centipeda minima, sweet chestnut tree (Castanea crenata), Asian rose (Rosa davurica), hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata), ashwaganda, and Chinese skullcap.
Be sure to avoid herbs like cinnamon, cayenne pepper, dandelion root, Echinacea, ginkgo biloba, psyllium seed, St. John’s wort, yarrow and feverfew that have been known to cause allergic reactions in many people.
Homeopathic remedies such as aconitum, arnica montana and apis mellifica can be used alternatively to treat the after-effects of anaphylactic shock.
Foods and herbs containing Quercetin has also been shown to be helpful in treating allergic reactions.
Quertecin is the substance that gives many vegetables their color; however it is most abundant in apples, onions, green tea and St. John’s Wort. (American Cancer Society).
This article is from our archive, originally published on an earlier date, and highlighted now for its importance
References:
- Daniells, Stephen. “Study Supports Lycopene Protecting Skin From Within.” Nutraingredients.com. 29 Apr. 2008. Accessed 22 June 2009.French, Keith “Toxicity, Antihistamine.” Medscape. Accessed 22 June 2009.
- “Pesticides: Topical & Chemical Fact Sheets.” EPA. 5 July 2007. Accessed 22 June 2009.
- “Quercetin.” American Cancer Society. 11 Jan. 2008. Accessed 22 June 2009.
- Sheikh A, ten Broek VM, Brown SGA, Simons FER. “H1-Antihistamines for the Treatment of Anaphylaxis With and Without Shock.” Cochrane Reviews. January 24. 2007. Accessed 22 June 2009.
- “Sunless Tanning Product Ingredients.” Solveyourproblem.com. Accessed 22 June 2009.