Three skin conditions to watch out for during the hot, humid Hong Kong summer, according to a dermatologist

Chan advised those who suffer from sunburn to drink plenty of water. “Sunburn can cause the body to lose fluids, so staying hydrated can help your body heal,” he said, adding that applying a gentle, alcohol-free moisturiser can help speed up the skin’s healing process.

Avoid products that contain petroleum, such as mineral oil, as they can block the pores on our skin and trap heat, making the burn worse or even leading to infection, he explained. And although some turn to ice packs to help with sunburns, they can actually dry out the skin and worsen the pain.

Besides sunburn, those living in subtropical climates, such as Hong Kong, are more prone to acne. “The hot, humid summers increase perspiration, as our body sweats more to cool down. The excess sweat can mix with dirt and oil on your skin and clog your pores. This can cause acne, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin,” Chan said.

The dermatologist has also observed that acne is becoming more common in younger people, even children as young as 10 years old. One cause could be rising global temperatures and increased humidity, which leads to more sweating.

Stress can worsen the condition, as well as hormonal changes, PMS and family history. “If not treated promptly, acne will get worse and cause pigmentation and scarring,” Chan said. “This can lead to even more stress and anxiety about one’s appearance, especially for teenagers, and can even cause depression.”

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Chan warned against using toothpaste to treat acne, as it is not an effective way to control oil production and may even worsen the breakout. “I’d strongly advise going to a skin specialist who will administer treatment depending on the severity,” Chan said.

He added that a dermatologist would usually prescribe an antibiotic solution or a topical retinoid – medicine that can help treat acne by unclogging pores, reducing inflammation, and making new skin cells grow faster. Those with more severe acne – with lots of large, painful cysts – could be given oral antibiotics that more effectively reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin and decrease inflammation.

According to Chan, warts are a lesser-known skin condition related to hot weather. Warts are small, painless growths caused by a group of viruses called the human papillomavirus (HPV). These bumps can appear on any part of the body, including the hands, feet, and face. They may itch sometimes, and hot weather can make warts worse.

“There are [many things that cause] warts, but the most common one during summer is people wearing flip flops or even going barefoot to allow their feet to ‘breathe’. This means [their] feet are exposed in public areas, such as pools and locker rooms, [which] increases the risk of coming into contact with HPV,” he cautioned.

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Chan advised getting warts treated as soon as possible, as they are contagious and can spread to other parts of the body and other people. “See a dermatologist instead of attempting to self-treat. Some people try to apply antiseptic solution to the wart to ‘kill’ the bacteria, but this causes it to spread to other places instead.”

Chan usually uses cryotherapy to remove warts. It is a medical treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy or remove abnormal tissue; patients only need a few sessions to remove warts, and they can resume their normal activities right after each treatment.

“It’s easy to protect yourself against these skin conditions,” Chan said. “Always remember to use sunscreen, practise good hygiene by washing your face and hands regularly, moisturise your face, and keep your feet dry. That way, you can still have fun under the sun.”