When you’re out in the dry air of your camping, backpacking, or hunter’s existence, your skin can feel it. The desert heat can cause a sweaty, clammy feeling that makes you need to rinse off as soon as you get home. In the colder months, even the brief exposure to sub zero temperatures can cause similar discomfort. This is why many people prefer camping and hunting in the summer months when it’s not quite so hot.
However, with the lack of humidity and moisture in these less hospitable climates, your skin reacts accordingly. When your skin is dehydrated from being out in such a tough environment for prolonged periods of time, it will appear wrinkled and loose. Your skin will also tend to appear duller with an underlying yellowish hue instead of its usual pink glow.
What causes dehydrated skin?
The top three factors that contribute to dehydrated skin are exposure to temperature extremes, dehydration from inactivity, and salt from sweat. Additionally, if you have a dry climate where there is not a lot of humidity, your skin might also be irritated by this dryness. Dehydration tends to occur when your body is unable to produce enough oil for proper lubrication and hydration.
As a result, the water content in your cells decreases causing an imbalance between the water-soluble components like lipids and proteins. This can lead to a breakdown of these components and cell damage leading to wrinkles and other issues on your skin. People who are at risk of developing dehydrated skin should drink plenty of fluids while they’re out camping or hunting.
Men should drink at least two liters per day while women should drink one liter per day in order to avoid this issue. Dehydrated skin can also be caused by using harsh soaps or detergents on your skin which strips away moisture from it.
It’s not uncommon for people with eczema or sensitive skin conditions to develop issues like dehydration due to their condition because they wash their face too often which causes their natural oils to mix with the soap or detergent making their skin more prone to irritation and drying out.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration
Even if you’re experienced in the great outdoors, you might not be familiar with how to take care of dehydrated skin. With these signs and symptoms, you can recognize dehydration and begin your treatment immediately. Look out for dry patches on your skin that don’t appear red or inflamed. In most of these cases, they are temporary, meaning that by using a humidifier at home or humidifying serums, creams, and lotions while you’re out in the world will get you back to normal in no time!
How to fix dehydrated skin
The first step to combatting this is simply bathing. Bathing will help to rehydrate your skin and remove any excess oils that might be built up. You want to make sure you get the whole body wet, not just your face. This can be tricky, as most people don’t feel like getting in a pool of water when they are trying to get ready for bed or take care of their outdoor adventures.
This is where using lotion comes in handy. Lotions are great for dry skin due to their moisturizing properties and usually contain a wide variety of essential oils that will provide relief from dryness without leaving any oily residue on your skin. Another great option is a bonfire at night time. Have one of these in the backyard with some marshmallows and enjoy the warmth while enjoying some s’mores!
Tips for outdoor living in the summer
If you’re going to be in the outdoors during the summer, here are some tips for how to best care for dehydrated skin: – Invest in a good sunscreen. Make sure that your SPF is at least 30. Sunscreen is an important part of caring for your skin on the go because it will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, which can cause issues like wrinkles and premature aging. – Drink plenty of water. As mentioned previously, the lack of humidity means that you’ll dry out quickly when you’re out in the field.
Keeping hydrated is important so that you don’t get dehydrated and have to deal with the uncomfortable side effects of dry and wrinkled skin, among other things. – Wear protective clothing on your body as much as possible. If you’re going to be playing in mud or snow, wearing clothes such as long pants or a full length coat will protect your skin from getting too dirty or wet and help prevent dehydration from occurring. – Take care of yourself after returning home. Once you get back home from your trip, make sure to shower and moisturize in order to restore moisture to your skin – especially if it has been exposed to harsh elements like wind or cold weather during those outdoor excursions.
How to prevent dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin is an unfortunate side effect of outdoor activities that can be prevented with the right care. Here are some proactive steps you can take to avoid dehydration:
1) Take a break from hunting or camping every 2-3 hours and drink a full glass of water. This will hydrate your body as well as keep you from becoming dehydrated because of excessive sweating.
2) Use an external moisturizer on your face and hands before heading out into the wild so that it doesn’t become too dry when you don’t have access to regular hydrating resources.
3) Avoid alcohol, which dries out the skin, especially on your face. Alcohol also builds up in your blood stream and can lead to headaches, confusion, and other effects that make it difficult for you to stay alert during hunting or camping trips.
4) Keep your face protected against sun damage by using sunscreen and wearing a hat outside if needed. Sunburns can cause wrinkles on the skin where they happen and also dry out the area surrounding them.
5) Wear layers so that if one layer gets wet or too warm, you have another layer to protect yourself from dehydration.
6) If any areas start showing signs of dehydration such as wrinkles or discolorations, immediately soak them well with cool water for about 10-15 minutes until they return to normal again
Conclusion
Dehydrated skin, also known as xerosis, is a condition in which the skin becomes dry and scaly. Dry skin is usually caused by a combination of environmental factors and skin genetics. The condition can be treated with topical treatments, as well as dietary changes. Dehydrated skin is also more common in children and people with certain medical conditions.
FAQs
How does the desert heat affect the skin?
Desert heat can dry out your skin, which is actually a good thing. When your skin is dry, you have more blood flow to the surface of your skin, allowing for better healing. Your pores also stay open when your skin is dehydrated. This minimizes the buildup of impurities in your pores, which makes your skin look its best and feel its best too.
Of course not all deserts are created equal. Some are hotter and drier than others, so if you regularly go camping or hunting in the desert Southwest, you may get used to just how parched it is at times. Another thing to consider is UV exposure. If you are spending a lot of time outside in the sun doing activities like fishing, hiking or even working in your garden outdoor activities, don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun with sunblock or a hat to block any UV rays that may be hitting you unprotected.
Since heat tends to aggravate acne breakouts, it’s even more important to take care of your skin wherever you go and whatever you do! Eating a well-balanced diet with lots of water and getting moderate amounts of rest daily will all help keep your skin healthy and glowing from the inside out.
How does the cold weather affect the skin?
1). Although your skin is dehydrated, your skin continues to produce oil, which helps lubricate your skin and protect it from the effects of wind and cold.
2). Your skin’s blood circulation can be decreased in the cold and wind, so blood does not flow as well through the skin. This can result in red marks on your skin where blood flow is restricted.
3). When exposed to the cold, your blood temperature drops about two degrees Fahrenheit. Your body responds to this by producing more blood vessels in your skin in an attempt to keep blood flowing to all parts of your body. The vessels then constrict when the temperature returns to normal.
4). Another response that occurs to prevent hypothermia (a lowering of body temperature) is vasoconstriction (narrowing of veins). The increased production of melanin in your skin also provides a further degree of protection.
What are the consequences of dehydration?
When your skin is dehydrated from being out in such a tough environment, it can become paper thin, easily tear, and develop painful and visible sores. When you do this in the sun or with extreme heat, you’re only making the problem worse. These are some of the terrible consequences of dehydration:
