Summer Skin Problems in the Pacific Northwest: How to Treat Heat Rash, Sunburn, Poison Oak, Mosquito Bites & More

Summer is finally here in the Pacific Northwest, and while many of us can’t get enough of the sunshine, our skin doesn't always love the season back. Whether you’re dealing with sunburn, mosquito bites, or seasonal rashes, we’ve got you covered with evidence-based tips to treat, soothe, and survive our season’s most common skin problems.

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1. A Prickly Situation – Heat Rash

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What do you do when your own sweat creates a prickly situation? Heat rash (also known as prickly heat or miliaria) is a bumpy, itchy rash that pops up in some of your sweatiest areas. 

Here’s what you should do if a heat rash starts to form: 
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1. Avoid the urge to itch! Scratching often delays healing and can cause an infection.
2. Find a way to cool down, including air-condioned environments. 
3. Wash and be gentle. Use cool or lukewarm water to clean the area and pat it dry. Do NOT scrub the rash. 
4. Avoid covering the area. Put on clean, loose clothing that doesn’t rub against your skin.
5. Use a cool washcloth as needed to soothe the prickly feeling.
6. If you're in itchy agony, try an anti-itch lotion like calamine lotion to get relief. 

Heat rash happens when sweat ducts become blocked, trapping sweat beneath the skin. When a sweat gland gets clogged, the sweat flows back into the skin’s layers, causing inflammation and the resulting rash. It’s most common in areas that don’t get a lot of airflow, such as skin folds, creases, and clothes-covered areas. 
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If your rash doesn’t improve after several days or becomes infected, it’s time to set up a quick same-day appointment at your local ZoomCare clinic. 

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2. The Mid-Summer Scorch – Sunburns

Prevention is your best defense against sunburns, which can lead to premature aging and increased risk of skin cancer.
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1. To keep your skin protected, always use SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply it every two hours. 
2. Don't forget to wear protective clothing, such as hats and long sleeves. 
3. Seek shade during peak sun hours when UV rays are strongest. 
4. If the sun was stronger than expected, start by cooling your skin. A cool shower, bath, or cold compress can not only provide sunburn relief, but help bring down inflammation.
5. Ibuprofen can also help with pain and swelling. 
6. Aloe vera and other after-sun products may help soothe discomfort and moisturize sunburned skin, but there is limited evidence that it speeds up healing or reverses skin damage. 
7. Finally, remember to hydrate! Staying hydrated is important because sunburn can draw fluid to the skin and increase your risk of dehydration.
   

Pro Tip: Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream isn't generally recommended as a treatment for sunburn because evidence that it speeds healing is limited. Cool compresses, moisturizers, NSAIDs, and hydration are typically more helpful.
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3. The Hidden Path Rash – Poison Oak and Poison Ivy

In Oregon and Washington, hiking is one of our favorite summertime activities, but it can lead to a brush with poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. These pesky plants are coated in a sticky, long-lasting oil called urushiol. When it touches your skin, it causes a red, itchy, blistering rash. 
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If you do come into contact with poisonous plants this summer, don’t wait for it to get worse.
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1. Wash the skin as soon as possible with soap and cool water to remove urushiol oils before it binds to the skin. 
2. Soothe the itch with cold compresses and over-the-counter topical treatments, such as calamine lotion. 
   

While plant rashes usually resolve on their own within a few weeks, they can be extremely uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor if you have a severe reaction, or if a rash appears on your face or genitals. An oral steroid like Prednisone might be necessary. 
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Avoid the itch on the trail. Learn how to spot poison oak and poison ivy with these helpful identifiers from the FDA. 

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4. The Summertime Buzz – Mosquito Bites

This is the part of summer that really bites. That annoying itch you tried to avoid with citronella candles, insect repellent gadgets, and sprays. If you spend enough time outdoors, mosquito bites are bound to happen.
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1. The "don't scratch” rule is the first thing to remember. Scratching creates tiny openings in your skin, allowing for bacteria and infection to make their way in.
2. Instead, clean the area with soap and water and apply 1% hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching.
3. You can also try at-home topical remedies like aloe vera and oatmeal.
   

If the bite becomes increasingly painful, develops pus, has spreading redness, or you develop fever or swelling, skip the guesswork and book an appointment right away. 

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5. The Sunny Season Breakout - Summer Acne 

‍Does it feel like your skin is suddenly oilier than it was just a month or two ago? Hot weather increases oil production, and sweat combined with oil, and bacteria on the skin can contribute to clogged pores and acne flare-ups.
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Regardless of where and when summer acne pops up, the treatment is relatively the same.
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1. Cleanse the affected area daily with a gentle face or body wash that contains glycolic or salicylic acid. 
2. You might also want to switch up your skincare routine, too — using oil-free makeup and sunscreen will ensure you don't further clog pores. 
   

Pro Tip: Our ZoomCare Dermatologists are here to help with persistent, severe acne and other chronic skin conditions. Find a provider near you. 

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6. The Summer Skin Bumps – Folliculitis

Those itchy bumps you thought were acne, might actually be folliculitis. It occurs when hair follicles become inflamed, often due to bacteria, yeast, friction, or irritation. It causes itchy, acne-like eruptions that are commonly found on shoulders, legs, and thighs. 
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It's more common during the summer because heat, sweat, friction, and tight clothing can irritate hair follicles and promote bacterial growth — especially if you frequently wear workout clothes or spandex. Tight clothing compresses the hair follicle, making bacteria more likely to grow there. 
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Another common summertime culprit is hot tub folliculitis, a temporary rash caused by bacteria that can grow in inadequately maintained hot tubs or pools. 
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To prevent folliculitis, shower and change your clothes right after a workout. If you’re prone to breakouts, avoid tight, non-breathable clothing that traps sweat against the skin. 
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If you do develop folliculitis, it'll likely clear up in a few days with basic self-care measures. However, if it persists, be sure to contact your dermatologist as more severe cases may require prescription medication. 

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When to Call a Dermatologist

• Sunburn causing blistering, fever, or chills
• A rash that spreads, worsens, or appears on your face or genitals
• Mosquito bites showing signs of infection (spreading redness, pus, warmth)
• Summer acne that isn't responding to OTC treatment after several weeks
• Folliculitis that persists past a few days or keeps recurring
• Any rash accompanied by difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or widespread hives should receive immediate medical attention.

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