Most of us have experienced at some point – the dry lips, itchiness, and general feeling of irritation that comes from chafing or long hours spent in warm, damp conditions. Unless you shave your head, you’re likely to experience problems with your hair, as well – whether it is tangling, becoming brittle, or has simply lost its luster. Luckily, there are some simple ways to alleviate most common diver dermatology problems and keep yourself looking and feeling great while enjoying some of the best diving the planet has to offer.
Basic Skin Care for Divers
One of the best ways to prevent irritated skin is to ensure that every piece of your gear fits properly. This greatly reduces the risk for chafing and irritation. In addition, cleaning your wetsuit and other gear thoroughly after each and every dive prevents bacterial buildup and besides helping you enjoy your equipment investment longer, it helps to keep you skin from coming into contact with chemicals or irritating salt deposits.
In addition, watch out for the skin bends, a form of DCS that manifests as dermatitis. This sickness manifests because nitrogen bubbles have formed inside capillaries, causing your body to release histamines just as it would with any other allergic reaction. Symptoms can arrive anytime between a few minutes and a few hours after you surface. The mildest form looks like a rash and feels creepy-crawly, as though you’re covered in tiny insects. Worse symptoms involve marbling, or Cutis Marmorata. Look out for bright red to purplish blue patches that have an uneven, marbled appearance. Besides this visual cue, marbling is extremely itchy to the point of being painful. You can prevent it by taking plenty of time for decompression, and if you think you might be experiencing a case of the skin bends, don’t take short cuts. Even though you might feel fine with the exception of a little itchiness, you could need to spend some time in a decompression chamber. If you suspect you have a case of cutaneous decompression sickness, get to a doctor right away because symptoms can worsen, leading to severe DCS.
Watch out for bacterial infections by practicing good hygiene. Dry yourself thoroughly as soon as possible, and invest in some body powder to prevent bacterial buildup, particularly if you are visiting the tropics. In places where showers are not readily available, do all you can to stay clean and dry; and you will be well on your way to avoiding common diver dermatitis problems. Wear sandals on the beach, too – parasites can burrow up into your skin through the bottom of your feet and cause major problems.
Last but not least, moisturize! Moisturizing regularly helps your skin stay in balance; plus it provides a barrier between your body’s largest organ and the harsh elements outside. Don’t forget to pay special attention to your lips – they are not capable of moisturizing themselves. Chapped lips and saltwater don’t mix; forgetting to use lip balm can greatly reduce the amount of enjoyment you get from a dive. Skin care products formulated just for divers are available – they cost a little more, but they’re worth the investment.
Hair Care for Divers
If you have long hair and you want to keep it that way, then you know how important it is to prevent breakage. Protect your hair when diving by wetting it with fresh water before exposing it to salt water – it will be less subject to brittleness if you take this step. In addition, only use soft fabric hair accessories to tie hair back, since elastic ones can snag and tear hair. Get your hair smoothed down before donning your mask – the process of wetting your hair beforehand really does help with this.
As added insurance, you can use leave in conditioner formulated specifically for swimmers and divers, and when you’re finished diving, be sure to use a clarifying shampoo to reduce trace elements that can accelerate dryness and breakage. After shampooing, use a high quality conditioner to soften and protect hair.
Looking good after a dive is no problem when you follow these simple rules, and feeling great in your own skin is part of enjoying good health. Remember your sunscreen, and invest in hair and body care products for divers; you’ll be glad you did!