Life in Dubai often means living between two extremes: a sharply chilled office, mall or car, followed moments later by intense outdoor heat and humidity. While the body is designed to adapt to changing temperatures, repeatedly moving between these environments can place extra strain on its cooling systems and on the skin barrier.

"When you step into extreme heat, blood vessels near the skin widen to help release heat, the heart works harder, and the body sweats to cool itself," said Dr Negin Hakim, Family Medicine Consultant. "In Dubai's humidity, sweat does not evaporate as easily, so this cooling process becomes less effective."

Back indoors, strong air-conditioning reduces the need for cooling but can bring a different set of issues. Cold, dry air may irritate the eyes, nose, throat and airways, especially in people with asthma, allergies or sinus problems. Doctors stress, however, that going from hot to cold does not directly cause a cold or flu. "These illnesses are caused by viruses, not by temperature changes themselves," Dr Hakim said.

The repeated switch can still leave some people feeling unwell. Headaches, fatigue, poor concentration and light-headedness are more likely when a person is dehydrated or has not eaten properly. Heat causes blood vessels to widen while sweating leads to fluid and salt loss; together, this can lower blood pressure and contribute to dizziness. Dr Hakim added that large indoor-outdoor temperature differences may contribute to dizziness, dryness of the eyes and throat, nasal congestion, runny nose and tiredness.

For the skin, the effect can be equally frustrating. Dr Maurizio Viel, Plastic Surgeon, described Dubai's summer as two climates in one day. Outdoors, heat increases sweating and oil production. Indoors, air-conditioning strips moisture from the air, encouraging water to evaporate from the skin's surface.

"The result is a common summer paradox: Skin that is oily and dehydrated at the same time," he said. "Patients often respond by using harsh cleansers and acids, which damages the skin barrier further and can trigger more oil production."

(Source: Khaleej Times)