Impact of Desert Climate on Skin Health in Remote Tribal Communities

Large areas of the regions of operation for the distant tribes are namely the large deserts and such a climate takes a heavy toll on the skin. Exposure to high temperatures, uv radiation, low humidity, and wind makes preventing skin damage a problem that has to be overcome. Specifically, in such a territory with a relatively low level of development of the medical industry, the tribes have developed their techniques for skin care. Knowing the impact of the climatic condition of a desert on skin and practice of such communities is important when dealing with skin related complications in such regions.

Dryness and Dehydration

It is surprising, but one of the first changes that happen due to a desert climate to skin is dryness. ‘humidity’ refers to the level of moisture contained in the surrounding environment and where there is little moisture in the air, the rate at which water on the skin surface dries up is relatively high. This constant loss of moisture which makes the skin lose its natural elasticity thus feeling tighten, rough and flaky can lead to dehydration. Drying of the skin due to exposure to dry air for a long time will result to cracking of the skin hence leading to susceptibility to infections especially when in a dusty and sandy environment.

However, in the remote tribal areas, there are very few options of having moisturizers or any product that can help in hydrating the skin. Some societies though have found ways and means of treating dryness through use of a natural substance in the society. Essential oils derived from plant sources, for instance, the argon nut tree, widespread in some desert areas have been used in feeding the skin. These oils assist in sealing in moisture and putting a layer of protection against annoyed environment and thus even the facial skin is well moisturized as much as the extreme weather condition would allow.

Sun Damage and Hyperpigmentation

In desert climate one of the biggest challenges is the level of radiant flux density which represents the intensity of sunlight. Its weather condition has few to no clouds and the environment is very large; that makes the intensity of the sun’s Ultraviolet (UV) rays high. UV radiation is known to have dire effects on the skin when one is exposed to it for a long time it causes sunburns, skin ageing, and skin cancer.. In another case, UV radiation helps in the development of hyper pigmentation, this is a skin condition whereby patch of the skin becomes darker than the other parts. This is a familiar problem with people, who live in desert and spend much time under the direct sunlight without having such modern facilities as sun blocker creams.

There are other ways, in which traditional tribal communities have been known to protect themselves against extreme sunlight. Among the known methods, the most frequently used includes the usage of clothing and coverings and natural origin. In many desert regions people wear clothing that are loose, long and which mostly hide the body, thus forming a barrier between the skin and the sun. Also, some of the tribal groups employ the use of natural clays or muds in making protective coatings on the skin. In theory these materials would act as a natural screen allowing some level of protection from the sun’s UV rays.

Traditional Healing Practices

However, due to the climate and isolation of living in the desert, the highly populated tribal areas have an extensive wisdom in approaching skin diseases. Most of these remedies include the use of plants and minerals is sourced locally and exist and have been in existence for several generations.

For example, there are specific uses of plants found in the desert like the aloe vera— well-known for having curb to fixing abilities. Aloe vera gel is very helpful in treating burns, cuts as well as other skin disorders which makes it a very important item to have when in the desert. The biggest use of this ingredient is due to its moisturizing and skin rebuilding properties that help to counter dry skin and skin damage caused by the sun.

Some of the other natural compounds are the clay or mud believed to exist in certain areas as that holds detoxifying and healing properties. These clays are then used as the masks or poultices to cure skin problems such as inflammation, irritation or acne. Mineral found in the clay are useful as it has the ability to suck out the impurities, calm down the skin and lessen the redness thus bring ease, from the harshness of the desert.

Skin Care and Perception in Different Culture

Besides, the skin colour and general perceptions over the health of the skin also inform the methodology used by the tribal people over the same. Black or tanned skin may be viewed as the product of admiring resistance and strength and as a bond with the land. Therefore, skincare regimes could perhaps be something different – not so much the preservation of the smooth, youthful skin and its flawless appearance but rather preserving the skin, or healing it when damaged.

These cultures determine what practices are employed in caring for the skin and these are usually from one generation to another. As much as to human bodies, skincare in desert societies is fundamental cultural practices where certain treatment for certain purpose such as preparing for a long journey or after a day in the scorching sun.

Challenges in Modern Access to Skin Care

However, modern practices also have relevance here and local populations have limited access to modern skincare products and heal cares services due to the remoteness of the locations where most of these communities live in. Such access to water results in worsened skin conditions especially when conventional measures are insufficient in providing adequate shield against climate conditions. According to the current eradication measures of skin diseases, better education and awareness of skin health and equal availability of cheap skincare products for the affected communities can to some extent help reduce pressure.

Conclusion

Fluency, low moisture and exposure to the harsh climatic conditions of the deserts affects skin primarily in the remote tribal regions in aspects such as dryness, the effects of the sun and sand erosion. However, these communities have come up with a number of traditional ways on how to defend and heal skin. It is possible to attend to the skin health care of such people and increase the standard of living by incorporating both traditional knowledge and the modern possibilities of skincare.


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