Hot Weather Hacks: How to Prevent Eczema Flare-Ups This Summer

In the United States, it's estimated that eczema flare-ups during summer affect a substantial portion of the 31.6 million people who have eczema. Are you one of these people?

If so, then you’re going to want to read this blog, because we’ll be diving into a topic that’s as hot as the summer sun — eczema flare-ups!

The scorching weather can be a real challenge for eczema warriors like yourself, but fear not! If you’re seeking to learn how to control your eczema during summer, we’ve got all the skincare secrets you’ll need to stay fabulous and flare-up free all season long. Keep reading if you want to know how the summer heat may be contributing to your eczema flare-ups, how you can still enjoy spending a day at the beach or pool, and what the best summer skincare routine is!

Or if you're not sure if your symptoms reflect eczema or psoriasis, check out this blog to find out what the differences are.

How Summer Heat Can Cause Eczema Flare-Ups

Increased Sweat and Humidity

Two things that often go hand-in-hand with the summer heat for most parts of the world are sweat and humidity. They sound innocent enough, but for those who suffer from eczema, they are a dangerous duo that can cause nasty flare-ups.

For people who don’t suffer from eczema, sweat is a wonderful thing (aside from the occasional B.O.), because it helps keep the body cool and also has a moisturizing effect. For people with eczema, however, the story’s a little different. The loss in fluids from sweating causes those with eczema to have even drier skin, and the sodium in sweat can also cause itchiness and stinging. Ouch!

The other hot culprit of eczema flare-ups during summer is humidity, which causes the skin to feel sticky, leading to increased friction and chafing, especially in skin folds.

If you where you live tends to lean heavier on the humid side and it gets boiling hot during the summer, then you might be thinking to yourself, “Well, I guess I just have to succumb to my fate of getting terrible eczema flare ups every summer.”, don’t give up hope! Try out these following tips to prevent sweat and moisture induced flare ups:

Stay Cool and Dry:

• Use fans or AC to keep cool indoors
• Take cold showers or baths to keep your body temperature low
• Pat — don’t rub — your skin dry with a soft towel after bathing or sweating to prevent irritation and chafing

Wear Appropriate Clothing:

• Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton to reduce irritation
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes that can cause friction and trap sweat
• Change out of sweaty clothes promptly to prevent moisture buildup

Hydrate and Moisturize:

• Drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated from within
• Apply a fragrance-free, hydrating moisturizer immediately after bathing and throughout the day as needed.
• Consider using a light moisturizer that won't feel heavy and greasy in the heat

Now that we’ve covered how sweat and humidity contribute to eczema flare ups, let’s actually go back one step and talk about how the heat of the sun and UV rays themselves negatively impact eczema-prone skin.

 Got other skin issues cropping up besides eczema flare-ups during the hot summer heat? Go here to find out how to maintain healthy, glowing skin no matter how hot it gets

The Effects of Sun Exposure and UV Rays On Sensitive, Eczema-Prone Skin

As you might already know, if you've lived on this planet for a year or two, staying out too long in the sun may cause sunburn. Sunburn alone is already painful enough, but sunburnt eczema skin? No thank you! UV rays cause inflammation and damage to your skin, which triggers your immune response and cause even more inflammation in an already inflamed area. To add insult to injury, UV rays can also strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to increased dryness and disruption of the skin barrier.

We may sound like we’re implying that you should never go out into the sun and that you should avoid it like the plague, but rest assured that you can still enjoy some fun in the sun, even with eczema. You just have to take a few extra precautions, which we’ll list down below:

1. Stating the obvious once more only because you can never be reminded too much for this tip: apply sunscreen! Apply and reapply often and be sure to use one that is suitable for sensitive skin.
2. Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses to shield your skin from UV rays.
3. Avoid going into the blazing sun during peak hours, which typically run from 10AM-4PM, depending on where you live. But, if you absolutely must, then be sure to follow steps 1 and 2 and to seek shade whenever possible

If you're reading this only after the fact and want to figure out the fastest way to repair your sunburnt skin, you'll find solutions here.

Look at that, there is hope at the end of this eczema laden tunnel! But before you go running to grab your swimwear and beach towels, let’s just touch on a few important things you should be aware of before venturing into the outside world. Namely, what precautions to take when it comes to splashing in the waters of chlorinated pools and the ocean.

1. Chlorine is a natural irritant and can strip the skin of its natural oils, which leads to dryness and increases the skin's susceptibility to irritation and infection.
2. Although chlorine is key in keeping pool water clean and sanitized, it can be harsh on sensitive skin. The chemicals in chlorine can cause irritation and inflammation, especially in individuals with eczema.

We acknowledge that we might’ve just made an innocent pool sound like the equivalent of boiling hot lava that will melt your skin off, but we assure you that you can still enjoy a dip in the pool on a hot summer day! We just recommend that you take the following precautions so that you don’t have to deal with an unnecessary flare up:

1. Before you get into the pool, apply a thick, fragrance-free day cream before swimming to help protect the skin from chlorine exposure
2. You should also consider wearing protective swimwear, such as long-sleeved swimsuits or swim caps, to reduce the amount of skin exposed to chlorinated water
3. Immediately after you’re done swimming, be sure to rinse off thoroughly with fresh water to remove chlorine from your skin
4. Gently pat your skin dry and apply a liberal amount of skin repair cream for sensitive skin to rehydrate the skin and restore your skin barrier

If you’re more of an ocean person than a pool person, then you’ll still need to take some extra care before and after you go swimming with the fishes (fish?), because there are several ways in which the beach environment can cause eczema flare-ups.

From the salt and pollutants in the water to the sand your skin will come into contact with, the ocean can be a hot spot for eczema flare-ups. If you recall that we mentioned how sweat can cause irritation to eczema-prone skin, then you’ll quickly understand how the high salt content in ocean water is similarly also irritating to the skin. Especially for those dealing with eczema, salt can be drying, leading to further skin dehydration and irritation.

Additionally, ocean water can be contaminated with pollutants, such as chemicals, sewage, and other waste products. These pollutants can irritate sensitive skin and exacerbate eczema symptoms. Lastly, if your skin is already fairly raw from eczema, then you can imagine how exfoliating it might not only be painful, but actually make it worse. In this case, the sand is the exfoliator. If your skin is extra sensitive, then you don’t want those sand particles causing physical abrasion on the skin and worsening your eczema.

If the question you’re now asking is, “So…can I even go to the beach still?”, our answer would be a resounding, “Yes!”. So long as you take the following precautions before and after swimming in the ocean, you’ll have a much higher chance of preventing eczema flare-ups:

1. Moisturize Beforehand and Immediately After: Apply a thick layer of a rich, long lasting face cream before heading to the beach to create a protective barrier on your skin. Applying a moisturizing skin cream immediately after rinsing off is imperative as well, as the moisturizer helps to lock in moisture and restore the skin barrier
2. Stay Hydrated: About 60% of our bodies are made up of water, so it's important to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out
3. Cleanse Thoroughly: After taking your dip in the ocean, it’s best to rinse off the salt water as soon as possible. If you have very dry, sensitive skin on your face, it’s best to use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser so that you don’t cause further irritation in cleansing the ocean salt and pollutants off

At this point, you’re now equipped with the knowledge you need to be able to enjoy the great outdoors without much fear of sudden flare-ups, but what about when you’re inside your home, still feeling the heat trying to barge its way in from the outside?

Summer-Specific Skincare Routines and At-Home Treatments for Eczema

Even when you're not outside, exposed to the various environmental elements that can induce an eczema flare-up, it's important to maintain an at-home environment and skincare routine that allows your skin to stay hydrated and healthy. When the heat of the summer is causing us to sweat more and experience more humidity and skin irritation, it’s important to switch up our skincare routine so that our skin can remain healthy and eczema-free throughout the season. Here’s how:

1. Hydrate with Lightweight Moisturizers. This one may require some experimenting on your end to see what’s optimal for your skin, but typically when the weather becomes hot and humid and you’re sweating like a cow in heat, it’s recommended to switch to a more lightweight moisturizer. This will provide your skin with hydration without causing it to feel too heavy or greasy in the sticky summer heat. You may want to try applying a lightweight moisturizer during the daytime when it’s hottest and switch to a heavier cream in the evening before you go to bed, since you won’t be able to rehydrate until you wake up the next morning. This fragrance-free moisturizer is the recommended moisturizer for sensitive skin!
2. Cooling and Soothing Products. Applying cool compresses helps constrict blood vessels, which can reduce the redness and swelling associated with inflammation. This can provide relief from the acute flare-up symptoms of eczema. Aloe vera has long been known as an aid for those suffering from eczema symptoms and inflamed skin in general. If you experience eczema on your face, try using this gel-like aloe vera face mask to help reduce irritation, prevent infection, and provide soothing hydration.
3. Humidifiers & Overnight Treatments. Keeping a humidifier running while you sleep will help keep your skin more hydrated and less itchy, which will in turn help increase your level of comfort so that you get a better night’s sleep. If your eczema is at the point where you have cracked skin, you may want to try using a hydration sleeve. Simply apply a generous amount of a thick, soothing moisturizer and slip the sleeve on before you go to bed. This sleeve should not only keep your skin from cracking further by preventing dehydration, but when used with a healing moisturizer should also help repair the damaged skin. Be sure to use it daily to see results.

So there you have it, friend! You’re all set to tackle the summer heat without letting that pesky eczema ruin your fun! With a bit of preparation and some clever tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be lounging by the pool and frolicking at the beach without a care in the world. Remember, it’s all about staying cool, protected, and well-moisturized.

Think of your skin as a high-maintenance friend – it needs constant attention and a little bit of pampering. So, arm yourself with cleansers, lightweight cotton clothes, and don’t forget to slather on that fragrance-free moisturizer like it’s going out of style. And sunscreen! Oh, you better believe you’re going to be applying and reapplying like it’s your new summer hobby. But if that’s what it takes to enjoy the summer fun like everyone else, then so be it. So go ahead, enjoy the sun, sand, and sea, but do it smartly. Your skin will thank you, and you’ll be the fabulous, flare-up-free queen of summer! Cheers to that!

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