Why Is My Eczema So Bad In Summer?

When you think of eczema it’s easy to associate it with the winter months. The cold air during winter leads to dry, itchy skin and eczema flare-ups. But it’s not just the winter season that worsens your eczema. The summer months can lead to flare-ups as well. So why is your eczema so bad in summer?

The summer months bring a different set of challenges to your eczema management plan. While the cold and dry air that worsens your eczema in the winter is absent in the summer, there are several factors that can cause flare-ups.

Heat

The warm, sunny days of the summer can feel great, but the heat may be worsening your eczema. High temperatures lead to sweating, especially in the folds of your skin which are areas prone to eczema.

When your sweat dries, it can dry out your skin too. Also, your sweat contains salts and other minerals, and this residue can irritate your skin. Scratching this irritated skin can lead to inflammation, and an eczema flare-up.

It’s not just the heat during the summer that causes sweating. Many outdoor activities can cause you to sweat and worsen your eczema as well.

Sun Protection

The sun plays a role in why your eczema is so bad in the summer. More specifically, it’s the way you protect your skin from the sun that may cause eczema flare-ups.

Protecting your skin from the sun is absolutely essential in the summer. If you or your child have eczema, then it is important to take a look at your sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that may irritate your skin, worsening your eczema.

An alternative to chemical sunscreens are mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens provide protection from the sun and from moisture loss, as they are often more moisturizing.

Water Sports

If you or your child swim often during the summer, make it a habit to rinse your skin as soon as your get out of the water. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can cause skin irritation.

Washing your skin with water can also dry it out, so it is best to apply a moisturization right afterwards. If you or your child are swimming outdoors, remember to apply a mineral sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.

Skin Care

The heat and sun in the summer can leave you sweating, especially if you are outside. This may make you think that your child doesn’t need moisturizing because their skin isn’t dry. However, even in the summer, skin care is as important as it is in the winter.

Include a moisturizer in your eczema management toolkit for the summer. Regular moisturization can help to keep your child’s skin soothed. Read the labels of your child’s moisturization and keep an eye out for fragrances and harsh chemicals. These can often be triggers for eczema flare-ups, and avoiding them can be a useful eczema management strategy.

Hydration

Keeping yourself and your child hydrated is important all year round, even in the summer. With high temperatures, outdoor activities, and sweating, you may become dehydrated in some circumstances. Eczema and atopic dermatitis can staying hydrated even more important.

Dehydration not only affects your body, but your skin as well. For eczema-prone skin, dehydration can lead to dry skin. Add in sweating, pool chemicals, or even food triggers, and your child may experience a flare-up. Remind your child to drink fluids regularly, and keep bottles of water with you wherever you go.

Probiotics

Even with the right moisturizer and sunscreen for your child, it can sometimes be hard to avoid sweating and eczema flare-ups. An adjunct therapy that you can explore is probiotic supplements. ProZema Probiotic Supplement is clinically proven to reduce the symptoms of eczema and atopic dermatitis.
ProZema features a patented blend of unique probiotic strains:

• Bifidobacterium lactis CECT 8145, 
• Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347,and 
• Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104

These strains offer antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory characteristics and, promote microbiome diversity in the gut. Research published in JAMA Dermatology clinically proves that ProZema Probiotic Supplement reduces the symptoms of eczema and atopic dermatitis in children.

ProZema is a convenient adjunct therapy that you can include in your child’s eczema management toolbox. This probiotic supplements blends easily with room-temperature foods and drinks, so you can mix it with your child’s meals. ProZema is packaged in individual sticks that you can carry with you on vacations or on a day out.

Ask your pharmacist about ProZema today.

Summary

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that currently has no cure. Triggers for eczema flare-ups can include foods, household chemicals, and even the seasons. While the dry, cold winter air can cause eczema flare-ups, the summer months can worsen your eczema as well.

If you find that your or your child’s eczema is bad in the summer, try one or more of the following management strategies:

• Minimize sweating by going outdoors on cooler days and staying in the shade
• Check your sunscreen for harsh ingredients and opt for physical or mineral sunscreens
• Rinse off your child’s skin as soon as they get out of the water when swimming
• Apply a moisturizer regularly
• Stay hydrated throughout the day
• Include probiotic supplements to manage your child’s eczema from the inside out

References:

Everyday Health: 8 Ways to Avoid Eczema Flare-Ups in the Summer
Allergic Living: Controlling Eczema Flare-Ups in the Summer
National Eczema Association: Earning Your Place in the Sun