If there is any truth to the nursery rhyme “April showers bring May flowers,” you can get ready for allergy season and eczema flareups when the weather gets warmer. Depending on where you live, vacation plans are set and early summer routines — dusting off beach chairs, rescuing corn hole bean bags from the attic, hosing down the grill and purchasing swimsuits — are in full swing. While most people work to avoid sunburn by wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, skin irritations persist for sufferers of eczema.
Anyone with dry-enough skin can have eczema, a condition where inflammation leads to dry, itchy skin. According to Dr. Dina Strachan, board certified dermatologist and owner of Aglow Dermatology in New York, “atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. It tends to be genetic, associated with allergies and asthma, but gets better with age.” Allergies and eczema are actually closely related, as inflammation and skin breakdowns caused by environmental factors, living in urban areas, traffic pollution, smog and genetic factors combine to cause discomfort. In the US, Dr. Strachan tells SheKnows, “African Americans are more prone to eczema and think they can manage it on their own. They do not always have access to board certified dermatologists and don’t treat it like a chronic illness.” Even some dermatologists fail to treat eczema as a chronic condition, she adds.
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Eczema is not contagious and is most commonly found on the face, folds of elbows, knuckles, feet, and backs of knees, and even on palms. When the skin’s barrier, which is the largest organ of the body, is broken down by external elements, eczema shows up in multiple ways. According to physicians at the Cleveland Clinic, eczema may present as “atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, Dyshidrotic eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.” The type and severity will differ from person to person.
Why Does Eczema Get Worse in the Summer?
Typically, the best conditions for eczema are dry cold environments like the northeast and southwest — and indoors, where we can use heat and/or air conditioning to keep bodies warm during the winter and cool during summers. Hot showers and strong soap may feel good, but strip natural oils from your skin, setting the stage for an eczema flareup. Additionally, humid temperatures can intensify symptoms for some people “due to increased exposure to allergens like pollen, and summer activities like swimming in chlorinated pools, which can dry out and irritate the skin,” says Dr. Hadley King, board certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology. “Increased sweating when it’s hot and humid outside can also irritate sensitive skin and worsen eczema symptoms.”
This is certainly the case for licensed esthetician Jaqueline “Jaq” Gibson, who tells SheKnows, “I’ve had eczema my whole life, and in summer and winter, it drives me crazy.” As eczema is a blend of genetics and environmental factors, diet is also a possible causal factor. Gibson — who has tried everything, including steroid based creams — is still searching for an answer. “I still haven’t quite figured out what bothers me other than excessive sugar and dairy. Alkaline water seems to clear my skin faster.” Hydration for better skin and determining food allergies that stimulate inflammation may make a difference for those suffering from eczema.
How To Manage Eczema in the Summer
While some eczema treatments are important to use year-round — including any prescriptions or recommendations from your doctor — there are also a few things you do during these hot months to relieve some symptoms. Being hydrated during hot weather, for example, is especially important during the summer, when we’re spending more outdoors, enjoying time with family at picnics, barbeques, or time in nature. These activities, along with swimming at home or at the beach, should include a plan to keep eczema and other skin conditions at bay. That can include:
Showering after taking a dip in the swimming pool. While chlorine is used to kill bacteria to keep the pool clean, its chemicals irritate eyes, wrinkle fingers and toes, damages hair and dries skin. A quick rinse and reapplication of sunscreen will go a long way in reducing itching and discomfort.
Taking salt water dips to soothe the skin. Don’t miss a chance to take a swim in the ocean or a salt water pool this summer. Known as an exfoliant, salt water reduces skin inflammation may help relieve eczema symptoms like inflammation, lichenification, and cracking, according to a 2016 scientific review. On the other hand, if the salty water makes you itch, Dr. Strachan suggests using the showers at the beach to rinse off.
Rinsing your hair when the pollen count is high. Pollen is kryptonite to allergy sufferers, whose immune systems trigger inflammation and the body’s automatic release of histamines that lead to sneezing, watery eyes, hives and itchy nose and throats. “I recommend using an air purifier, air filter, and dust mite covers for pillow cases and mattresses,” Dr. Strachan said. You should also prioritize showering washing your hair, and changing when you come in from the outdoors, which helps to reduce the amount of pollen you spread throughout your house and on to furniture.
Another tip to keep in mind is moisturizing — but not in the way you might think. It may seem intuitive to apply heavy creams to dry, patchy, or scaly skin, but these kinds of moisturizers can actually aggravate your skin. In fact, “with increased humidity during the summer, less moisture is lost from our skin into the air,” Dr. King explains. “Ingredients like petrolatum, coconut oil and shea butter can feel too heavy. Lighter emollients may be preferred.”
Dr. King also recommends hypochlorous acid as “a very effective antiseptic that uses the same technology as bleach to kill microbes, but it’s not bleach and doesn’t bleach clothing, etc. And it’s not drying the way alcohol is. It has also been shown to reduce bacterial colonization and severity of eczema.” In product form, SkinSmart Antimicrobial Eczema Therapy’s active ingredient is hypochlorous acid. Dr. King explains that “the spray delivery makes it very easy to use, either at home or on-the-go — just spray and then let it air dry, no scrubbing required.” It doesn’t leave a residue and is “great to use” on any eczema-prone areas, Dr. King says.
Other strategies include using a lotion or cream immediately after showering or bathing to lock in moisture. Dr. Strachan recommends Eucerin Advance Repair Lotion, which she notes is not sticky and has good substantivity and lasts about 24 hours, and La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Moisturizer For Dry Skin.
When it comes to dealing with eczema in the summertime, it’s good to rely on a mix of these tools — just don’t forget to check in with your doctor before trying a new product or strategy. After all, summer should be a time for fun, freedom, and glowing, sun-kissed skin, hopefully with a minimum of itching.
Before you go, check out these top skincare tips from the Internet’s favorite dermatologist:
