People with eczema may be especially prone to flare-ups during the summer. Ju Photographer/Getty Images
- For people with eczema, the summer heat can cause itchy and uncomfortable skin breakouts.
- Medical experts stress that people with eczema need to be vigilant about managing flare-ups, especially when spending time in the sun on hot, dry days.
- For people with eczema, sunburns can not only further damage the delicate skin barrier, but also cause an acute worsening of skin inflammation as the body tries to heal itself from sun-induced injuries.
Midsummer is a time for barbecues, picnics, family reunions and beach vacations.
For those with chronic skin conditions, this season might be less about fun in the sun, and more about itchy, uncomfortable skin breakouts.
Why might people with eczema be particularly prone to breakouts during the summer? Eczema varies greatly from person to person, and a range of factors from geography to environmental changes can play a role in how it might affect you during the summer.
As with any chronic illness, experts stress being vigilant about managing flare-ups, especially if you plan to spend time in the sun on hot, dry days.
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Why hot, sunny days can trigger eczema flare-ups
When we talk about eczema, we are most often referring to eczema, defined by inflamed, irritated, itchy patches of skin that are often accompanied by a reddish rash. It can affect a range of ages, from newborns to the elderly, 65 years old and beyond. It is found in 1 in 10 Americans.
During the summer months, eczema may not be as serious for people who live in more humid climates. This is because warmer temperatures and additional humidity could actually "provide much-needed moisture to eczema-prone skin," said , health sciences clinical instructor in dermatologic surgery at UCLA Health.
The problem occurs in “very hot and dry climates,” he explained.
In these areas, “summer can often make the condition worse because dry heat dehydrates the skin, often causing flare-ups,” Soleymani told Healthline. “Plus, as summer arrives and people spend more time outdoors, overexposure to the sun and sunburn is a proven validation of summer’s arrival. »
He added that “sunburns are terrible for eczema patients because they not only further damage the delicate skin barrier, but also cause acute worsening of skin inflammation as the body tries to heal itself sun-induced injuries.”
Soleymani said that for this reason, eczema flare-ups often occur after sunburns, lasting longer than usual while your skin tries to heal itself.
, a board-certified dermatologist in San Antonio, Texas, with her own practice, Sonterra Dermatology, explained that eczema is definitely not a problem exclusive to summer. People living with moderate to severe eczema deal with flare-ups “pretty much year-round,” she told Healthline.
During the winter months, dry skin can make symptoms worse, while the summer months present “different irritants” like sweating and excessive sun exposure.
“Sunscreen products can be quite irritating to the skin. Usually, eczema patients tend to suffer all year round due to climate changes, seasonal changes, allergens in the air,” she added. “So everyone is a little different when it comes to what triggers their eczema. Summer can definitely be a difficult time for patients with this disease. »
Garcia said those long days at the beach can cause problems for people with eczema. In addition to the irritants in some sunscreens, sand, salt water and chlorinated pool water can be “quite drying” to the skin. Excessive sweating from hot days of tanning or outdoor activities or sports can also be a trigger.
“These are typical things that we sometimes don't think of as common irritants for people with atopic dermatitis,” Garcia said.
While the average person's skin provides some natural defense against these types of irritants, Garcia said people with moderate to more severe eczema have a compromised skin barrier, making them more prone to sun and to the summer sand.
Eczema puts a damper on summer
“Arsalan K.,” who asked not to be identified by his full name, has almost always lived a life with eczema.
He told Healthline that he first noticed milder symptoms at age 6 that were more "annoying" than "uncomfortable" such as mild redness and itching.
These flare-ups would usually subside and not interfere with one's daily life. At age 11 to 12, he noticed the disease “manifesting itself in a more uncomfortable way,” with “redness, discoloration, and large patches of swollen, cracked, sometimes bleeding skin.”
For Arsalan, tennis and athletics were a big part of his childhood until his young adulthood – he was a personal trainer – but he noticed his eczema symptoms worsening in his late teens until In his early twenties, he found it affected his ability to enjoy the activities he loved.
When exercising outside, he said he had to strategize when out in the sun to stay cool so he wouldn't stay outside too long in hot weather and risk a major eruption.
“I haven't been able to go out and do this kind of exercise,” said Arsalan, who along with Garcia is sharing his story publicly through “,” a public awareness campaign from Sanofi and Regeneron. “I would have to do this exercise at very difficult times of the day, which would end up being very inconvenient, just to overcome this problem. »
Arsalan said that beyond changing the way he socializes and exercises in sunny, exposed spaces, he also had to think about the clothes he wore, with some fabrics irritating his skin more than others.
He added that he had gone from "treating it from a physical activity perspective" to having it not just about what to wear, but "what you do and when you do it and choosing when going out to eat and being able to go out with friends. It really permeates everything.
Arsalan said he empathizes when others he comes in contact with describe how having sensitive, eczema-prone skin can make these summer months difficult.
“You have to be very concerned about things like choosing the right clothes, making sure you're wearing lightweight, breathable fabric, lighter colors that don't absorb as much heat, and trying to find areas of shade,” a he added. .
“You have to almost strategically map out your routes and say to yourself, 'OK, if I need to take a 20-minute break, it's not because you're out of breath, but it's because you've been sitting too long. sun.’ You have to find these strategic points to go inside a little bit. »
How to deal with summer eczema flare-ups
Arsalan's story is not unusual.
Both Soleymani and Garcia said that because eczema manifests itself so variably, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing it during the summer. Effective treatment depends on the case and severity of each individual.
If you are reading this and are concerned about your eczema symptoms, as always, consult your personal clinician to find out what might be the best treatment for you.
Soleymani said one of the best ways to combat the effects of summer on eczema is to "protect yourself from overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays and replenish your skin's natural barrier with adequate hydration if you live in hot, dry climates.”
“This doesn’t mean avoiding the sun completely, that would be impractical (and not fun!) during the summer. However, protection against overexposure can come in the form of sunscreen and sun protective clothing, which helps minimize the risk of sunburn,” he explained.
When it comes to choosing hydration methods, Soleymani suggested keeping your skin "moist and supple" with "a simple emollient." He said it is very useful for people who live in dry and desert environments.
"For those living in more humid climates, summer can provide a temporary and much-needed break from the heavier moisturizers used during winter and those that are a little lighter, as summer itself helps to provide additional hydration,” he said.
Garcia said people with moderate to severe eczema may need to moisturize “once, twice and even three times a day with a good emollient.”
She said the best moisturizing products are those that replenish ceramides, specific lipids in the skin that people with eczema tend to lack.
She said she personally steers people with eczema toward creams rather than lotions because “creams tend to protect the skin barrier better.”
Garcia said you need to be vigilant about the types of products you use on your skin.
Traveling in the summer can mean finding yourself for a week or two in a radically different environment than what you're used to. While the holidays are fun, it could mean breakouts for those with eczema. She directs her patients towards hypoallergenic moisturizing products.
“If it smells too sweet, too fruity, or a floral smell like a bouquet of flowers, then it’s probably not good for the skin,” Garcia pointed out. “Patients with atopic dermatitis sometimes tend to be allergic to other things. They tend to have food allergies, for example, or they tend to be allergic to nickel and metals and other things because they have this compromised skin barrier.
She warned that people with eczema also look for mineral-based sunscreens that have effective “physical barriers” against ultraviolet rays.
She said these would most often be sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These tend to be better tolerated by people with eczema or sensitive skin in general.
“Minimizing the use of chemical sunscreens is also helpful, and reapplying sunscreen when in the water and just remembering hats, sunscreen caps, and long sleeves can also be helpful,” a- she added as summer recommendations for people with eczema.
For his part, Arsalan’s therapeutic journey has evolved over the years. He tried topical corticosteroids as well as "more holistic treatments" recommended by his family, but decided to take it upon himself to eventually research what good options might be. He is currently on Dupixent, an injectable treatment that is part of Sanofi and Regeneron's campaign.
Since continuing this treatment, his symptoms have improved significantly and he has kept his flare-ups under control.
Soleymani suggested that if you have eczema and are heading to the beach or park, you should try to "avoid peak UV times to minimize the risk of sunburn."
“For those who live in very dry climates, keeping your skin hydrated during the dry heat of summer can help reduce your eczema flare-ups,” he said. “Plus, summer also means more pool and beach time. If you enjoy swimming, whether at the beach or pool, not only be sure to reapply sunscreen every few hours to reduce the risk of sunburn, but also remember that chlorine and Salt water can dry out skin as it evaporates from the body, so be sure to moisturize well after drying.
Garcia said eczema is a very manageable condition.
“Most of my patients with moderate to severe eczema live pretty normal lives in terms of quality of life,” she added. “Certainly, treatment options exist and you should consult a specialist. Most often, these patients are cared for by board-certified dermatologists. These patients have the tools to live healthier lives, better lives, and better quality of life. »
While it may require a few more strategies to enjoy summer activities than your friends who don't have eczema, treatment options are available to help you manage flare-ups, protect your skin, and enjoy beautiful weather and sunny days. with friends and family.
