Summer weather and activities can cause eczema to flare up due to sun and heat exposure, but you can still enjoy the outdoors when you take a few simple steps to protect yourself.
Having good sun protection can go a long way toward lowering your risk of experiencing eczema symptoms during summer. Keep the following tips in mind before heading outside this season.
Apply Sunscreen
Putting sunscreen on is among the most effective ways to reduce your risk of eczema flare-ups during summer. Having sunscreen on has the added benefit of protecting your skin from other harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays as well, such as sunburn, which can damage your skin and trigger eczema symptoms. While it’s important to apply sunscreen, make sure you use one with gentle ingredients that won’t irritate your skin. This means avoiding sunscreens that contain alcohol and other irritants. The sunscreen you use should also have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and provide broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
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For the best sun protection, you should apply sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin before heading outdoors. This includes areas that are easy to overlook, such as your face, arms, hands, and the tops of your feet. Keep in mind that your skin also needs protection from the sun when you’re driving, so apply sunscreen before getting in your car. Put sunscreen on about 15 minutes before leaving your house to give it enough time to begin working.
Sunscreen provides good protection, but it doesn’t last indefinitely. You should reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often if needed while you’re outside to ensure reliable sun protection.
Avoid the Sun During Its Brightest Hours
The sun is strongest between the hours of 11am and 3pm, so it’s best to avoid being outside during this time if possible. If you’re planning to spend time outdoors, aim to go in the morning or evening rather than in the middle part of the day. You’ll still need to apply sunscreen if you go outside when the sun isn’t at its brightest. However, being outside during these times rather than mid-day can help reduce your risk of having eczema symptoms flare up.
Wear a Hat
When you go out this summer, consider wearing a hat. Having a hat on provides your face with added protection from the sun’s rays, especially if you wear one with a broad or wide brim. For even greater protection, look for hats made from UPF fabric. This fabric has ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) to help shield your skin from the sun’s rays.
Wear UPF Coated Clothing
In addition to wearing a hat, you can look for UPF coated shirts and other clothing to wear outdoors. This provides you with even more protection from the sun. UPF coating helps block some of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation from reaching your skin through fabric. With UPF coated clothing and sunscreen applied to exposed skin, you can enjoy reliable protection from the sun and a lower risk of eczema flare-ups this summer.
Stay Comfortable All Summer Long
Putting all of these tips to use this season can provide you with great protection from eczema flare-ups. You can look forward to enjoying plenty of time outside in the fresh air while also getting relief from eczema symptoms you might experience. When you protect your skin from the sun, you’ll also have a lower chance of ending up with sunburn and other sun damage. For even more protection from eczema this summer, drink plenty of water, wear loose clothes, rinse off after swimming, and keep your skin moisturized.
