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If you have eczema, learning how to manage your symptoms on a day-to-day basis can be difficult. Although there are many things you can do to control your eczema flare ups, there are certain times that they simply can’t be avoided. Now in the summer months, you may wonder if heat and sweating can impact your skin condition.
The short answer is yes: sweat can irritate your eczema. “You may find that if you are hot and sweaty, your eczema can begin to feel itchy, burning, or you may feel almost a ‘prickly heat’ sensation,” notes Dr. Miriam Hanson, dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas. Of course, during summer, it is almost impossible to avoid feeling hot or sweating. As a result, it’s important to find ways that help you deal with and manage your eczema during the hot summer months.
“Be sure to wear clothes that will allow your skin to breathe, and that keep you cool,” says Hanson. If you are tempted to wear something really tight-fitting that may cause you to sweat, you could easily irritate your eczema.
If possible, make sure that your home is a cool temperature. That way, when you come in from outside, your skin will get some relief and you’ll stop sweating. At the same time, make sure to not have your home be too cold, because you don’t want to shock your skin.
During winter, it’s important to keep your skin from getting dry. As it turns out, the same is true even in the humidity of the summer. “A significant number of medical research studies indicate that eczema arises from a problem with the skin’s barrier and inability for keep the skin hydrated. Keeping your skin moisturized re-hydrates the skin and manage eczema symptoms,” Hanson says.
Of course, spending time in outdoors in the summer is a simple part of life. So when you are out, be sure to use a sunscreen that is going to be effective and gentle at the same time. “The last thing you want to do is use a sunscreen product that could also irritate your skin,” Dr. Hanson advises.
Dealing with eczema can be very stressful at times, but you shouldn’t let it rule your life. By following a few simply steps, you can help to beat the heat and keep your eczema as calm as possible. Of course, if you are outside in the heat and sweating, just be sure take breaks that give your skin the chance to calm down and recover.
For more tips on managing your skin condition, or if you need additional help with your eczema, please contact us at Sanova Dermatology today.