Eczema In Cold Dry Weather
Winter air can be hard on your skin, drying it out and triggering an eczema flare-up. Hereâs what you can do:
Keep showers tepid. Itâs especially hard in the winter, but you always need to use lukewarm water in the shower or bath. Hot water can trigger symptoms, especially if youâre changing temperatures quickly — like coming inside from shoveling snow and hopping into a hot bath.
Moisturize! You should already be doing it daily — ideally right after you bathe — year round. But itâs especially important when the weather is cold. Make sure you apply the lotion your doctor recommends on any body parts that might be exposed to cold air, like your face and hands. Think of lotion as an extra barrier you need to help lock in moisture and protect your skin.
Guard against itchy clothes. Your cozy wool sweater can be an eczema trigger. If you do wear wool, use a cotton shirt underneath to cover your skin. Wear cotton gloves under your winter gloves or mittens.
Donât overheat. When youâre bundled up in a heavy coat, itâs easy to break out in an itchy sweat. Wear layers, and take them off and put them on as needed to stay comfortable.
Rinse Off Immediately After You Go Swimming
Chemicals found in chlorinated pools and salt found in the ocean could be a problem for those with sensitive skin. Just in case theres no shower in sight, bring along a spray bottle filled with water and use it to rinse off immediately afterward, according to the National Eczema Association. Follow up by reapplying moisturizer and sunscreen to protect the skin and keep it from drying out.
When To Speak With A Doctor
A person should see their doctor if they suspect they have a skin infection. This is particularly true when the infection develops in an area where their eczema tends to flare up.
If a person has noticed their eczema has worsened or is no longer responding to their usual treatment, they may benefit from speaking with a doctor or dermatologist.
A dermatologist can help a person identify the type of eczema they have and prescribe treatments that may be more effective. They can also refer someone for diagnostic tests, such as allergy testing, if necessary.
If a rash appears suddenly, spreads quickly, or shows signs of infection, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Also Check: Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream
How Eczema Affects Sweat
Eczema weakens the skin’s structure and sweating ability, therefore inhibiting the good moisturising action of sweat. When eczema is exposed to allergens , it triggers chemical reactions in the skin which can cause the sweat glands to leak below the surface. This can cause a tingling itch when sweat is produced. As well as being itchy, this below-surface sweat is not able to act as a cooling or moisturising agent.
Eczema will cause poor sweat function and impact the skin’s ability to withstand heat and as well as making it drier and itchier. Heat intolerance and skin conditions such as eczema can develop or worsen later in life. Skin becomes thinner as it ages, affecting the sweat pore structure. Eczema can worsen if we don’t get enough sleep and for many other reasons which you can read about here. Bacterial colonies live on the skin and are harmless, if not beneficial. However, it’s estimated that up to 90% of people with eczema have specific bacteria that may form a biofilm blocking the skin’s sweat pores. The sweat of some people with eczema has also been found to contain higher levels of glucose which can slow the healing of the skin and potentially promote infection and itching.
Noticing Skin Irritation From Sweat This Summer Here’s Why
Runner, dancer, baker, adopted dog mom, wisecracker
As the weather warms up for summer, you probably expect to deal with some level of sweating and chafing and all the skin irritation that comes along with it. Especially if your skin is sensitive or prone to issues like eczema, sweat can easily exacerbate how uncomfortable your skin feels when the heat is on.
Sweat’s primary function is to help cool you off, but that doesn’t stop this salty substance from introducing skin problems. Here’s how to overcome skin irritation from sweat and make this summer feel all too cool.
Recommended Reading: Best Vegan Body Wash For Eczema
Give Yourself A Pat On The Back
If clearing these skincare hurdles just so you can suffer through a workout feels overwhelming, remember why youre doing itthe legion of benefits to your health. A basic 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise spread throughout the week can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia and Alzheimers, and several types of cancer, according to the American Heart Association. And exercise is a known reliever of stressa pesky inflammation trigger, which can start an eczema flare. Now those are good reasons to keep moving!
Bathe Or Shower Daily To Keep Skin Clean
Taking a bath or shower each day can help clear the skin of bacteria as well as sweat and dust that may have accumulated over the course of the day. A study published in Asia Pacific Allergy found that children with eczema saw their symptoms improve as a result of bathing daily plus moisturizing immediately afterward in the summer months. Always be sure to wash with a mild soap that doesnt include dyes or fragrance, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Don’t Miss: Best Moisturizer For Eczema And Acne
Trigger : Exposure To Allergens Or Irritants
Hand eczema is often caused or worsened by exposure to a substance thats irritating think alcohol, bleach, cleansers or solvents or one that causes an allergic reaction, such as perfume or certain plants. Florists often get dermatitis on their thumb and forefinger when clipping chrysanthemums and tulips . In the kitchen, vegetables particularly garlic and onion can lead to a flare-up, especially on the fingertips. Even fabric can exacerbate hand eczema. Rough, coarse materials such as wool and stiff synthetics such as polyester can trigger an itch-scratch cycle that worsens the condition.
How to dodge it: Pay attention to what sets off your eczema. Whether youre at home or on the job, learn what irritates your skin and avoid or limit contact with those things, advised Dr. OBrien. Use a washing machine, dishwasher, and food processor when possible and ask other family members for help with housework, cooking and gardening to give your hands a break. Protect your hands from irritants and allergens by wearing vinyl or cotton gloves while you do chores. Wear heavy-duty vinyl or neoprene gloves at work if youre exposed to triggers there. If the gloves you have irritate your skin, ask your dermatologist for recommendations.
Why Does Sweat Make My Eczema Worse
Sweating is a natural response which helps the body stay cool, but it is also a common trigger for an eczema flare-up! In this article, I explain how sweat can make eczema worse, looking at the dual effects that sweat has on eczema and eczema has on sweat. Plus, I offer suggestions on how to help reduce sweat’s effects on eczema.
Sarah Hyland
Read Also: What’s The Best Remedy For Eczema
Why Is My Eczema Getting Worse
Eczema can get worse due to external factors such as changes in the weather or exposure to allergens, which can inflame the skin. Stress, lack of sleep, hormonal fluctuations specifically in the days after ovulation and before the period, and even age can all impact eczema-prone skin, causing it to become drier and itchier.
Eczema Coping Tips Avoid Changes In Temperature
Abrupt temperature and humidity changes can sometimes irritate the skin for example, going in and out of air-conditioned buildings on hot days or heated buildings on cold days.Hard physical activity or exercise that makes you sweat heavily can also trigger the itch of eczema.Suggestions include:
- In winter, dont overheat your house. Dress warmly when going outdoors and remove the extra layers as soon as you return.
- In summer, dont over cool your house. Air conditioners can dry out the air and irritate your skin.
- Avoid hard physical activity in hot weather. For example, do your gardening first thing in the morning, or in the evening when the sun is lower in the sky.
Don’t Miss: Best Way To Treat Eczema On Baby
Wear Light Breathable Fabrics
In addition to staying hydrated during exercise, its important to pay attention to the clothes you wear. Light, breathable, comfortable, and soft fabrics are key, especially if you suffer from eczema.
Cotton is probably the best fabric to wear because it is light. prevents the skin from getting too hot, says Dr. Green. She recommends avoiding any type of synthetic clothing.
Synthetic material, such as polyester, can draw sweat into your clothing. means that all that salty residue left behind after sweating is trapped between your skin and clothing. Another fabric to stay away from is wool since its fibers are known to irritate the skin.
Sweat Triggers Eczema Flare Ups Or Not
Eczema and sweat have a love-hate relationship. On one hand, sweat can be stinging for people with eczema. On the other hand, many unwanted substances get eliminated when we sweat it out. So that triggers eczema flare ups? Or does it help with eczema? We will explore this in much more detail in this article.
These are the sections that this topic has been split into:
- what is in our sweat
- does sweating help us detox
- chicken and egg question between eczema and sweat
- still exercise, just deal with the sweat later on
- strategies to cope with sweating for eczema warriors
You May Like: What To Do When Your Eczema Flares Up
Things That May Make Your Eczema Worse
Peoples life with eczema can be challenging. It is a chronic and recurring inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by inflamed skin patches that are super itchy, dry, and scaly. This may lead to leakage of clear fluid when you scratch it which in turn causes more itching.
Eczema is linked to an overactive immune system that changes the structure and function of the skin making it more itchy, sensitive, and vulnerable to irritants.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema which was once considered a malady of childhood as many kids would outgrow. However, much evidence supports that its a lifelong illness, and there may be more adult-onset cases than the researchers previously thought.
Even though there are promising eczema treatments available, atopic dermatitis can flare up over and over again with certain triggers making it worse.
Here are some of the common culprits that can exacerbate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
Go For A Swim With Care
Lap-swimming at the pool can be a great cardio burn, while the water keeps you cool and sweat-free. And according to the journal Dermatitis, chlorine in bleach baths can improve the symptoms of eczema by restoring our skins surface biomethe healthy bacteriawhile also fighting infection by reducing the amount of potentially bad bacteria, like staphylococcus aureus. Moisturize pre- and post-swim, and rinse off after your dip, per the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Note: Saltwater swimming can be a soothing soak for some, while others find it irritating.
Also Check: Best Body Exfoliator For Eczema
What Is In That Drop Of Sweat
Sweating is the bodys mechanism of cooling down when the body temperature increases. As the water in the sweat evaporates, the skin and the body cools, leaving the salts behind: mainly sodium, and lower amounts of chloride and potassium.
Try licking the sweat off your arm if you have not tasted your own sweat before , and youd be able to taste the sodium.
The sweat glands that excrete this watery mix are called eccrine sweat glands. They cover most of our body, and are our natural air-conditioners.
There is a different type of sweat glands, called apocrine sweat glands. These produce a thicker plasma mixture, and are located where hair follicles concentrate, like the armpits, scalp, and the genital area. In addition to some water and the salts, the sweat produced from apocrine sweat glands also contain fatty acids and protein byproducts, like urea and ammonia.
Eczema Coping Tips Reducing Skin Irritation
People with eczema have sensitive skin. Irritants such as heat or detergents can easily trigger a bout of eczema.Suggestions for reducing skin irritation include:
- Avoid overheating your skin. Wear several layers of clothing that you can remove, as required, instead of one heavy layer. Dont put too many blankets on your bed and avoid doonas.
- Dont use perfumed bubble bath or bath products labelled medicated.
- Wear soft, smooth materials next to your skin, preferably 100% cotton. Avoid scratchy materials, such as pure wool, polyester or acrylic. You could try a cotton and synthetic mix material this is fine for some people with eczema. Remove labels from clothing.
- Always wear protective gloves when using any type of chemical or detergent. You may want to wear cotton gloves inside rubber or PVC gloves.
- Avoid chlorinated pools. If you have to swim in a chlorinated pool, moisturise your skin well when you get out.
You May Like: What To Do For Bad Eczema Breakout
Vitamin And Mineral Supplements
Vitamins and minerals nourish your skin, and they assist in healing inside and out. If you havent looked into supplements, you might benefit from some or all listed below. Whole food sources help too.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid or Omega-6 fatty acids Probiotics Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish or flaxseed oil if not a trigger
What Can I Expect If Ive Been Diagnosed With Eczema
Nearly half of children with eczema will outgrow the condition or experience great improvement by the time they reach puberty. Others will continue to have some form of the disease. For adults with eczema, the disease can be generally well-managed with good skin care and treatment, although flare-ups of symptoms can occur throughout life.
Recommended Reading: Can You Just Get Eczema
Talk To Your Child About Stress
Its not easy being a kid these days. Between school work, peer pressure, and social media demands, kids face a lot of challenges. Add eczema to the equation and its even tougher. Whats worse: Stress aggravates eczema. They wont be able to eliminate stress altogether, but they can learn to avoid it when possible.
Its good to let your childs teachers know about the problem as well. They can help guide situations that are prone to stress and recognize the signs when your child might need help.
In general, the rule of thumb for kids with eczema is: Moisturize often and reduce triggers. When those efforts alone are not enough to control your childs flare-ups, us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lubega or book one online. We can help you calm the worst of it and learn to manage your childs eczema so they live more comfortably.
You Might Also Enjoy…
How Do I Take Care Of Myself
Reducing your stress is very important. Try these tips:
- Count to ten as you take a deep breath.
- Exercise daily.
- Try not to drink as much caffeine and alcohol.
- Sleep eight hours a night.
- Eat healthy.
- Try to have a positive attitude.
- Journal every day.
- Talk about your life with friends, family and a therapist.
Don’t Miss: Can A Person Develop Eczema Later In Life
Sweat Stings Eczema Skin
Now that J has come a long way in his healing, he does sweat from the hot weather, and from exercising, like any healthy person should. Which is a great thing! The not so great thing is, this sweat stings his skin, then itches it, and he would start scratching. Even after the sweat has dried up, the itching does not stop.
The same goes for M. When she sweats from the hot weather, she gets irritable from the itch that it causes her skin.
So to us, it is quite obvious that sweat does irritate the skin when you have eczema. This is because the skin barrier is compromised in eczema warriors. So the sweat discharged from sweat glands and ducts would end up on the semi-permeable skin, which is in a weakened state in people with eczema.
Are Your Eczema Issues Heating Up Here’s Why
Oh eczema – it affects people from all walks of life, and has so many different triggers. People have different symptoms and severities, and find relief through a variety of methods. On top of these variations, the seasons can impact eczema sufferers in different ways!
Some people see the worst rashes and allergic reactions as the weather transitions between temperatures. The cold, drying air of winter is the hardest time for most people with eczema but many people find their eczema worst in summer. A third of children in this 2021 study published in The Journal of Dermatology with problematic atopic eczema saw flare ups increase during spring and summer.
As always, there are a range of causes for these flare ups, in addition to the usual eczema triggers. Let’s begin with reasons why eczema can be worse in summer, and we’ll offer a range of ways to lessen or eliminate the impact of each one!
Read Also: Is Sauna Good For Eczema
Take Breaks To Cool Down
Keep your skin from overheating during exercise by using cooling packs and towels both during and after your workouts, Dr. Lio recommends. If symptoms start to flare, take a break and apply a towel like these until you start to cool down. If your skin seems resolved to flare up no matter what you do, consider breaking up your workouts. You can work out for 10 minutes, rest, towel off, and then go back and work out for 10 more minutes later, Dr. Sobel says. This will keep your skin from getting quite as hot and sweaty.