prev arrow Back to Articles

Why Does My Eczema Flare Up in the Summer? Top Triggers & Tips

According to the National Eczema Association, the way seasonal transitions impact eczema has fascinated scientists for decades. If you have ever noticed your eczema worsening as humidity changes and temperatures rise, you’re not alone. This might also lead to the question, “Why does my eczema flare up in the summer.”

 

To clarify this concern, we will come up with 3 specific triggers that cause summer eczema flare, including:

 

  • Intense sun exposure;
  • Excessive sweat;
  • Heightened seasonal allergies;

 

Understanding these potential triggers can help inform appropriate summer eczema management strategies, allowing you to enjoy the warmer months better.

Summertime Triggers: The Sun

The first reason in “Why does my eczema flare up in the summer?” is the sun. The sun’s UV light can dry out and weaken the skin's ability to retain moisture, leaving your skin vulnerable to eczema flare-ups.

 

Some people find that their eczema improves with exposure to sunlight (this is particularly true of contact dermatitis and discoid eczema), while others experience a worsening of their condition.

 

Besides that, many chemical sunscreens, with ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone, can aggravate eczema symptoms. Choose sunscreens with paraben-free ingredients. It's best to select gentle and sensitive skin products to prevent flare-ups, such as mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as UV filters.

When choosing a sunscreen, look for soothing ingredients like:

  • Aloe Vera: Natural and soothing, aloe vera is brimming with vitamins to help soothe your skin
  • Shea Butter: Anti-inflammatory and will help skin retain moisture.
  • Sunflower Oil: Helps build and protect the skin barrier.
  • Jojoba Oil: A natural oil that is rich in vitamin E and helps hydrate your skin.
  • Vitamin E: A potent vitamin that helps prevent free radical damage caused by UV rays.

When reading packaging labels, watch out for these ingredients:

  • Fragrance: These can cause allergies or a flare-up and cause inflammation.
  • Octisalate: An irritant that causes inflammation and absorbs UV light.
  • Avobenzone: Breaks down into smaller compounds that inflame the skin and cause flares.
  • Oxybenzone: Can interfere with hormones and disrupt ceramides. Homosalate: hormone disruptor and skin allergen.
  • Homosalate: Hormone disruptor and skin allergen.
  • Octocrylene: Increases skin allergens and is an irritant.
  • Octinoxate: Can cause skin reactions and acne.
  • Alcohol: Propagates irritation and stinging and can be called ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, lanolin, or benzyl.

 

Be cautious with these ingredients for better skin health. These ingredients help keep your skin calm and protected in the sun.

 

The National Eczema Association recommends applying moisturizer 30 minutes before applying sunscreen to reduce skin irritation.

Summertime Triggers: Sweat

Sweat can trigger eczema flare-ups in summer. When sweat pools in the inner elbows and behind the knees, the moisture evaporates, leaving salt on the skin. This salt includes copper, nickel, manganese, iron, nickel, chloride, and lead. This build-up will irritate the skin, causing itching and stinging, which irritates inflamed skin patches.

Summertime triggers: Seasonal allergies

When the season changes, eczema might flare up due to the following reasons:

 

  • Allergens: Pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander are commonly mentioned. The level of these factors might be different over certain times but can trigger inflammatory responses from within and cause skin irritation.
  • Weather and humidity: In the summer, increased heat and moisture can lead to more sweat and dehydration of the skin. This can affect skin sensitivity and eczema flare-ups.

 

In addition, “children born into families that have a history of seasonal allergies (sometimes called hay fever) or asthma are at risk of developing eczema flare-ups,” the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reported. That’s why you should be more careful when these triggers occur in your family members.

9 Ways For Managing Eczema Flare-Ups in Summertime

Now that we have clarified “Why does my eczema flare up in the summer?”, it’s time to learn how to control potential triggers to improve your eczema symptoms.

 

  1. Keep Cool, Minimize Sweating, and Stay Hydrated: To reduce sweating, cover up with clothing made from natural fabrics, stay in the shade, stay indoors, or in an air-conditioned environment. Also, remember to drink lots of water and always wear sweat-wicking clothes when in the sun. Natural fabrics like linen or cotton pull moisture away from the body, allowing sweat to evaporate and reducing the chance of overheating.
  2. Try Phototherapy to Help Prevent Flare-Ups: This uses both UVA and UVB light and can be an effective treatment to help control eczema and prevent flare-ups. UV light has a beneficial effect on the immune system, particularly by reducing the number of T-cell lymphocytes in the skin, which are responsible for triggering inflammatory responses central to eczema. The UVB wavelengths, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, are especially useful in managing symptoms. In addition to phototherapy, other treatment options include topical treatments, immunosuppressants, and biologics.
  3. Quickly Change Out of Damp Clothing: If you suffer from eczema, staying dry during the summer is best. The perspiration built up in your clothes can trigger eczema-prone skin immediately. Swap your wet clothing for dry ones and moisturize after with a hydrating moisturizer.
  4. Use an Air Purifier to Combat Environmental Triggers: Installing air purifiers in your spaces can help remove harmful factors like pollen or dust, reducing allergic reactions and skin irritations.
  5. Rinse Off Possible Triggers: Chemicals in chlorinated pools are potential triggers for sensitive skin. But salt in seas contains minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium, and may have antibacterial properties. Deep seawater may help certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, although this may be due to the high nutrient content rather than salt. So, to remove the chemicals after swimming in the pool, you should shower immediately. If no shower is available, bring fresh water to rinse your body immediately. Don’t forget to apply moisturizer and sunscreen to your damp skin afterward. 
  6. Take Daily Showers or Baths to Maintain Skin Cleanliness: Baths and showers can remove all accumulated dust or sweat from your skin. For optimal results, limit bath or shower time to ten minutes or less to prevent skin dryness and irritation.
  7. Apply Ceramide-Rich Moisturizers to Repair the Skin Barrier: Ceramides can help nourish the skin’s barrier and prevent flare-ups effectively. That’s why Phoilex created a formulation of ceramide complex, hemp-derived CBD, and natural oil extracts called Phoilex's Active ReLeaf Spot Gel. 

 

Keep your mind relaxed: Stress can trigger eczema flare-ups and worsen chronic skin symptoms. Consider trying relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga. Setting aside even 10 minutes daily for stress management may help reduce flare-ups and improve overall well-being. Also, try Phoilex’s Liverty Dynamic Drops, a tincture designed to be taken daily to protect against nervous system inflammation and prolonged stress.

 

If you're wondering whether eczema is worse in summer or winter, you're not alone. Each season presents unique challenges for those managing eczema. While these tips can provide guidance, consulting a dermatologist for personalized treatment remains the most reliable approach to managing your condition.

How Do You Treat Atopic Dermatitis In The Summer?

To control atopic dermatitis, you can prefer both natural therapies or medications. However, the best recommendation is to learn how to keep your skin cool, moisturized, and comfortable. In addition, some medicines should be considered for comprehensive treatment.

 

  • Topical corticosteroids and anti-itch medications;
  • Antifungals, antibiotics, and antivirals;
  • Prescription-strength moisturizers;
  • Topical CBD creams;
  • Healing herbal creams, gels, or lotions;
  • Immune system-suppressing medications.

Keep Your Skin Happy and Healthy With Phoilex!

Our blog explores“Why does eczema flare up in the summer?” by identifying common summertime triggers and expert tips to manage this condition effectively.

 

If you're looking for natural, anti-inflammatory solutions to heal eczema patches, improve skin health, and prevent flare-ups, explore Phoilex’s range of products designed for sensitive skin—right here.

FAQs

Here are some relevant questions about eczema flare-ups in the summer:

 

1. Is eczema worse in winter or the summer?

Eczema can flare up in both winter and summer, depending on individual triggers.

 

  • Winter: Cold weather, low humidity, and indoor heating can dry out the skin, leading to more severe flare-ups.
  • Summer: Hot weather and sweating can irritate the skin, while sun exposure and chlorine from pools can worsen the condition.

 

Ultimately, seasonal effects on eczema vary among individuals. Pay close attention to your specific symptoms—such as itching, redness, and skin irritation—to identify your personal seasonal triggers and seek timely medical advice.

2. Why does my eczema flare up when it's hot?

Summer heat and humidity make skin susceptible to itchiness and redness. Summer conditions also cause more sweating, a potential trigger of chronic skin conditions like eczema.

‌

References:

Related articles

How to Reduce Eczema Inflammation: Effective Tips & Treatments

Can Dehydration Cause Eczema? The Impact on Dry Skin

6 Best Diets To Reduce Eczema: Foods to Soothe Irritated Skin