Summer heat can make eczema flare up heres why and how to prevent it
Dry, flaky skin typically goes hand in hand with cold winter temps.So when my eczema flared up this past summer, I was taken by surprise.The condition is usually most prominent on my hands, and heat seemed only to exacerbate the issue.According to Dr.
Elizabeth K.Hale, Chief Medical Advisor at Vacation, sweating under the summer sun is a common trigger for eczema.“People with eczema already have a compromised skin barrier, which makes the skin more vulnerable to irritation,” she explained.
“The salt in our sweat can sting already sensitive skin and trigger more itching.Scratching then further disrupts the skin barrier, which can make a flare harder to calm down.”Additionally, as the body works to cool itself, blood vessels dilate, triggering the movement of inflammatory cells, per Dr.
Sapna Palep, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Journelle Skin.Chlorine, salt water, outdoor allergens and increased sun exposure can all contribute to inflammation as well.When it comes to reducing eczema symptoms during the summer, less is more.Hale suggests looking for a rich, fragrance-free cream or ointment that helps restore moisture and support the skin barrier.
You don’t need to pile multiple products on top of each other — a little goes a long way.“During an active flare, what you leave out can be just as important as what you put on.I would avoid fragrance, essential oils, harsh exfoliating acids and other ingredients that tend to make already irritated skin feel worse,” she noted.Below, find the top products to treat an eczema flare-up over the summer (and during dry, cooler temps throughout the rest of 2026), per dermatologists.Eczema can cause uneven texture or flakiness, and this moisturizer tackles the problem straight from the source.“Eczema-prone facial skin tends to have a weaker skin barrier.
This daily treatment moisturizer is enhanced with malassezin, squalane and hyaluronic acid to strengthen the skin barrier and deliver deep,...