How to Manage Summer Eczema Flare-Ups

Summer weather offers a well-deserved respite from harsh, lingering winters, so you might be planning to soak up as much summer sun as you can in the coming months. 

But if you’re worried about summer eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) raining on your parade, you might be thinking twice about donning that bathing suit and hitting the pool. Are eczema flare-ups more common in the summer? Can you prevent them? What can help with managing eczema during warm weather? 

In this guide, we’re answering these questions and more. We’ll explore whether or not eczema flare-ups are more common in the summer, break down three potential triggers for flare-ups, and provide four key tips to keep your skin hydrated and itch-free all summer long.

Are Eczema Flare-Ups More Common During Summer?

It’s hard to say whether eczema flare-ups are more common during the summer months. Eczema symptoms present differently for everyone, and people respond differently to seasonal triggers [1]. 

But one common denominator for eczema flare-ups is dry skin, which can strike at any time [2]. 

Many people manage (or prevent) dry skin by keeping up with a personalized skincare routine. But, your skincare routine could be easily disrupted by:

• Summer fun – Whether you cruise the Caribbean or hike the Appalachian Trail, you might not be as diligent about your skincare routine while you’re on summer vacation. 
• Sweating – If you live in a hot climate, every trip outside might leave you drenched in sweat. As a result, you might be more likely to apply your skincare products more lightly than usual to keep your skin cool (if they even last through the afternoon). 
• Aquatic activities – You might skip key steps in your skincare routine and just apply a waterproof sunscreen if you plan on dipping into a cooling lake or pool.

Simply put, the summer presents many opportunities for skincare routine disruption. And, if you have eczema, these factors can all cause a flare-up.

3 Triggers for Summer Eczema Flare-Ups

Along with interruptions to your regularly scheduled skincare routine, other triggers can cause summer eczema flare-ups. Let’s explore a few common causes of summer irritation.

#1 Sweating

While it might sound counterintuitive, sweating issues can lead to dry skin and itching for people with eczema [3]. Why?

• Decreased sweating – According to a recent study in the Journal of Experimental Dermatology, people with eczema actually sweat less than people without the condition [4]. Decreased sweating can lead to heat retention in the skin and skin dryness—a recipe for itchiness.
• Sweat gland physiology – People living with eczema have unique sweat glands that are more tightly closed than they are in people without the condition. As a result, instead of collecting on the surface of the skin, sweat can often leak into the dermis (the second layer of skin) and cause a tingling sensation. 
• Glucose concentration – The study also revealed that people with eczema had higher concentrations of glucose in their sweat. Glucose can slow the recovery of your protective skin barrier, which can slow healing and cause irritation. 

You’re almost guaranteed to sweat this summer, and issues with sweating might lead to an eczema flare-up.

#2 Pollen

Itching plays a key role in eczema—it’s both a symptom of the condition and can contribute to further skin irritation [1].1 And during the summer, environmental conditions like increased pollen in the air can contribute to skin itchiness [5]. 

For people with seasonal allergies, pollen can trigger histamine release throughout the body. Histamine is an immune system compound that can cause [6]:

• Inflammation
• Itching
• Runny nose

Seasonal allergies and eczema-prone skin can make for an itchy combination during the summer months. So, if you’re no stranger to taking over-the-counter allergy medication, you might be more likely to experience an eczema flare-up in the pollen-laden summer air. 

#3 Moisture Retention

Lack of moisture can be common during warm weather, and unfortunately can be one of the common eczema triggers as well. If you have eczema, moisture retention in your skin should be top of mind this summer. Letting pool water dry on the skin rather than toweling off, for instance, might contribute to an eczema flare-up [7].

Avoiding water retention might sound counterintuitive. If people living with eczema must manage their dry skin to prevent a flare-up, why would moisture retention be a bad thing? 

People with eczema typically apply moisturizer after using a facial cleanser. So, they’re locking in moisture when their skin is clean. Moisture retention can become problematic when the water our skin is retaining is contaminated with:

• Bacteria – Bacteria are everywhere, but they can be especially concentrated in bodies of water like lakes, rivers, or oceans [8]. 
• Allergens – Pollen can collect on the water’s surface, potentially clinging to your skin and bathing suit when you dive in. If you have seasonal allergies, histamine release might lead to itching [4].4
• Harsh compounds – The chlorine in pool water and the salt in ocean water can both irritate and dry out your skin [9]. 

Managing Summer Eczema and Avoiding Flare-Ups: 4 Tips

These eczema triggers leading to itchy skin and uncomfortable feelings can disrupt the time meant for laying back and relaxing. With all of the above potential stimuli in mind, how can you avoid a summer eczema flare-up? Here are four tips that will help you prevent skin irritation this season.

#1 Maintain Your Skincare Routine

For people with eczema-prone skin, skincare is crucial—especially during the summer when dry skin can cause severe irritation. 

If you already have a personalized skincare routine that helps manage your eczema during the rest of the year, stick to this routine rigorously (even while you’re on vacation). 

If you’re not consistent with your skincare routine (or you don’t have one), summer is the perfect time to commit to hydration, sun protection, and healthy skin. PROVEN is all about simplicity; if you’re new to skincare, we recommend starting with small steps like:

• Cleansing your skin at least once a day
• Applying a daily moisturizer with SPF in the morning
• Using a rejuvenating night cream before bed

Creating a summer skincare routine consisting of cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from the sun can all help you avoid the itchiness and irritation that can trigger a summer eczema flare up. Don't forget, you tend to have sensitive skin with eczema so be diligent about your routine and follow skin care tips that help manage flare-ups.

#2 Stay Cool

Sweating is a given during the summer months. But, avoiding sweating altogether might not be a practical approach to summer eczema prevention. 

While you might not be able to completely prevent sweating, focus on keeping yourself as cool as possible by:

• Spending time in the shade – Along with the added benefits of sun protection, staying in the shade as much as possible will help keep you cool and reduce sweating this summer.
• Dressing for the weather – Consider sporting lighter fabrics as the weather warms up to keep from overheating. 
• Carrying a hand towel – Whether you’re hitting the gym, tending the garden, or chilling poolside this summer, dab away sweat with a hand towel or handkerchief to prevent irritation. 

While people with eczema sweat less than people without the condition, making efforts to reduce sweating can help prevent the side effects of dermal sweat leakage and glucose-heavy sweat—both of which could contribute to or worsen a flare-up.

#3 Change Out of Wet Clothes Quickly

Keeping your skin from retaining less-than-clean water can help prevent skin irritation that could cause a flare-up this summer. Changing out of wet bathing suits and sweaty clothes as quickly as possible is key. 

Here are a few tips to make quick changes more convenient this summer:

• Pack a change of clothes – Consider keeping a change of clothes in your car or backpack this summer. If you take an unexpected swim or get sweatier than expected at a barbecue, your backup clothes will come in handy.
• Wet suit, dry suit – If you’re at a pool party or plan on a full beach day, you don’t necessarily need to change into dry clothes after taking off a wet bathing suit. Instead, you could change into a dry bathing suit to stay cool without risking moisture retention. Plus, you’ll be ready for another dip at a moment’s notice.
• Pick quick-change-friendly items – Instead of leggings, rompers, button-up shirts, or overalls, opt for items that are quick and easy to slip on when it’s time to dry off: skirts, dresses, shorts, or t-shirts.

#4 Manage Seasonal Allergies

1. Using an air purifier at home – To reduce household allergens, pick up an air purifier to filter out pollen and prevent an allergic reaction. 
2. Taking over-the-counter allergy medication – Instead of waiting until your nose starts running to take your first dose of allergy medication for the day, get ahead of your symptoms by taking a dose before leaving the house. 
3. Talking to your allergist – If you have severe seasonal allergies, consider making an appointment with an allergy specialist to discuss more in-depth treatment options. 

And, if you do experience seasonal allergy symptoms, focus on relief efforts that keep you from scratching:

• Use an anti-itch cream like hydrocortisone
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt in a lightweight fabric
• Take an antihistamine or other anti-inflammatory medication

Discover a Personalized Skincare Routine With PROVEN

Preventing summer eczema flare-ups can be a challenge. But, by looking out for common triggers and taking preventative steps to protect your skin, you can avoid irritation to enjoy a relaxing, comfortable summer. 

Whether you’re new to skincare or you’re looking for more from your skincare routine, PROVEN can help. Our formulas are personalized for your skin type, gene expressions, lifestyle, and environment—and they’re backed by the latest in skincare science. 

Discover your customized formula by taking our three-step skincare quiz.