In summer, your skin is already on overdrive to safeguard you against scorching heat and hot dry winds. But, it tends to suffer even more when the skin barrier is weakened or damaged due to skin conditions like eczema (Atopic Dermatitis). For many, increased eczema flare up not only makes it difficult to enjoy outer summer activities but also interfere with day to day activities.
It is important to understand skin care basics and preventive tips so that your skin does not suffer much during summer months.
5 Tips to Combat Eczema During Summer
1. Use “Ceramide based cream” to repair and hydrate your skin barrier
A “compromised skin barrier” is the key reason behind skin affected with eczema. In this condition the ceramide content in the skin decreases and leads to dehydration and irritation in the skin.
Ceramides are lipids that are found naturally on skin cells playing an imperative role in skin barrier function that protects the skin from environmental toxins and helps to retain moisture.
Therefore, top dermatologists suggest to opt for creams that are enriched with ceramide to repair skin barrier and restore the lost moisture of skin for smooth and hydrating skin.
To double the effectiveness include ingredients such as -
Madecassoside
This bioactive ingredient aids to calm skin irritation, itching, and burning for atopic skin by enhancing skin hydration.
Shea Butter
That works as a skin calming agent that forms a protective layer over the skin to prevent water retention and hydrate skin.
Ingredients to avoid
There are also certain ingredients you need to exclude from your skincare products like
- Mineral oils
- Fragrance
- Parabens
as they can be harmful for sensitive skin. These ingredients easily trigger eczema by snatching away the essential oil from the and causing irritation and inflammation. Therefore, it is advised to avoid such ingredients from your products if you are going through eczema.
2. Avoid sweat, try to stay cool
Summers are all about sweating and keeping up the hydration game! Little do you know that perspiration or say sweating helps to cool off the body by releasing body heat. Sweat contains sodium that irritates the skin and causes itchiness and painful rash. As a result, it can worsen your eczema.
Therefore, it is important to cool down your body by making small changes in your daily routine.
3. Don't scratch, instead apply an over the counter product that has calming and itch relief properties
The urge to scratch when you get inflammation has an unmatched satisfaction! But when you scratch or rub harshly on eczema prone skin, it potentially damages the skin barrier that makes your skin more susceptible to itchiness and sometimes it leads to bleeding also.
To avoid such a situation, skin experts advise to use over the counter products that have mentioned “barrier lotion” or “skin repair” on the label. Such lotions with thick texture come with a soothing effect that calms the irritation of your sensitive skin due to eczema. Also look for ingredients like -
- Colloidal Oatmeal
- GLA (Borage Oil)
- Coco Caprylate Caprate
as they contain anti- inflammatory properties that calm inflammation and balance the Ph level of skin. Additionally these ingredients soothe the skin and repair your skin barrier and lend a softening effect on your skin.
4. Wear loose fitting, light clothing that does not cause friction
Wearing tight clothes that rub against your skin and cause sweating can also be another reason that triggers eczema during summer. So make sure to wear loose clothes with breathable fabric like cotton to avoid such situations.
5. Use mineral-based and fragrance-free sunscreen for sun protection
Sunscreen is the most important step in skincare routine. It guards your skin from the adverse effects of UV rays that can trigger eczema.
A little awareness of the type of sunscreen you are going to invest in can save your already damaged skin. In this light, it is better to opt for mineral-based sunscreens aka physical sunscreens for your sensitive skin.
Such sunscreens stay on the upper layer and do not penetrate into the skin. Hence do not irritate the skin. Additionally avoid fragrance in your sunscreen as it can irritate your sensitive skin.
Final takeaway
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) is a skin condition which can’t be cured completely but it can be managed successfully through right knowledge, care, and prevention. Since eczema is a condition that may cause you discomfort emotionally. Stress can also be one of the factors that can affect your eczema. Therefore it is important to manage stress by including yoga or other breathing exercises in your daily routine.
Preventive measures mentioned above can actually help you. All you need to do is accept your skin, love it and pamper it!
