Eczema in Summer

Most people with Eczema find that exposure to moderate amounts of sunlight is beneficial, and some will find their eczema may improve. Other people, however, experience a deterioration of their eczema in sunlight. Either way, it’s essential to protect your skin from excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays because of their possible harmful effects including sunburn and drying of your skin that can lead to premature signs of ageing or exacerbate dry skin conditions.

Here are some tips to ensure your eczema prone skin stays moisturised and protected.

• Be even more generous than usual with your regular moisturiser and perhaps use a heavier cream than usual at night. If you can, apply your emollient about half an hour before applying a sunscreen. This will stop the sunscreen from becoming diluted and keep its protective properties. Kenkay’s Dermatological Moisturiser and Extra Relief Cream are good choices.
• Wear loose long sleeved cotton tops and trousers which will keep the skin cool and protect from the sun. Especially during flare-ups. Natural fibres for clothing, such as cotton or linen are preferable to synthetic fabrics that can make you feel hot and sweaty.
• Good advice is to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm. Even on cool or cloudy days, ultraviolet rays still penetrate.
• Use a sunscreen that is fragrance free
• Make sure that before you go swimming, you apply a good moisturiser. It may help to apply a thick layer of emollient. After swimming, a rinse or a soak in the bath with oils suitable for eczema may soothe the skin after a trip to the beach or pool. Try Kenkay’s Dermatological Shower & Bath Oil or Liquid Mineral Concentrate Bathing Therapy. As usual, apply a good moisturiser after your shower or bath
• For advice and information on sunburn visit http://www.skincancer.asn.au/page/2215/sunburn

 
Exerts of the above have been obtained from the Eczema Association Australia