Did you know that certain weather and climates can trigger eczema? Knowing the best weather for eczema can help you plan accordingly to reduce chances of flare-ups. I hope this article helps you figure out how to deal with different weathers for your eczema child. Remember, to effectively treat eczema, we have to treat it from the inside and outside as well.
How does the weather affect eczema?
Eczema is a common skin condition that causes skin to be itchy, red, swollen, and painful. The cause of eczema is still being researched, but so far it looks like it’s due to genes and the environment.
One theory states eczema is due to a defective skin barrier that causes skin to flare up when exposed to certain triggers. One trigger is weather. In dry weather, the skin can be easily irritated. In humid conditions, sweat can cause the skin to be itchy. (1)
How does hot, humid weather affect eczema?
There are several reasons for eczema flaring up in the summer. First, high pollen count can trigger eczema. Second, dry and hot weather can irritate skin that is already sensitive. Third, high humidity and heat can cause children to sweat, which can cause eczema to flare. Sweat contains tiny amounts of minerals and metals such as zinc, sodium, chloride etc., which can irritate the skin. (2)
How does cold dry, dry weather affect eczema?
Several factors during the winter can affect eczema. First, dry weather leads to drier skin. Second, the type of clothes worn during the winter can exacerbate eczema. Clothes made from wool can help retain heat well, but it can cause itching for those with eczema.
Is eczema worse in summer or winter?
Eczema is usually worse during the winter season due to low humidity. This causes the air to be drier. (3) Using a humidifier can be helpful. (link to best humidifier article)
Another reason why eczema can get better in the summer is exposure to the sun. The UV rays from sunlight can help sensitive skin and help skin to heal. This is why one treatment option for eczema is phototherapy. (2)
How do you manage eczema during winter?
Moisturize! This is one of the key ways to help eczema whether in the summer or winter. The drier the skin, the more likely it will flare. During winter, you should reapply a moisturizer frequently,, especially if you are outside in cold weather.
There are different types of moisturizers (such as ointments, creams, lotions). Ointments have an oily texture that makes it greasy, but helps lock in moisture well. The oil also helps the skin to repair.
You can try this product in the winter (link to Honey Yoro).
Don’t forget to moisturize the exposed body parts
The hands and face need extra amounts of moisturizer since they are the most exposed parts of the body. Lips can get dry and irritated as well so keep it moisturized with a petrolatum product like Vaseline or Aquaphor. (4) (5)
What are the best moisturizers during winter?
Personally, the moisturizers I recommend during the winter are Vaseline or Aquaphor (link to aquaphor vs Vaseline article) and Cerave cream. This combination help severely dry skin suffering from eczema. (6)
Do humidifiers help in winter?
The short answer is, Yes! Humidifiers help in the winter. Read more about how humidifiers can help eczema here.
Very dry air (low humidity) can take away moisture from the skin and make eczema worse.
At the same time, people tend to turn on the heater inside (since it’s cold outside). This exposes children with eczema to dry air inside as well.
What should I wear during winter?
Avoid clothing (including hats, scarves, and gloves) made from wool and synthetic fibers such as polyester. They can trigger eczema. 100% cotton clothing is recommended.
Click here to read more about the best types of clothing for eczema.
Avoid overheating and sweating as these can trigger eczema. Dress in layers so that it is easy to remove if your child gets hot. (7)
How do you manage eczema during summer?
Stay cool and keep hydrated during the summer.
If your child swims in a pool, shower after swimming to wash off the chlorine. Also, don’t forget to moisturize! A lot!
Use a sunscreen that are physical blockers containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are considered safe for eczema as they are less likely to irritate sensitive skin than chemical blockers. Click here to read more about the best sunscreen for eczema.
Finally, choose clothing made from cotton, which is one of the best materials for eczema. This material is light, loose and breathable, which works well for eczema.
What skincare products should be used?
Use a moisturizer that is fragrance free and contains ceramide, which helps the skin barrier. Click here to read more about the best moisturizers for eczema.
Look for a body wash that is free of chemicals such as phthalates/paraben/dyes/fragrance/formaldehyde/SLS. Click here to read more about the best moisturizers for eczema.
How do you avoid flare-up of eczema in the summer?
During the summer, it’s important to stay cool. Sweat can cause eczema to flare up.
If your child sweats, use cotton material clothing as it helps absorb the moisture. Make sure to change their clothing frequently to keep your child’s skin dry. .
When swimming, wash off the saltwater from the ocean and chlorinated water from the pool. Make sure to use a moisturizer with ceramide and then sunblock afterwards.
Consider using an air purifier to get rid of pollen and environmental allergens, which is common during the warm weather.
Do you need vitamin D supplementation in the winter?
This is a hot topic and many research articles seem to show that vitamin D can help eczema. Click here to read how vitamin D can help eczema.
Where is the best place to live in the USA if with Eczema?
One of the best places to live if you have eczema is San Francisco, California. It has high humidity AND cool temperatures, which helps eczema. Along with that, many coastal cities in California are great for people with eczema including San Diego, Monterey, etc. (8) I noticed when I visit areas (usually beach towns) that have high humidity and cool temperatures, my child’s skin tends to get better.
Conclusion
In the winter, the dry climate can flare eczema. In the summer, sweat from hot temperatures can exacerbate eczema. There are many ways to combat this including wearing the right clothing, using the best moisturizer/sunscreen/etc. Humidity and cool temperatures plays a big part as well. I hope this article gives you more information about the best weather for eczema.