For some people with eczema, sun exposure can help improve symptoms like dryness, itching, and rash. But for others, the sun–and its accompanying heat–are triggers for eczema symptoms to flare-up. If this sounds familiar, the summertime is probably not your favorite time of year. But you can still enjoy the season if you approach eczema and sun with the right preparation.
Before you head outside, consider how long you’ll be out there and how you can protect your skin. Check out these easy-to-remember eczema tips for sun and fun that can help you protect your skin without sacrificing a good time.
- Avoid the sun during peak hours. The sun’s UV rays are at their strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and they’re stronger during the spring and summer. Try to plan your trips to the pool or the beach before or after these peak hours.
- Check the UV Index. The US National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created this index to help you gauge how intense the sun’s UV light is in your area on any given day. The lower the number, the better for your skin. If it’s high, be extra vigilant.
- Monitor the temperature. Many people with eczema are sensitive to heat. When the mercury rises, their eczema flares. If the weather report is forecasting a scorcher, you might want to plan your outdoor activities for first thing in the morning or perhaps in the early evening, when the sun and the temperature are lower. Avoiding the hottest temps may help you regulate your body temperature better and avoid flare-ups.
- Seek the shade. Going to the pool? Grab a spot under an umbrella or awning. Staying out of the direct sunlight as much as possible can help you ward off some of the potential damage. Plus, it’ll keep you cooler.
- Dress appropriately. The more you can protect your body from the harsh rays of the sun, the better. A shirt, a broad-brimmed hat, and sunglasses should be part of your outdoor uniform. Darker, tightly-woven fabrics provide more protection than lighter-colored clothing. Even better: wear clothing with a UV protection factor (UPF). You can even buy long-sleeved UPF swim shirts that will protect your skin and dry quickly.
- Choose the right sunscreen. At this point, you know how important sunscreen is. But you do want to choose the right product for your skin. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that is designed for sensitive skin. You want to avoid harsh chemicals that might further irritate your skin and make your eczema worse. Mineral-based sunscreens are less irritating and more protective. Apply thoroughly to all exposed areas of skin about a half-hour before you plan to go outside. And reapply frequently, especially after going into the water.
Your dermatologist may have a few other suggestions for you, based on your medical history and your tendency toward flare-ups.
One treatment that’s sometimes used for certain people with eczema is phototherapy, which is controlled exposure to ultraviolet light. It’s used to reduce skin inflammation.
So you may be wondering: why do I need to be careful about sun exposure if one commonly recommended treatment for eczema is phototherapy? That’s a good question. Your doctor might recommend exposure to ultraviolet light for short periods of time to reduce symptoms of eczema like redness and itchiness.
Phototherapy is typically offered in a very controlled setting. You may only be exposed to light for a few minutes–and it might only be a few parts of your body that need the light exposure. Your doctor will typically make you wear goggles to protect your eyes, and you might be instructed to wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater on the parts of your skin not receiving the therapy. Plus, you’re still at risk for the same side effects offered by a regular old sunbathing session, such as premature aging of the skin, sunburn, and increased risk of certain kinds of skin cancer. It’s just that you’re choosing a benefit that outweighs the risks.
Additionally, you may not be a good candidate for phototherapy if you have other conditions that might be aggravated by sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light, or take medications like tetracycline that make you more sensitive to the light.
Ultimately, people with eczema just need to be cautious about their time in the sun. But that’s true for many people, including people with sensitivities to sunlight or who may be at increased risk for developing skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about your specific circumstances if you have any concerns. And in the meantime, use good judgment when you know you’ll be spending time outside during the day. You wouldn’t want to get a sunburn that might make your already sensitive skin even more irritated.