Eczema and Sunlight: Benefits, Drawbacks, Precautions, and Recommendations
People with eczema can still enjoy the sun, but it's essential to take some extra precautions to ensure their skin remains protected. The National Eczema Association (NEA) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) offer some valuable tips for managing eczema in the sun.
Firstly, when applying sunscreen, it's crucial to wait at least 30 minutes after applying an emollient before applying sunscreen. This allows the emollient to fully absorb and create a protective barrier on the skin.
The NEA recommends rinsing off chlorinated or salt water after each swim and applying moisturizer followed by sunscreen, rinsing skin after sweating and changing clothes, staying hydrated by drinking 8 cups of water each day, wearing loose-fitting natural fabrics, such as cotton, and taking antihistamines to manage seasonal and environmental allergies.
The AAD suggests wearing lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants, sunglasses with UV protection, wide-brimmed hats, and full shoes to protect the skin from UV rays. Swimming can be a suitable exercise for people with eczema, but chlorine may cause irritation, and saltwater can improve symptoms for some and worsen them in others.
Sun exposure can affect eczema management differently among individuals because it has both beneficial and harmful effects. Moderate sun exposure often improves eczema symptoms due to ultraviolet (UV) rays' anti-inflammatory effects, which is why UV therapy is sometimes used as a treatment. However, excessive sun exposure may trigger flare-ups, worsen irritation, or cause sunburn, especially in sensitive skin.
Key factors influencing these differences include skin sensitivity and type, sun intensity and duration, sunscreen use, environmental conditions, water exposure differences, and personal sun protection strategies.
To manage eczema effectively under sun exposure, it's essential to choose sunscreens formulated for sensitive or eczema-prone skin, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during its peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and use cooling strategies, breathable clothing, and soothing topical products to manage skin temperature and moisture.
In summary, individuals with eczema can still enjoy the sun by taking extra steps to apply moisturizers, keeping the skin clean and dry, and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. By following these tips, people with eczema can safely enjoy the sun while managing their condition effectively.
- People with eczema can benefit from the sun's anti-inflammatory effects, but they should use sunscreens formulated for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
- When using sunscreen, it's important to wait for at least 30 minutes after applying an emollient to allow the emollient to fully absorb.
- The National Eczema Association advises rinsing off chlorinated or salt water after each swim, applying moisturizer followed by sunscreen, and staying hydrated by drinking 8 cups of water per day.
- The American Academy of Dermatology suggests wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and full shoes when exposed to the sun.
- excessive sun exposure may trigger flare-ups, worsen irritation, or cause sunburn, especially in sensitive skin.
- To manage eczema effectively under sun exposure, one should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during its peak hours and use cooling strategies, breathable clothing, and soothing topical products to manage skin temperature and moisture.
