Articles
By National Eczema Association
Published On: Jul 6, 2017
Last Updated On: Jul 15, 2021
We asked Doctors Jeffrey Bienstock and Steven Q. Wang to share their advice for managing atopic dermatitis and allergies when the weather heats up.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats and loose, breathable fabrics in light colors to reflect the sun.
- If you work up a sweat, rinse off with fresh water and change clothes so the skin stays clean, cool, and dry.
- Use antihistamines to combat seasonal and environmental allergies.
- Keep an air purifier in your home to stave off dust, dander, and other allergens.
- Consider using a humidifier if the air-conditioner dries out the air too much.
- Rinse off saltwater and chlorinated water, then reapply moisturizer and sunblock.
- Drink sufficient amounts of water. The secret to good health is staying hydrated from within.
- Invest in hypoallergenic sunblock. When you’re sunburned and the skin barrier is damaged and starts peeling, it could make your eczema worse down the road.
- Be picky about the ingredients found in your moisturizer, sunblock, and insect repellant. Some might contain harsh chemicals that could aggravate your skin.
- Since stress is a leading trigger of eczema, treat yourself to a relaxing vacation.
Read: Earning Your Place in the Sun: How to beat the heat and avoid summertime eczema flare-ups.
Jeffrey Bienstock, M.D., FAAP is managing partner at Pediatricare Associates in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Steven Q. Wang, M.D. is director of Dermatologic Surgery and Dermatology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Basking Ridge, NJ