10 Ways to Tackle Eczema in the Summertime

We asked Doctors Jeffrey Bienstock and Steven Q. Wang to share their advice for managing atopic dermatitis and allergies when the weather heats up.

1. Wear wide-brimmed hats and loose, breathable fabrics in light colors to reflect the sun.
2. If you work up a sweat, rinse off with fresh water and change clothes so the skin stays clean, cool, and dry.
3. Use antihistamines to combat seasonal and environmental allergies.
4. Keep an air purifier in your home to stave off dust, dander, and other allergens.
5. Consider using a humidifier if the air-conditioner dries out the air too much.
6. Rinse off saltwater and chlorinated water, then reapply moisturizer and sunblock.
7. Drink sufficient amounts of water. The secret to good health is staying hydrated from within.
8. 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.
9. Be picky about the ingredients found in your moisturizer, sunblock, and insect repellant. Some might contain harsh chemicals that could aggravate your skin.
10. 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