Eczema and Your Summer Skin: What You Need to Know

Summer brings longer days, outdoor fun, and unique challenges for those living with eczema. At Allure Dermatology, Theresa Durchhalter, FAAD, and our team help patients in Hicksville, NY, and Franklin Square, NY manage their skin health year-round. 

While many people associate dry, itchy skin with winter, summer heat can trigger severe flare-ups. In fact, the highest number of doctor visits for eczema (atopic dermatitis) occurs during May and June, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (2019). If you notice your skin reacting to the warmer weather, we’re here to help.

Why does summer weather trigger eczema flares?

Summer weather triggers eczema flares because a combination of high heat, sweat, and sudden humidity changes irritates your skin’s protective barrier. When you get hot, your body dilates blood vessels and produces sweat to cool down. However, sweat in people with eczema lacks a key protective protein called dermcidin, which normally fights off bad bacteria. 

Instead of protecting you, sweat deposits salt and lactic acid on your skin, causing intense pruritus (the medical term for itching). This irritation leads to scratching, which damages your skin barrier. Additionally, moving from hot outdoor air to dry, air-conditioned indoor spaces causes rapid humidity shifts that dry out your skin.

How can you protect your eczema and your summer skin?

You can protect your eczema and your summer skin by practicing smart sun protection, rinsing off sweat immediately, and using the “soak and seal” moisturizing method. When you go outside, choose a physical mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide rather than a chemical sunscreen, which can cause allergic reactions.

After swimming or sweating, rinse off in a lukewarm shower right away to remove chlorine, salt, and sweat. Within three minutes of stepping out, apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer to lock in hydration. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, we offer advanced medical treatments like XTRAC Therapy to target stubborn patches and calm inflammation.

Are bleach baths better than plain water baths for summer flares?

No, bleach baths are not clinically superior to plain water baths for reducing eczema severity or clearing bacteria from the skin. While some believe that diluted bleach baths are necessary to sterilize the skin, clinical data show they perform about the same as regular water. 

A comprehensive analysis published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (2022) found that while bleach baths improve eczema severity by about 22%, they do not reduce bacterial levels or overall symptoms any better than a standard plain water bath. The real benefit comes from soaking in water to hydrate the skin, then immediately applying a thick moisturizer. If you find bleach baths irritating, you can safely stick to plain, lukewarm water soaks. 

Don’t let skin irritation ruin your summer plans. Our team of board-certified dermatologists and experienced physician assistants is ready to help you find relief. To get your skin back on track, schedule a consultation with our team at Allure Dermatology today.