Seven Ways to Support Eczema-Prone Skin in the Summer Heat

If the summer heat triggers your little one’s eczema, you’ll know just how challenging the warmer seasons can be. Heat can be a common trigger for eczema flare-ups, but the good news is that there are ways we can support our little one's skin during the hotter months to help them feel more comfortable and, hopefully, minimise those itchy episodes.

Why does hot weather trigger eczema?

There are a few different ways that hot weather can trigger eczema-prone skin:

1. Hot weather makes us sweat, which takes moisture out of the skin and carries bacteria and potential irritants to the surface. This can aggravate and inflame eczema-prone skin. Read more about how sweat can trigger eczema here.
2. Heat causes more rapid water loss, which can dry out the skin. This dryness can break down the skin barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to damage from irritants and bacteria.
3. Heat can cause the skin to feel itchy, which results in scratching. This can perpetuate the eczema itch-scratch cycle.

Seven Ways to Support Eczema-Prone Skin During Summer

1. Staying hydrated

We all know how important it is to stay on top of hydration, especially during the warmer months – but did you know that hydration can help their skin, too? Keeping your little one hydrated can help lower their core body temperature, so they can feel more comfortable. Becoming more aware of hydrating foods and incorporating these in your child’s diet when suitable can also help boost hydration.

2. Refrigerating your moisturiser

Staying consistent with your regular skincare routine to nourish and strengthen the skin’s barrier is important through summer. As an extra cooling treat, you can try storing your eczema moisturiser in the fridge so it feels cool and refreshing when applied to the skin.

3. Use a cool compress on the skin

Heat can make eczema skin feel itchy, and using a cool compress can help take away the heat from surface of the skin, reducing the need to scratch and stopping the itch-scratch cycle.

4. Wear loose, cotton clothing

Dressing little ones in loose, breathable cotton clothing can help them feel less hot and sweaty, resulting in less itchiness and irritation. The same goes for sleepwear – cotton pyjamas and sheets allow their skin to breathe and stay cooler.

5. Patch test sunscreens and find one that’s suitable for your little one’s skin

Finding a suitable sunscreen when your child has eczema is often a case of trial and error. Natural mineral sunscreens often cause less irritation for eczema-prone skin than chemical sunscreens, so it may be worth making the switch. Our Natural Sunscreen SPF50 is a gentle physical sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Be sure to patch test your sunscreen on a small area before full use to check for any allergies or reactions, and be aware of its ingredients.

6. Cool baths with Itchy Baby Co. Natural Oatmeal Bath Soak

Cool baths can bring soothing relief to the skin on hot days without raising the body’s core temperature. Adding some Itchy Baby Co. Natural Oatmeal Bath Soak to the bath can help gently cleanse the skin of sweat and irritants while adding moisture and nourishment. Our bath soak is made of 100% natural colloidal oatmeal and can also be used to help symptoms of mild eczema during a flare-up.

7. Moisturise before and after swimming

Swimming in pools or at the beach can trigger eczema in some people, and for some others, it can actually help their skin. If your little one is prone to irritation from swimming, you can try applying moisturiser an hour or so before they hop in the water to help create a protective barrier. However, just keep in mind that this might make them feel more slippery in the water! It’s best to wash your little one’s skin off immediately after swimming, using a gentle cleanser if possible. Once they have showered, reapply their moisturiser right away when their skin is towel-dried but still damp to lock in moisture.

We hope these tips help get you through the heat of summer while finding more comfort for your little one’s dry, itchy or sensitive skin!

This blog post was brought to you and your family with love from the Itchy Baby Co. team x.

Disclaimer: Information provided is of a general nature only, and you should always consult your medical professional.