Wanna soak up the sun, but are afraid it’ll mess with your eczema? While sunny days can help some skin probs, too much sun exposure can make an eczema flare worse.
Eczemais a common skin condition that causesdryor inflamed patches of skin that are often superitchy— and sometimes painful. While we’re not exactly sure whyeczemahappens, we do know certain triggers can cause a flare-up — including environmental factors like the sun.
But how much sun is good for eczema, and when will sunlight cause you to cross the line from eczema relief into eczema woes? Here are the deets.
Does the sun make eczema worse?
Sunlight won’t directly cause eczema. But overexposure may trigger symptoms — or make an existing flare-up worse — if you have eczema.
Getting too much sun can causeinflammation, irritation, ordryness, which can have a negative effect on already itchy or sensitive skin.Sweatandheatcaused by fun in the sun can also make eczema itchier or more painful than usual.
On the flip side, some researchers have found thatnot getting enoughsunny rays may also affect eczema. While more research is still needed, a2015 research reviewsuggested that not getting enoughvitamin D, which sunlight naturally provides, is linked to developing eczema.
Whether you have eczema or not, too much sun can spell trouble for your skin. Too much sun exposure can lead tosunburn, early premature aging,hyperpigmentation, or even skin cancer.
Can the sun help eczema?
While too much sun can trigger a flare-up, getting juuuust enough sunshine may provide sweet relief foreczema-prone skin.
Sunlight can help boost your skin’s production ofvitamin D, a nutrient that’slinked toskin health.Researchshows thatvitamin Dplays a vital role in helping to regulate theimmune systemand improve the function of the skin barrier.
So, getting enoughvitamin Dthrough sun exposure may help keep your skin happy and healthy— and potentially itch-free. Just note that moderation is key, here. Spending time in thegreat outdoorswill give you a sweet infusion ofvitamin D, but don’t overdo the direct sun exposure.
Aneditor’s lettersuggested that sunlight can help reduce inflammation by triggering the release of nitric oxide, which may improve skin and sootheeczemasymptoms.
Phototherapy— aka ultraviolet (UV) light therapy — is also sometimes used totreateczema that doesn’t respond to topicals or other treatments. This treatment mimics the effects of the sun by providing concentrated exposure to skin-helping wavelengths of UV light. But phototherapy can come with some gnarly side effects like sunburn, premature skin aging, and nonmelanoma skin cancers.
Can sunscreen make eczema worse?
It can be tough to find products that won’t mess witheczema-prone skin.Sunscreensare no exception, and different formulas can affect different folks, well,differently.
Mineral-based sunscreensseem to be the most effective for folks with eczema, as they don’t contain as many harsh chemicals that can trigger a flare-up.
Forbest results, choose products that:
Be sure to apply yoursunscreenliberally, so that your skin is totally covered. And don’t rub it in too vigorously, to avoid irritating your skin more.
It can also take time to find the right product for your sun-protection needs, and you may have to slather on severalsunscreensbefore you find your match.
Not sure where to start?Check out ourfavorite sunscreens for sensitive skin!
What about sunburn on eczema?
There’s no way to sugarcoat it:Sunburn sucks. And if you’re dealing with eczema, sunburn can be an even bigger bummer by causing or worsening flare-ups.
Sunburns damage your skin and cause raw,redor discolored, painful skin that may swell and itch. This extra dose of inflammation can make dry, itchy, and irritated skin even worse, or trigger an eczema flare-up.
If you do get a sunburn, proceed with care! Use gentlemoisturizersto soothe irritation, steer clear of further sun exposure, and keepshowers or bathscool (not hot!). Talk with your doc if your condition doesn’t heal or the affected area becomes worse.
Eczema and sunlight protection tips
You don’t have to hide from the sun just because you have eczema. You can still enjoy plenty of fun in the sun!
To help protect yourself from theeczema-inducing effects of the sun, follow these tips:
It’s also helpful to check with your dermatologist about any medications or treatments you’re using that might make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Enjoying some fun in the sun can be great for your mood, but getting too much or too little sunlight can have a direct impact on your skin — especially if you have eczema.
The sun provides a skin-soothing dose of vitamin D that might help heal or reduce flare-ups. But too much sun exposure can lead to irritation, inflammation, and dryness that makes existing eczema flares worse or triggers a flare-up.
Using a mineral-based sunscreen, limiting your time in the sun, and wearing loose, breathable clothing can help protect your eczema-prone skin from the sun’s harsh effects.
