For most people, summer is all about spending time under the sun—and enjoying it. But for those living with eczema, summer means itchy skin. Heat tends to make their skin prickly, making them want to scratch it badly. Sweat does not help with their situation either, as it triggers eczema to flare up even more.
Seeking help from specialists in a dermatology center in Salem is an excellent choice, but there are also some ways you can lessen the eczema itch on your own.
Drink a Lot of Water
Make sure that you keep yourself hydrated all the time. Drinking lots of water will help prevent your body’s core temperature from climbing; thus, preventing the temperature of your skin from becoming warm. Another way is to use ice blocks to improve your fluid intake while cooling down the temperature of your body.
Wear Breathable Clothing
It is best to plan what you will wear every summer. For one, you should consider wearing wide-brimmed hats and breathable fabrics to let the heat escape from your skin. Clothes made from synthetic fabric will only trap the heat inside and increase your skin’s temperature level. It can lead to several problems, including making the itchiness and flare even worse.
Eat Liquid-Rich Foods
The food that you consume also plays a huge role in keeping your core temperature lower. You need to eat foods that have high water content to keep your body hydrated. Some foods that are rich in liquids are apples, carrots, celery, cucumber, lettuce and watermelon. Choosing to eat them can help keep your skin cool especially during summer.
Get Some Cold Compress
Another great tip to lower down your skin’s temperature is to apply cold compress directly to it. You can also put a dampened singlet on your skin to immediately take the heat out. Moreover, it will edge off the itching especially after a long day outside. Leave it for a few minutes until you can feel its temperature warming up. Repeat the process until your skin cools down. Once you are finished, moisturize your skin to keep it hydrated.
Sleep When It Is Cool
It can be hot at night, especially during summer. So, use cotton sheets and wear cotton sleepwear each time you go to bed. Heat tends to make your skin itchy, which can be a problem especially when you are trying to sleep. If you have a room in the house that is cooler than the rest, then turn this into a makeshift bedroom until summer comes to pass. Doing so will help you get good sleep every night even though it is summer.
Living with eczema is a challenge. But you can make things work if you only know what to do. If you feel like it is getting out of hand, then it is best to go to a dermatologist to have it checked. Summer will only last for a few months, so try your best to stay hydrated for the meantime.
