Well, you got through the winter with your eczema only to have a flareup now! AACK! Do you know what’s causing your summertime eczema flareup?
There’s actually a number of reasons why your eczema flares up in the summertime all while we’re looking forward to those warm sunny days!
What’s Causing My Eczema to Flare Up?
Well, you probably know all the usual suspects but according to healthcentral.com maybe you didn’t know about these:
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and Methylisothiazolinone (MI) commonly found in skin care and baby products. They’re preservatives to keep the OTC products safe for at least 3 – 5 years. Extra points if you can pronounce them.
- Propylene Glycol Recently named the 2018 Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society, Propylene glycol is found in many skin-care products, cosmetics, medications, food, and, ironically, certain topical eczema treatments! So if your skin is not responding to the eczema cream you got at the drug store, this may be the culprit.
- Fragrance (the toxic synthetic kind) The National Eczema Association (NEA) reports that 8% to 15% of eczema patients have a fragrance allergy. And with fragrance accounting for up to 40 percent of allergic reactions from cosmetics, the NEA no longer considers products with scent for its Seal of Acceptance Program. Finding cleansers and moisturizers without scent is difficult at best. Even those labeled “unscented” or “fragrance-free” sometimes still contain a “masking” fragrance. (Are you convinced to use organic products yet?)
- Sweat The warm temperatures make you sweat. And sweat – especially in the crook of your elbow, behind your knees and at your waistband – can cause an eczema flareup. When the humidity is high (oh hi North Carolina) and you sweat, there’s really no way for it to evaporate. All the chemicals in and on your body just sit on your skin and cause irritation.
- Chlorine Swimming in pools can irritate your skin. If you like to swim, as soon as you get out of the pool, make sure to rinse off with fresh water as quickly as possible.
- Travel Really? Boy, that takes all the fun out of travel! But the climatic change when traveling can trigger a flareup. The air on planes is notorious for more reasons than one, but flying and different time zones impact your stress level which may trigger a flareup. Add in acclimating to a different area, your skin may get irritated.
- Synthetic Fabrics Who knows what synthetic fabrics are made of? Yes, I know we all wear stretchy, breathable fabrics in the summer, but natural fabric such cotton has less of a chance of irritating your skin.
We won’t even go into stress because I’m sure your dermatologist has talked endlessly about that until your eyes glaze over. The quickest way to help yourself control stress is to take big deep belly breaths. And of course, aromatherapy is excellent for easing your stress.
What Helps A Flareup? 
There’s a few things you can do to ease an eczema flareup. And yes – aromatherapy is excellent for eczema (and psoriasis, too)!
- Stay away from any synthetic chemical. All that stuff at the drug store that’s supposed to help your eczema (and psoriasis, too) actually is full of chemicals that causes more inflammation. If you think this is an advertisement for PsoMaxx Salve for Psoriasis and Eczema, you’re absolutely right.
- Go to the ocean. Seriously. (And when you go, take me with you!) The salt water along with sunshine is very good for skin flareups. But, as with chlorinated pools, don’t let the salt sit on your skin. Rinse off with fresh water as fast as you can.
- Be prepared especially when travelling and do your best to stay calm – Anxiety Ease Aromatherapy Rollerball is perfect for this.
- Move your body. This is where yoga will really help you. It’s gentle enough so that you won’t sweat but moves your body to feel better.
- Stay hydrated with fresh water. Soda, coffee and alcohol don’t count!
- Hydrate your skin. I have Nakedly Natural Body Lotion specifically for those who live with eczema and psoriasis. Your skin with thank you for doing this!
Aromatherapy For Eczema (and Psoriasis, too!)
Each time I see a commercial on television about the amazing benefits of synthetic drugs for eczema and psoriasis, I cringe. This stuff is damaging your liver and do you really want all those nasty side effects?
Honestly?
What’s stopping you from going natural? You do know that nothing will heal you except YOU – right? I simply have a tool that allows you to live more gracefully with eczema and other skin conditions.
Until you know what your triggers are and avoid them, you’ll go through a vicious cycle. Why do that when you have options that make a difference?
Want more information? Fill out this contact form and let’s talk today.
Blessings,
Melissa
P.S. You know someone with a skin condition – how about sharing this post with them?
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.