When you think of summer, you probably imagine sunshine, swimming pools, vacations, and generally enjoying more time outdoors with loved ones. For those with chronic skin conditions, summer may also call to mind itching, irritation, and inflammation. According to Dr. Sam Awan of U.S. Dermatology Partners McKinney, “For patients with chronic skin conditions, summer can present a big challenge when managing symptoms and keeping skin healthy during the warmer, humid, sunnier days. Sweating, UV exposure, bug bites, and a variety of other factors make summer skin flareups extremely common for patients with conditions like eczema, rosacea, melasma, and autoimmune conditions like lupus. However, with the right preventive steps and treatment, there are ways to minimize symptoms during the summer months.” In this blog, Dr. Awan takes a closer look at why skin conditions tend to flare up during the summer, provides prevention tips, and encourages patients to visit their dermatologist for support in managing their chronic skin conditions year-round.
Why Do Skin Conditions Flare Up in the Summer?
People often think the only summer skin issue is increased skin flareups from sun exposure. Sunburns do trigger inflammation and other concerns related to chronic skin conditions, but they aren’t the only summertime trigger. Other environmental factors that increase irritation and trigger flareups in chronic skin conditions include:
- Higher temperatures.
- Excessive sweating.
- Higher levels of UVB exposure.
- Environmental allergens (poison ivy, bug bites, pollen, etc.).
- Chemicals in pools.
- Friction from clothing sticking to the body with sweat or water from swimming.
Common Skin Conditions That Flare During Summer
There are several common skin conditions that are prone to summertime flareups, including:
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – this common skin condition causes dry, itchy, patches of skin. Eczema symptoms are frequently triggered or worsened by heat, sweat, and barrier damage that occur during summer months. While some patients worsen in the winter due to the drier climate, many patients worsen in the summer with sweat and heat.
- Psoriasis – characterized by thick, scaly patches of skin called plaques, psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that predominantly impacts skin. While moderate sun may help with psoriasis, sunburns can lead to painful and severe psoriasis flare ups.
- Rosacea – most commonly causes facial flushing or redness, commonly and noticeably on the cheeks. Additional symptoms of rosacea flareups include a burning sensation, pimples, or visible blood vessels below skin. Heat and sun exposure are very common rosacea triggers.
- Melasma – this is a darkening (pigmentation) of the skin, typically on the face. It is exacerbated by heat and sun, and most patients worsen during the summer months without appropriate sun protection.
- Lupus and Similar Autoimmune Conditions – these are triggered by different wavelengths of light. For these patients, consistent sun protection is a key component of a well-rounded treatment regimen.
Can Sun Exposure Help Skin Conditions? Understanding Phototherapy and UV Treatment
Yes – but the risks have to be carefully weighed against the benefits. For those with sun-sensitive skin conditions, controlled UV radiation exposure may be used to provide symptom relief through a process called phototherapy. While certain skin conditions may improve with natural sunlight, regular sun exposure is also the most significant modifiable risk factors for development of skin cancer. For that reason, using in office narrowband UVB phototherapy is preferred over simply exposing oneself to the sun.
How to Treat Skin Flareups During Summer
When asked how to treat skin flareups, Dr. Awan says, “Every patient’s skin is different, so treatment should be tailored to their specific condition and triggers. The best way to manage summer flareups is to focus on prevention. Keeping the skin barrier healthy, avoiding known triggers, and addressing symptoms early can help reduce the frequency and severity of flareups.” Below, are some basic recommendations to keep skin healthy and minimize risk for flareups:
- Consistent daily skincare – choose gentle, fragrance-free products and use them consistently. Use a simple cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning with cleanser and moisturizer in the evening to keep skin healthy. Avoid harsh ingredients and over-exfoliating, which triggers inflammation and irritation.
- Moisturize – apply moisturizer daily. It’s especially important to moisturize after swimming or bathing.
- Choose the right products – look for skincare products formulated for sensitive skin. You may also want to take a look at your household cleaners, laundry detergent, and cosmetics as certain ingredients can also worsen or trigger chronic skin condition flareups.
- Protect skin’s barrier – look for moisturizers and hydration products that are formulated to repair and maintain the skin barrier. This protective outer layer of skin is often damaged by sun exposure, allergen responses, and flareups in chronic conditions. This damage makes skin more reactive, which can lengthen healing time.
Sun Protection Strategies for Sensitive Skin
Dr. Awan says, “When skin is already irritated or sensitive, many patients hesitate to add another product to their skincare routine and may even skip sunscreen altogether. However, protecting your skin from UV damage is an important part of managing chronic skin conditions. The key is choosing a sunscreen that’s formulated for sensitive skin and using it consistently. Daily sun protection helps minimize additional inflammation, supports the skin barrier, and reduces the risk of sunburn, which can trigger flareups in some patients.” To protect skin from the sun all summer long, Dr. Awan recommends:
- Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen formulated for your skin type (when in doubt get a recommendation from your dermatologist). According to Dr. Awan, “The key is to make sure you’re applying enough. Most people under-apply. To get the true SPF protection on the bottle, aim for two finger lengths worth of sunscreen to cover the face and neck.”
- For pigmented skin conditions like melasma, Dr. Awan always recommends tinted sunscreens. “Tinted sunscreens contain iron oxides which protect against visible light, not just UV – and visible light is an important driver of melasma.”
- Wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses to further prevent sun damage.
- Minimize time outdoors between 10 am and 4 pm when UV radiation is at the highest intensity.
- Reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day to maintain protection.
When to See a Dermatologist
Whether you’re looking for rosacea, eczema, melasma, or cutaneous lupus or you’re concerned about new or worsening skin symptoms, it’s time to talk to a dermatologist. Some other reasons to reach out to a dermatologist to manage skin conditions and summertime symptom flareups include:
- Symptoms don’t improve with consistent use of over-the-counter products.
- Itching, redness, and discomfort are severe or impede sleep or daily activities.
- Signs of infection occur like fever, skin feeling warm to the touch, inflammation, or oozing.
When you visit a dermatologist, they can help you create a long-term management plan that may include a combination of prescription-strength topical anti-inflammatories and other medications, dermatologic treatments like laser therapies, and personalized treatment strategies.
Maintain Healthy Skin All Summer
In conclusion, Dr. Awan says, “Avoiding eczema, rosacea, and melasma can present a real challenge in everyday life. Work with your dermatologist to develop a preventive skincare routine and address symptom flareups right away. If you’re already experiencing a flareup, get in touch with your dermatologist so they can help you alleviate symptoms and feel better faster.”
Schedule a Dermatology Consultation
If you have a chronic skin condition or you’re noticing recurring symptoms during the warm summer months, it’s time to talk to your dermatologist. If you’re interested in working with one of the board-certified dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners, simply take a few moments to complete our online scheduling request. We look forward to hearing from you.
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