Eczema and sun cream


Like everyone else, people who have eczema should protect their skin from the sun’s rays during the warmer months. However some people with eczema find sun cream makes their symptoms worse. If you’re affected, ask your pharmacist to


recommend a low-allergen, non-perfumed sun cream designed for people with sensitive skin, and test it first by applying it to a small area. Apply it 30 minutes after you’ve used your other skincare products (emollients or other moisturisers, for instance). Also try to remember to keep reapplying your sunscreen at regular intervals whenever you’re exposed to the summer sun, especially after swimming. Use a sun cream has a sun protection factor


(SPF) of at least 15 to protect against UVB, and at least four-star UVA protection. Also ask your pharmacist about sun cream products that protect against infrared A (IR-A) rays, which can also damage your skin (see page 20 for more details). Other things you can do to keep your skin


safe include:


• Spending time in the shade (particularly during the hours of 11am - 3pm).


• Covering your skin with clothes as much as possible, and wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, neck and ears.


• Drinking plenty of water to stop your skin from becoming dehydrated.


How to manage dry skin The best way to counteract dry skin is to keep your skin as moisturised as possible, even during the summer when your skin may feel more normal. There are lots of summer-related factors that can have a drying effect on your skin, including air conditioning (especially when you’re flying), chlorine and salt water. Choose a moisturiser formulated for dry skin,


However if you normally have dry skin in the winter, there’s a good chance it will feel less dry during the summer.


Eczema Skin affected by eczema can become itchy, dry, hot, sore and red, with severe eczema also causing broken, raw and bleeding skin that can be prone to infection. Any part of your skin can be affected, but eczema is most common on the hands, the insides of the elbows or backs of the knees, and the face and scalp in children. There are several types of eczema, the most common of which is


atopic eczema. This is usually an inherited disorder triggered by substances in the environment that don’t affect people without eczema, such as chemicals in ordinary household products and cosmetics. Atopic eczema is also closely associated with asthma and hayfever. If you have dry, itchy, red skin all year round it could be a sign of


eczema. With eczema you may also experience times when your symptoms improve, followed by periods when they get worse – these are called flare-ups. According to the NHS, flare-ups may occur as often as two or three times a month. The good news is your local Careway pharmacist can recommend


ways to help you manage your skin – whether it’s dry or prone to eczema – so you can enjoy your summer.


and apply several times a day to help maintain your skin’s hydration levels. Depending on how dry your skin is, you may be able to switch to a lighter skincare product during the summer months – but if your usual moisturiser is leaving your skin feeling dryer than usual you could start using a richer formulation. To find the best moisturiser and other skincare


products for your skin type, speak to your local Careway pharmacist. Meanwhile there are other things you can do


that may help give dry skin a summer glow, including the following:


• Take a quick warm shower instead of having a long hot bath.


• Avoid products that contain ingredients such as perfumes and colourants.


• Avoid using all types of soaps – ask your pharmacist about gentler soap substitutes.


• Wear clothes made of natural fibres (cotton and silk, for instance, are ideal, plus they can help you stay cool during the summer months).


• Use a non-bio washing machine powder or liquid that’s free from perfumes.


> All About health 9


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