Sun and Eczema
Sun Eczema
One specific type of eczema, known as photosensitive eczema, is. Caused by sunlight exposure, but this type is rare. For most people, the sun itself does not cause eczema. However, environmental triggers including extensive sun exposure can bring on an eczema flare. Some people find eczema improves with exposure to sunlight while others experience a worsening of their condition.
Rarely eczema is directly caused by exposure to ultraviolet lights. The term for this is photosensitive eczema. While proper treatment, flare-ups may last one to three weeks notes Harvard Health Publishing. Chronic eczema such as atopic dermatitis can go into remission with the help of a good preventative treatment plan.
Sunlight and Eczema
Eczema is usually an umbrella term for a group of skin conditions that caused itchy, inflamed, rash-like skin patches. These skin symptoms come and go and periods of activity are known as flares. A variety of triggers is thought to bring on eczema flare. Just about any type of weather can have an impact on your eczema and sunny weather is no expectation.
Here is what you should know about the sun and how it can affect eczema. People with eczema are often concerned about protecting their skin from the sun and finding a sunscreen that does not irritate their eczema. Parents have a particular concern about protecting babies and children’s skin from the sun.
Everyone should protect their skin from the sun all year round. The sun’s rays can still penetrate in winter, but in the UK they are more harmful between March and October. Protect your skin too when you are enjoying winter sports such as skiing since the sun’s rays at high altitudes and reflection off snow can be very strong. Remember that the closer you are to the equator, the higher the UV radiation levels so it is easy to burn even when there is a cloudy cover.
Sunlight Eczema
Our relationship with sunlight can seem complex. On one hand, ultraviolet radiation is the biggest risk factor for skin aging and skin cancer. On the other hand, sunlight is necessary for vitamin D production and may benefit chronic skin conditions.
Sun Burn Eczema
When skin is exposed to the sun for too long, it becomes red and irritated. This is a sunburn. If the sun is severe enough that the skin will react against the sun’s UV radiation and become blisters and peel, turning into sun eczema. Sunlight contains different kinds of radiation. The ultraviolet radiation is divided into UVA radiation which makes the skin pigmentation darken, and UVB radiation, which means that the amount of pigment increases and the skin becomes thicker. Both types of Ultraviolet radiation can cause skin damage.
Sun Good For Eczema
In most cases, the sun is good for Eczema. Generally speaking, the sun is your friend if you have eczema. In summer many see their condition improve on its own. In some cases however the sun may be poorly tolerated and can cause you to sweat which then leads to itching or photosensitive or an allergy to the sun.
Beyond vitamin D, the lack of sunlight appears to have a negative effect on the body’s natural immune system and contributes to inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. A recent study showed that infants who received more exposure to UV light by 6 months of age had lower incidences of eczema.
