Is it normal for hot weather to make eczema flare up?

[RosiePosie]

I'm sorry if this seems like an obvious question, no one on either side of the family has had eczema before and we are struggling to understand the condition now that my 21 month old dd has it. Her eczema is usually fairly mild. In the winter it was virtually non existant. However this summer we have really struggled. If she spends any amount of time outside in the hot weather her skin flares up terribly. It seems the only solution is to keep her indoors whilst the weather is hot, which is so unfair to both her and her non-eczema suffering brother. I guess I just wanted to know if it's normal for hot weather to cause flare ups? It makes no difference whether we use suncream, or what brand we use, by the way - it is definately the heat rather than the use of suncream.

[tweenies]

It might not be the hot weather it could be the pollen count my GP has told me it might be hayfever that flares it up.

[connorsmum]

My ds's eczema flared up in the really hot weather we had a few weeks back. However, it could also be due to pollen as he does seem to have a touch of hayfever as well.

[milosmum]

my eczema is always worse in the hot weather and when im suffering a bad case of hayfever....it doesnt matter what i use in the summer either- its still bad.....

[Utka]

DD's is always always worse in hot weather. We have sadly had to adjust what we do. We don't holiday in hot countries in August, and tend to limit our time outside in the garden to first thin and last thing. Plenty of water to drink and keeping cool are key to managing things, so paddling pools are great, if in the shade. We tend to cover her up in loose clothing rather than use suncream (a big floppy hat helps). Yes we are restricting things, but the penalty for not doing so in our experience is a hot scratchy child.

Sorry if this is not what you needed to hear. I do sympathise!

[Chandra]

Same hear, DS eczema get worse when it's hot (be it for central heating or in the summer months). I think UTKA's suggestions are very good, I would only add to considere the idea of increasing the amount of times you apply cream per day until the wheather/pollen conditions get better

[Chandra]

hear???? here

[ark]

i find my excema worse in the heat - although conversely a bit of sunshine also makes it better in the long run! - I've even been advised to use sunbeds before!! Its a double edged sword in my mind! Where is the excema? All over or patches?

[happymerryberries]

Mine always got worse as a child in the heat. Oddly ds and dds both get better!

[Ericblack]

I wouldn't know as I live in Scotland!

[MrsDoolittle]

RosiePosie, I am in excatly the same position as you. I have no personal experience of eczema either , my dd is 16 months. It also seems to have got worse lately.
I saw the health visitor last week and we put it down to teething, but she has been outside this week and it has got miles worse. poor dd can't stop scratching it. I think it might be grass, but TBH I don't know either.

[vickitiredmum]

My DDs eczma has also got worse recently. Took her to docs with it on Tuesday
It was fine in the heat last year when we went out to Spain, but then again, she did develop chicken pox whilst we were out there so it could possibly have been masked by that! I think that because eczma is a dry skin thing, anything that dries skin out will inevitably make it worse - could it be the sun creams we use?

[MrsDoolittle]

I know there is an ingredient in some sun creams that irritate eczema, m.. something.
I try not to use suncream on dd and put her in the shade.

[ark]

I have always avoided lanolin in my suncreams - but don't just rely on a brand each time keep checking the bottles coz they frequently alter the ingredients.

[vickitiredmum]

thanks for the tip ark. i wonder actually whether it might be that - we usually keep her in the shade but at nursery they allow them to go outside in the sun but put suncream on them - their own version - i should probably check it!

[ark]

has she had any allergy testing at all? Might be worth pushing for that, or keeping a diary of food and cosmetics and the subsequent reaction - tedious I know but maybe worth it in the long term!

[calvemjoe]

My eczema and my ds's eczema always flare up in the heat, and if I over dress him in winter it flares up too. It is definatly the heat that flares our eczema up.

[RosiePosie]

Thanks for all your replies. Still totally clueless as to what exactly is causing it, but it is reassuring to know that it is "normal". I think it may be an allergy thing, as she is mildly intolerant to cows milk ( this makes it flare up too ) and has goats milk which she is fine with. I'm just keeping her in for most of the day when it's hot, but last Sunday we were at a BBQ and had no choice but to be outside all afternoon. She got very hot and was rolling around on the grass, which I think definately aggravated it, so maybe it is a pollen thing? Anyway, September is nearly here, so hopefully things should settle down again soon for the winter.

[mumtosomeone]

my ds's appears in summer. use loads of emmolients and also check you havent changed her diet..ice cream lollies soft fruits?