In an article published in Everyday Health, experts revealed how patients with eczema can exercise while avoiding irritation and flare-ups with six tips. Exercise can lead to perspiration that deposits sodium and chloride on the skin, rapid temperature changes, abrasion from tight-fitting clothing and intense workouts, as well as exposure to air pollutants when being active outdoors—but taking steps to avoid factors that cause skin aggravation may improve exercise for patients with eczema. They recommended that individuals (1) drink a sufficient amount of water to prevent dry skin and dehydration; (2) work out in a cool environment with air conditioning or ventilation if indoors, or shade and a mineral-based sunscreen if outdoors in order to minimize sweating; (3) wear looser clothing with breathable fabric, clothing made from 100% cotton rather than synthetic fabric, outfits without seams or tags, and clothing washed with fragrance-free detergent to prevent the sweat trapping and rubbing common with tight clothing and the irritating chemicals found in regular detergents; (4) practice low-intensity activities such as yoga and Pilates to reduce chafing as well as aerobic exercises that improve cardiovascular function and alter the immune system to potentially ease eczema symptoms; (5) wet the scalp and apply petroleum jelly to the affected areas before swimming in a chlorinated pool, and shower and moisturize immediately afterward to avoid skin dryness; and (6) develop an after-exercise routine of immediate clothing changes, short and cool or warm showers, and skin moisturization. In conclusion, experts emphasized that the prospect of aggravating eczema should not deter individuals from being active, and that following these six tips may prevent eczema flare-ups from disrupting a healthy exercise routine.
May 25, 2023