How to Keep Flares Away While Soaking Up the Sun
This Summertime Eczema Guide is your go-to resource for preventing flares and protecting sensitive skin while still enjoying everything summer has to offer. Summer is here—cue the pool bags, wet towels, and Popsicle-stained smiles. But for families dealing with eczema, this fun season can also feel like one long trigger. If your child’s skin flares faster than you can say “water balloon fight,” you’re not alone—and you’re not doomed either. This Summertime Eczema Guide will walk you through the sunscreen, the bug spray, the food, the heat, and the chaos, and help you stay ahead of summer flares.
Listen Below For The Entire Episode on The Eczema Kids Podcast
The Summer Shift and What It Means for Eczema
One second you’re in a homeschool or school-year groove—and the next you’re neck-deep in chlorine, party snacks, and sunburned toddlers. Whether it’s the heat, lack of structure, or junky food at BBQs, summer comes with its own set of eczema triggers. Think of it like fire season: the conditions are ripe, and the smallest spark (a cupcake, a pool party, a late bedtime) can set off a full-body flare.
Good news? You can enjoy all the summer fun without your kid’s skin melting down. You just need a proactive plan.
“You don’t have to choose between healthy skin and a happy summer—eczema can be managed with intention, not perfection.” -Andra McHugh
Why Summer Triggers Eczema Flares
Eczema is a heat-related condition. Here’s what makes summer tricky:
- Sweat: It’s salty, acidic, and stings broken skin.
- Heat: Both internal and external heat exacerbates inflammation.
- Chlorine & Sunscreen: Chlorine is like lemon juice on paper cuts. Chemical sunscreens? Even worse.
- Food Free-For-All: Cupcakes, chips, sugar, and seed oils everywhere.
- Zero Routine: Later bedtimes, no schedule, and overstimulated nervous systems.
When you combine those ingredients, summer becomes a perfect eczema storm.
Step One: Choose Skin-Safe Sunscreen (and Bug Spray!)
If your child is prone to eczema, what you put on their skin matters.
What to Avoid:
- Chemical sunscreens
- Fragrance
- Preservatives
- Parabens
- Endocrine-disrupting ingredients
What to Look For:
- Non-nano zinc oxide
- Fragrance-free
- Preservative-free
- Eczema-safe oils like red raspberry seed oil
Pro tip: Layer Eczema Kids Soothing Skin Cream or Herbal Oil under your mineral sunscreen for added protection and moisture.
Bug Spray Tips:
Try the Comfort Spray from the Eczema Shop for a gentle, multi-purpose option.
Skip the DEET (hard no).
Use essential oils like citronella and eucalyptus (spray on clothes, not skin).
Step Two: Master the Chlorine & Sweat Game
Sweat:
- Dress in 100% cotton only (avoid synthetics that trap heat).
- Change clothes immediately if they’re damp.
Chlorine:
- Rinse off immediately after every pool session.
- Apply Soothing Skin Cream post-rinse to re-moisturize.
- If skin is broken or raw, it might be a pool-free day.
Side note: Some kids actually do okay with chlorine (it acts like a mini bleach bath). But only if their skin isn’t broken.
Step Three: Eat to Heal (Even on the Go)
Summer food can sneakily wreck your healing progress. Everywhere you go, someone’s offering your kid a red dye–filled cupcake or a bag of Doritos. But you can make it easier by planning healing food ahead.
Packable Meal Ideas:
- Grass-fed burger patties
- Homemade hummus with soft veggie sticks (zucchini, peeled cucumber)
- Jackson’s Honest sweet potato chips (in moderation)
- Fresh summer fruits: pears, apples, nectarines, plums
- Low-histamine smoothies
Don’t forget water:
Pro Tip: A wine tote bag works great to carry everyone’s water bottles upright.
Ditch the juice boxes. Water hydrates and helps detox.
Step Four: Protect the Evening Routine
This is the least glamorous part—but it’s also your biggest leverage point.
Late nights are inevitable, but a solid bedtime routine is non-negotiable if you want your kid’s body to heal overnight.
Wind-Down Checklist:
- Apply eczema-safe lotion
- Brush teeth with an approved toothpaste
- Slip into cotton pajamas
- Saltwater spray on feet
- Read a book or sing a song (even just a short one!)
Even if bedtime is late, still do the routine. This supports your child’s nervous system, resets their circadian rhythm, and gives their body a chance to detox and repair while they sleep.
What About Travel and Camping?
You don’t have to skip the fun stuff. But you do need to bring your toolkit.
Your Eczema-Friendly Travel Kit:
- Soothing Skin Cream
- Comfort Spray (for bug repellent, skin soothing, and more)
- Mineral sunscreen
- Pre-packed protein-rich meals
- Refillable water bottles
- Cotton PJs and day clothes
- Low-histamine snacks
Pro tip: Store skincare in a small cooler if it’ll be in the sun.
Stay Grounded When the Routine Blows Up
Summer is chaotic. That’s just reality. The key is to have anchors—the few things you keep consistent no matter what:
- Food choices (pack your own when needed)
- Skincare basics (cleanse, protect, moisturize)
- Wind-down ritual (even if it’s shorter than usual)
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be intentional. Eczema doesn’t need perfection—it needs consistency.
Summertime Eczema Prep, It’s Not Too Late!
It’s easy to feel behind when a flare starts. But here’s the truth: it’s not too late to turn things around.
This summer can be the turning point. You can reverse eczema in a season if you:
- Remove inflammatory triggers
- Strengthen the skin barrier
- Support digestion and detox
- Stay consistent with your protocol
You can go from reactive to proactive. From stressed out to strategic. And from full-body flares to full-on fun.
Want the Full Eczema-Healing Roadmap?
If you want the full plan—customized to your child and your summer lifestyle—the Eczema Elimination Method is your next step.
Inside, you’ll get:
- A clear food plan that works
- Full skincare protocol
- Daily and weekly routines
- Environmental detox guide
- 1:1 coaching and Voxer support (in the Transform path)
So you can finally stop:
- Winging it
- Guessing what’s working
- Buying one more cream that doesn’t help
And start:
- Watching your child’s skin heal
- Getting your sleep back
- Feeling empowered instead of overwhelmed
Ready to heal this in a single season? Visit eczemakids.com to join the Eczema Elimination Method today.
More Summertime Eczema Help
Summer doesn’t have to feel like eczema survival mode. With a little planning and a few strategic swaps, your child can play, swim, snack, and sleep through summer without flaring up.
And you? You get to enjoy it too.
Let this be the season you say goodbye to eczema and hello to giggles, sleep, and sunshine.
If you’re looking for further eczema guidance, check out The Perfect Summer Diet for Eczema Relief, Eczema-Friendly Travel and 4 Ways To Reverse Eczema With Vitamin D.
FAQ
What sunscreen is best for kids with eczema during the summer?
Look for a fragrance-free, non-nano zinc oxide mineral sunscreen with no parabens, preservatives, or chemical UV filters. Our mineral sunscreen at eczemakids.com/eczema-safe-sunscreen is specially formulated for eczema-prone skin with healing, barrier-supportive ingredients:
- Grass-Fed Tallow: Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K to deeply nourish and repair damaged skin
- Cold-Pressed Raspberry Seed Oil: Offers natural UV protection and antioxidants
- Organic Jojoba Oil: Mimics skin’s natural sebum for balanced hydration
- Beeswax Pastilles: Creates a breathable barrier to lock in moisture and protect from environmental elements
- Non-Nano Zinc Oxide (Uncoated): A physical UV blocker that won’t penetrate skin or disrupt hormones
- Organic Carrot Seed Essential Oil: Anti-inflammatory and naturally sun-supportive
- Rosemary Antioxidant CO₂ Extract: Extends shelf life and adds skin-protective compounds
It contains zero synthetic fragrance, toxins, or eczema-triggering ingredients—always.
Can my child with eczema still go swimming in a chlorinated pool?
es, many can—especially if their skin isn’t broken. Chlorine is a chemical, yes, but the benefits of sunshine, play, movement, and joy can outweigh the risks when you’re smart about aftercare. Always rinse immediately afterward and apply soothing skincare like Herbal Oil or Soothing Skin Cream. If the skin is cracked or inflamed, consider skipping the pool for the day. But for many kids, swimming is not only doable—it’s therapeutic with the right prep and post-care.
