Did you know that sweat can exacerbate eczematous skin? Unfortunately, this complicates exercising. We all need some form of exercise in our lives to remain healthy and fit. Exercise is not only good for your weight, but it also helps your heart, blood pressure and mental well being. When you have a skin disorder that is aggravated by sweat, there are a few things you can do to help minimize the flare ups. Let’s take a further look below!
Exercising with Eczema Tips
- Wear loose clothing and cotton blends. Avoid fabrics that allow for your skin to breathe.
- Begin your workout with stretching and breathing exercises.
- Don’t over exert yourself.
- Pat sweat from your skin during your workout. Do not rub your skin with the towel. This can cause further irritation.
- Bring your own towel, to ensure it has been washed in a mild detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets when laundering your towels and clothing. These are common allergens.
- Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water while exercising and after your workout. Remember the 8X8 rule, 8 glasses of 8 ounces aof water, at least, per day!
- Take a shower immediately after workout. Remember the hotter the water, the drier your skin will become, so shower in lukewarm temperatures. Limit shower times to 5-10 minutes.
- Use a mild soap free of harmful allergens and chemicals, including sulfates, fragrances, parabens, oatmeal and dyes.
Again, pat skin dry once done with your shower. - Implement a proper moisturizing routine.
After showering, it is important to moisturize. In fact, I cannot stress enough the importance of properly moisturizing eczematous skin. While the typical regimen of daily moisturizing is twice per day, I recommend four times a day. Especially, during times of extremely dry skin, or when actively experiencing the symptoms of eczema or psoriasis. For optimal results, moisturize 3-5 minutes after showering. This will provide maximum, moisture lock. It is best to use the TrueLipids 1% hydrocortisone cream, ointment and ceramide cream. Lotions are not sufficient for locking in moisture.
If exercising causes your dermatitis to worsen and these tips are not helpful in controlling it, make an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss other options.
