eEveryone with eczema has their own cocktail of specific triggers that make their symptoms worse.
“Exercise can mean outdoor activity with pollen, weeds and grasses,” says dermatologist Calvin Williams, M.D., medical director of the Essential Dermatology Group. “Or exercise could mean exposure to areas like gym mats where microbes like to colonize, which can also lead to inflammation.”
More importantly, our bodies naturally sweat to keep us cool during our workouts. Also, some of the components of sweat (sodium chloride, urea, lactic acid) can irritate the skin and exacerbate symptoms such as itching. According to Dr. Williams, “sweating is one of the most commonly reported triggers for him.”
Of course, fitness is an important part of staying fit, so quitting exercise entirely isn’t usually a good solution. “There is a clear link between eczema and stress, and we know that exercise can reduce stress and anxiety,” explains Dr. Williams. Therefore, exercising regularly reduce Eczema recurs in some patients.
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How to exercise comfortably with eczema
Instead of giving up exercise altogether, it’s best to do a little research and troubleshooting to reduce the chance of skin irritation.
1. Identify your triggers
Dr. Williams recommends that people with atopic dermatitis try to understand exactly what is causing the inflammation caused by exercise so they can find creative ways to avoid them. For example, wearing long pants when running on outdoor trails can prevent your feet from hitting plants.
2. Drink lots of water
Staying hydrated while exercising is always important, but even more so for those exercising with eczema. “Patients who suffer from eczema already have problems with epidermal dehydration,” says Dr. Williams.
3. Wear natural materials
If sweat irritates your eczema, natural fabrics are best. Wearing synthetic materials that trap sweat to the skin can cause further irritation. “Natural materials allow more air flow and absorption of sweat, reducing direct contact of sweat with the skin for long periods of time.” says Dr. Williams. Think cotton, bamboo, or wool.
4. Please clean the mat before use
Disinfect training equipment with antibacterial spray Previous I am against using it to prevent flare-inducing infections. Don’t trust it to be properly cleaned by a former gym goer.
5. Remove while sweating
“If sweat is irritating, placing a clean towel nearby and gently blotting it up can help reduce itching,” Dr. Williams advises.
6. Control chlorine exposure
Chlorine is a known skin irritant, even without eczema. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid pools. “Short exposure to chlorine pools can potentially be helpful and has a similar effect to a dilute bleach bath,” says Dr. Williams. Be sure to get out of your swimsuit and rinse off with fresh, clean water as soon as you’re done. To do.
7. Protect your skin with cream
Finally, Dr. Williams suggests using a skin protectant before and after your workout. Lather it up, lace it up and get it.
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