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Exercise may or may not impact your body when you have eczema symptoms. It depends on the workout intensity, frequency, and the way you exercise.
If you are following the best guidelines for workouts during eczema, you are probably on the safe side. On the contrary, it can cause flare-ups and further issues. Still, it depends on the way you exercise.
Here, you will find the necessary information before you exercise with eczema symptoms.
Does exercise have any impact on eczema?
Yes, it has some effects on eczema symptoms. In general, the effects could be negative. It leads to sweating, which is a common trigger for this skin condition. However, exercise will boost your immunity, improve your mood, and help you cope with negative thoughts.
So, we recommend not stopping exercise due to eczema but adapting to the intensity. If the symptoms are mild, low-intensity workouts will work better for you. To be on the safe side, follow the below tips during workouts with eczema.
Tips to follow during exercise
Use a towel during a workout
Using a piece of clean cloth or a soft towel is highly recommended. Exercise leads to heat and sweating. The skin sweats to maintain the body’s natural temperature.
Sweating is healthy but could irritate eczema symptoms. To avoid its negative effects, pat dry the sweat with a soft towel frequently during workouts.
You must have seen bodybuilders having a cloth with them every time they exercise.
This is to clean the body right after a workout because taking a bath is not recommended at that time. For people who are affected by eczema, this step becomes more important.
Clean your body after exercise
A soft towel is good for drying sweat, but you must bathe to keep the skin clean. To do so, wait for at least 30 minutes after a workout and then bathe.
Use an eczema shampoo during baths to properly clean and treat its symptoms. During bathing, keep the instructions below in your mind:
- Avoid hot water. Use lukewarm water in a bath.
- Do not use regular shampoos or soaps.
- Limit the bath time to just 5 minutes.
- Pat dry the skin with a soft cloth.
- Moisturize the skin after bathe.
Follow these guidelines and take a bath after exercising.
Before bathing, make sure to check your bath routine. For individuals with dry skin, 2 to 3 baths are recommended. You do not have to take a bath every time you exercise. Bath after a moderate frequency exercise.
Avoid vigorous exercises
Do not do hard workouts. Exercise makes the body warm, which results in sweating to control body temperature. Extreme workouts may increase sweating, which can cause itching and an increased risk of bacterial infection.
Extreme workouts can also cause dizziness, headaches, sleeplessness, fatigue, chronic injuries, and loss of motivation. The best thing is to be consistent with whatever you have started.
Do low-intensity exercises like:
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Pilates
Yoga is proven to reduce stress and pain and improve eczema symptoms. Consult with a yoga coach to identify which exercise is best for you.
Exercise in a cool place
Heat increases itching and irritation. Exercise generates heat in the body, so doing a workout in a hot environment can have negative consequences.
Choose a place that is cool or normal in temperature. It is better to use a fan around you during exercise.
Avoid sudden temperature shifts. Do not go to a very cool place right after a workout. Maintain a cool and steady temperature during and after exercise.
Also, take breaks for a few minutes during exercise to avoid exhausting your body. This will help cool down body temperature naturally. In the meantime, use a cloth to clean sweat.
Hydration is very important
Keeping your body hydrated is a critical aspect of exercise and eczema. Sweating is simply a loss of water and salts to cool down the body when it overheats.
Drinking plenty of water is highly recommended. Usually, doctors recommend 3 liters of daily water intake for men and 2 liters for women.
So, when you exercise and have eczema that dries out your skin, you need enough water to cover the loss due to sweating. Use moderate-temperature water for drinking.
Choose the right clothing
Exercising leads to sweating, and certain types of clothes can trap that sweat.
Tight clothing, synthetic fibers, and harsh clothing can negatively impact eczema symptoms. Dark-colored fabrics trap heat, so you should avoid those too.
Wear less clothing so it does not come in contact with the skin. If you are outside or at the gym, wear clothes that do not rub hard against the affected area when you exercise.
Wear light, cool, and breathable clothing during the workout. Do not compromise on good clothing, even if you are at the gym.
After exercise, your clothes might get sweaty a lot. Dress up in clean clothing after taking a bath. Organic cotton is the best type of fabric that you can choose during eczema. You can also wear cotton clothes while sleeping.
Use a moisturizer regularly
Sweating is composed of water and salts. When our body sweats due to heat and exercise, we lose natural fluids from the skin.
To recover lost nutrients, use a good moisturizing lotion or cream. When looking for products, make sure to choose one that is medically approved and fragrance-free.
Otherwise, you can use aloe vera gel, natural oils, and honey on your skin. These will keep your skin smooth and shiny.
Conclusions
Every individual should do regular exercise to strengthen muscles and joints. If you are experiencing symptoms of eczema and are worried about the effects of exercise, follow the tips described in this article. Getting proper treatment and keeping your body cool is highly recommended to get the best out of exercise.
Avoid exercise during extreme conditions. Even mild-intensity exercises could be dangerous in that scenario. Consult a healthcare professional or workout coach to better analyze which exercises are good for you.
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