Eczema in summer: keeping flare-ups under control

Health advice ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

Heat, sweat, sunscreen and swimming can all set off eczema in summer. The good news is that a steady routine usually keeps things calmer: keep cool, moisturise every day, rinse off after swimming and choose sunscreen for sensitive skin. Here’s what helps, what doesn’t, and when a flare needs a doctor.

If you’d like help choosing gentle products for eczema-prone skin, our team can help with skincare advice at Pacific Fair, and our pharmacists can tell you when it’s time to see a GP.

Why does eczema flare up in summer?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a condition where the skin barrier doesn’t hold moisture well, so skin becomes dry, itchy and inflamed. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne describes heat as a major trigger, and a Gold Coast summer brings plenty of it, along with humidity that keeps you sweaty for hours.

Common summer triggers include:

• Overheating: hot days, hot showers and too many layers.
• Sweat: the Eczema Association of Australasia notes sweat can cause relentless itching and irritation.
• Chlorine and salt water: both can dry and irritate the skin if left on.
• Some sunscreens: fragrances, preservatives and certain chemical ingredients can aggravate eczema.
• Sand and synthetic fabrics rubbing against sensitive skin.

Eczema in summer: myth vs fact

Myth: “You can skip moisturiser in summer because the air is humid.”

Fact: Humidity doesn’t fix a weakened skin barrier. ASCIA and healthdirect both recommend moisturising at least twice a day, and healthdirect says to keep moisturising even when your eczema is under control. If thick creams feel heavy in the heat, ask about lighter fragrance-free options for daytime and save the thicker ones for night.

Myth: “A hot shower soothes the itch.”

Fact: Hot water can make eczema worse. healthdirect advises making sure baths and showers aren’t too hot, and ASCIA recommends lukewarm water. For children, the Royal Children’s Hospital suggests a cool bath no hotter than 30°C. Use a soap-free wash, pat (don’t rub) the skin dry and apply moisturiser straight away.

Myth: “People with eczema shouldn’t go swimming.”

Fact: Most people with eczema can swim with a bit of preparation. The Eczema Association of Australasia suggests applying a generous layer of your usual thick moisturiser 10 to 15 minutes before swimming as a barrier against salt and chlorine. Afterwards, rinse off in a lukewarm shower as soon as you’re out and moisturise within a few minutes while your skin is still slightly damp. The exception: skip swimming if skin is weeping, crusted or looks infected, and check with your GP first.

Myth: “Any sunscreen will do.”

Fact: Sun protection matters on the Gold Coast, but eczema-prone skin can react to some formulas. The Eczema Association of Australasia recommends a mineral-based sunscreen made for sensitive skin, and avoiding products with fragrance, essential oils or a high alcohol content. Choose one that is broad-spectrum, water-resistant and SPF50 or SPF50+, as Cancer Council recommends, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Apply moisturiser first and give it time to sink in before you put sunscreen on. If you’re trying a new sunscreen, ask our team how to test it on a small area of skin first.

Myth: “Eczema is contagious.”

Fact: Eczema isn’t contagious and can’t spread from person to person, according to the Royal Children’s Hospital. Kids with eczema don’t need to sit out of the pool party because of how their skin looks.

Myth: “Cutting foods out will clear up eczema.”

Fact: The Royal Children’s Hospital says food allergies are not the cause of eczema, and restricting foods without medical advice doesn’t help. If you suspect a food allergy, talk to your GP rather than changing your child’s diet yourself.

Practical tips for eczema in hot, humid weather

Keep cool

• Stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day. The Eczema Association of Australasia suggests avoiding roughly 12pm to 3pm and taking breaks in the shade or indoors.
• Dress in loose, light cotton. For kids, the Royal Children’s Hospital suggests one or two thin layers of cotton.
• Avoid wool, acrylic and other prickly or synthetic fabrics against the skin.
• Keep the bedroom cool at night with a fan or air conditioning, and use cotton sheets.

Manage sweat

• Rinse off sweat with lukewarm water after exercise or a long day out, then moisturise.
• Change out of sweaty clothes as soon as you can.
• Drink plenty of water.

Beach and pool days

• Moisturise before you swim, and pack a travel-size moisturiser in the beach bag.
• Change out of wet togs promptly to avoid chafing around the neck, groin and underarms.
• Wear a rash vest and hat to cut down on how much sunscreen you need.
• Use beach shoes and sit on a towel rather than directly on sand or grass.

Keep up your routine on holidays

Whether you’re heading off on a trip or hosting visitors, try to stick to your usual bathing and moisturising routine. The Eczema Association of Australasia notes that keeping routines going can help prevent flare-ups. If you’ve been given an eczema action plan by your doctor, bring it with you.

What to ask your pharmacist about eczema

You don’t need to know product names. Tell us about your skin and we’ll help you narrow it down. Useful questions include:

• Which fragrance-free moisturisers suit my skin, and how much should I use?
• Is there a soap-free wash or bath oil you’d suggest?
• Which sunscreens are made for sensitive skin?
• Is there anything that may help ease the itch while I wait to see a GP?
• How should I use the cream my doctor prescribed alongside my moisturiser?
• What’s suitable for my baby or toddler?

If you’re not sure whether a rash is eczema at all, our pharmacists can take a look and let you know whether it’s something to see a doctor about.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

See a GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if:

• your eczema isn’t improving with regular moisturising and your usual routine
• it’s keeping you or your child awake at night
• the skin is weepy, crusted, oozing or broken, which can be signs of infection
• the skin is more painful, red or hot than usual
• you or your child feel unwell or have a fever with a flare
• your baby has itchy, dry or rashy skin, so it can be properly diagnosed
• flare-ups keep coming back and you’d like an eczema action plan

Get medical help the same day if painful blisters or sores are spreading quickly over areas of eczema, especially with a fever. Eczema can become infected with the cold sore virus, which needs urgent treatment. The Royal Children’s Hospital advises not letting anyone with a cold sore kiss a child who has eczema.

In an emergency, call 000.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.