Quick answer: The sun can be both friend and foe for eczema-prone skin. Some children's eczema improves in summer, but heat, sweat and sunburn can all trigger flares, and sun exposure isn't a treatment. Overheating can make eczema itch worse.¹ Protect your child's skin whenever the UV Index is 3 or above with clothing, a hat, shade and sunglasses, plus SPF 50+ sunscreen for children over six months.² Keep babies under 12 months out of direct sun at these times.² Keep your child cool, and moisturise after sun, sweat and swimming.
Sun, heat and eczema at a glance
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| UV Index 3 or above | Clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, shade and sunglasses, plus sunscreen for children over 6 months |
| Babies under 12 months | Keep out of direct sun when the UV Index is 3 or above |
| Babies under 6 months | Avoid widespread sunscreen use; rely on clothing, hats and shade |
| Hot days | Light, loose cotton; play in cooler hours; keep your child cool and hydrated |
| After swimming | Rinse with fresh water, pat dry and moisturise |
| During a flare | Cover inflamed skin with clothing; don't put sunscreen on broken skin |
Does the sun help or harm eczema?
It depends on the child. Some families notice their child's eczema improves in summer, while for others, heat and sweat trigger more flares. Eczema affects how well the skin controls body temperature, so children with eczema often feel hot, and heat can make their skin itchy.³
You may have heard of phototherapy, a controlled ultraviolet light treatment sometimes used for severe eczema. It's given in a clinic under specialist care, and it isn't the same as time in the sun. Australia's UV levels are high, and sunburn damages the skin barrier, so sun exposure should never be used as an eczema treatment.
Why heat and sweat make eczema worse
When children get hot, they sweat. Sweat sitting on eczema-prone skin can sting and itch, and overheating or over-wrapping your child can make eczema itch worse.¹ Scratching then irritates the skin further. That's why keeping your child cool is just as important as sun protection in summer.
How to protect eczema-prone skin from the sun
Cancer Council recommends sun protection whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, using a combination of measures.²
- Clothing: light, loose, long-sleeved cotton clothing is your child's first line of defence, and it's especially useful over areas with active eczema.
- Hat and sunglasses: a broad-brimmed or legionnaire-style hat, and sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard.
- Shade: plan outdoor play in the shade, and for cooler parts of the day.
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Sunscreen, as the last line of defence:
- Under six months: widespread use isn't generally recommended, as babies' skin is very sensitive.²
- Over six months: use an SPF 50 or 50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.² A fragrance-free formula for sensitive skin is a good choice.
- Patch test first: try any new sunscreen on a small patch of skin before using it all over.⁴
- Apply and reapply: apply 15 to 20 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours,⁵ and after swimming or towelling dry.
- Avoid broken skin: don't apply sunscreen to weeping or broken eczema. Cover these areas with clothing instead.
Moisturiser and sunscreen: apply your child's moisturiser first, such as Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream, and let it soak in before applying sunscreen to exposed skin.
For general sun safety tips, read our guide to sun safety for babies and kids in Australia.
Keeping babies and children cool in hot weather
During the day:
- Dress your child in light, loose cotton, and change damp clothes after sweaty play.
- Plan outdoor play for the morning or late afternoon, and stay in the shade.
- Use a cool, damp cloth (not ice) on hot skin, and a fan to circulate air, not pointed directly at your baby.
- Never leave a child in a parked car, even for a moment.
At night:
- Dress your baby for the room temperature: comfortably warm, not hot. Check by feeling their back or tummy, and keep their head and face uncovered.⁶
- Choose soft cotton sleepwear, and remove extra layers on hot nights.
Hydration:
- Babies under six months shouldn't be given water unless your doctor advises it.⁵ Offer extra breastfeeds or formula feeds in hot weather instead.
- Older babies and children: offer water regularly throughout the day.
Heat rash or eczema?
Heat rash (also called sweat rash) appears as tiny red bumps in sweaty areas, such as the neck, chest and skin folds, and usually settles quickly once your child cools down.
Eczema causes dry, rough, itchy patches that come and go in flares, and doesn't clear just by cooling down.
Children with eczema can get both. If you're unsure, or the rash doesn't settle, see your GP.
Swimming in summer
Swimming is a great summer activity for children with eczema. Chlorinated pools and salt water can dry or irritate the skin in some children,³ so put on moisturiser before swimming, rinse with fresh water afterwards, pat dry and moisturise again.³ Skip swimming if the skin is weeping, infected or broken, or during a severe flare.⁷
For more tips, read our guide to eczema, sport and holidays.
After a day in the sun
- Bathe in lukewarm water, not cold or hot, to rinse off sweat, sunscreen, salt and chlorine. Stelatopia Cleansing Oil cleanses gently without stripping the skin's natural oils.
- Pat dry and moisturise while the skin is still slightly damp.
- Check the skin over the next day or two for new redness or itching.
When should you see a doctor?
See your GP if your child:
- has sunburn on areas of eczema, or blistering sunburn,
- reacts to a sunscreen (redness, stinging or a new rash),
- has eczema that looks infected: very red, weepy, or crusted with yellow scabs.
Seek urgent medical help if your baby is unusually drowsy or floppy, has far fewer wet nappies than usual, or seems unwell in the heat.
Frequently asked questions about sun, heat and eczema
Is sunscreen safe on eczema-prone skin?
Yes, for children over six months. Choose an SPF 50 or 50+, broad-spectrum sunscreen,² ideally fragrance-free, and patch test it first.⁴ Don't apply it to broken or weeping skin; cover those areas with clothing instead.
Should my child avoid the sun during an eczema flare?
They don't need to stay indoors, but take extra care. Cover inflamed areas with loose cotton clothing, keep your child cool to avoid sweating, and plan outdoor time in the shade and in cooler hours.
Are mineral sunscreens better for eczema?
Some children with sensitive skin tolerate mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) better, but every child is different. The most important thing is to choose a fragrance-free, SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreen that your child tolerates, and patch test it first.
Is salt water good for eczema?
It varies. Some children find the ocean soothing, while for others salt water stings, especially on broken skin. Whichever you choose, rinse with fresh water and moisturise after swimming.³
References
- Perth Children's Hospital (Child and Adolescent Health Service, WA). Caring for your child's eczema.
- Cancer Council Australia. Sun protection and babies.
- KidsHealth NZ (with Starship Children's Hospital). Eczema – caring for your child's skin.
- Cancer Council SA. Sun protection for babies and toddlers.
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government). Sun and heat protection for babies and kids.
- Red Nose Australia. What is a safe room temperature for sleeping baby?
- American Academy of Dermatology. Will swimming in a pool trigger my child's eczema?
This article provides general information and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your GP, paediatrician or dermatologist about your child's skin.
