If you have eczema, you know that it can be an incredibly difficult condition to deal with. Between the itchiness, the redness, and the dryness, it’s hard to get any relief. But if there’s one thing that’s always been associated with “relaxation and relief,” it’s hot tubs.
You might be wondering if hot tubs are good for eczema. Well, the answer is yes and no.
While hot tubs can provide some relief from the symptoms of eczema, they can also make the condition worse. It all depends on how you use them.
In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips on how to take a shower with eczema as well as how to use hot tubs in a way that won’t irritate your skin further, allowing you to have great skin days forever!
First Things First — How To Take A Shower With Eczema
If you have eczema, you know that showers can be a trigger for your symptoms. This is because hot water and soap can strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving your skin dry and vulnerable. A lot of people make their eczema symptoms worse on a daily basis just because they shower wrong!
However, there are some things you can do to minimize the risk of flare-ups:
- Use lukewarm water instead of hot water. Avoid scalding your skin as this will only aggravate your eczema further. This is because hot water can strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry and vulnerable, which is the opposite of the basic care requirements for eczema.
- Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and soaps. Fragrances can irritate your skin and worsen eczema symptoms. Even if you’re not particularly sensitive to fragrances, it’s better to avoid them. You can never know what you might suddenly become intolerant to, so it’s a good idea to always stick with fragrance-free products in your entire routine.
- Use a non-irritating shampoo: Many shampoos contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your eczema and cause flare-ups. Look for a shampoo specifically made for sensitive or irritated skin, and make sure it is also fragrance-free. While you might not have eczema on your scalp, the shampoo you use will run down the rest of your body. Contact with irritants, even if they’re not actually made for your skin, will end up causing flares all over the body!
- Limit shower or bath time to 10 minutes or less. Longer exposure to water can dry out your skin. Even if you’re showering with cold water, limiting your time in the shower is still important.
- Pat, don’t rub yourself dry with a soft towel after showering. Rubbing can be too rough on your sensitive skin and can cause irritation. Try going for a 100% cotton towel or a microfiber one. Both of these soak up liquids fast and are super gentle on the skin. No matter what’s going on, gentle is what you’re going for!
- Immediately apply moisturizer or a soothing cream, like one containing colloidal oatmeal, to damp skin to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. This is crucial! Your skin is most absorbent when it’s damp, so use this opportunity to nourish and protect your skin. Plus, it’ll help lock in all that water you just put on your skin, keeping it hydrated longer.
Now onto hot tubs…
Are Hot Tubs Good For Eczema?
Now that we’ve covered how to take a shower with eczema, let’s talk about hot tubs and how they can affect your eczema symptoms.
Hot tubs can offer relief from the itchiness and discomfort of eczema, as the warm water helps to soothe irritated skin. However, it’s important to keep in mind that hot tubs also have a lot of chemicals and potential irritants, such as chlorine.
To mitigate this, make sure the hot tub is cleaned regularly and properly to prevent excess chemical buildup. It’s also a good idea to shower immediately after getting out of the hot tub to wash off any residue. And lastly, limit your time in the hot tub to avoid drying out your skin.
Overall, hot tubs can offer some relief for eczema symptoms, but it’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent irritation and dryness. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist if you have any concerns about using a hot tub with eczema.
How To Use Hot Tubs Safely With Eczema
Hot tubs can provide relief from the itchiness and dryness associated with eczema, but it’s important to use them safely in order to avoid further irritation:
- Make sure the hot tub is properly cleaned and maintained to prevent a buildup of chemicals, such as chlorine, that can irritate your eczema-prone skin.
- Soak for 10 minutes or less. Longer soak times will dry out your skin, so it’s best to keep them short. This also applies to bathing and showering.
- Shower immediately after using the hot tub to wash off any residue that may have remained on your skin..
- Avoid using harsh chemicals in the hot tub water. These can further irritate your skin, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
- Apply a moisturizer immediately after soaking in the hot tub. This will help lock in moisture and prevent your skin from drying out further.
The Bottom Line
Eczema is a difficult condition to deal with, but there are things you can do to find relief from the symptoms. By following these tips, you can find relief from the symptoms of eczema without making your condition worse. Even though the tips that we’ve mentioned in the article aren’t exhaustive, they’re a great place to start.
It’s important to remember, though, skin conditions like eczema can change over time. Something that worked for you a year ago might not work the same way now. So it’s best to always stay on top of your skincare routine! With the tips we’ve gone over above, your journey to happy, healthy skin should be a lot easier!
