When I was younger, I had SEVERE eczema, there wasn't a part of my body that wasn't covered at some point. You name a place, I had it there.
I recall :
As you can imagine over the years, this involved a lot of pain & discomfort for me and expense for my parents, but nothing seemed to work, well not for long anyway.
"But your skin is lovely, Tracey - I think you're exaggerating!" - Believe me, I am not. My skin may not be scared, but I am from those experiences. That's not something I would wish for any child or young woman to endure.
I left the UK at 18 after marrying a soldier and went to live in Cyprus. Let's just say, being one of the most stressful of times, I should have been riddled with eczema. But I wasn't. In fact, far from it. I thought it was the benefits of my constant dips in the Mediterranean Sea, for it was warmer and far salter than the English Chanel that I was forced to wade in occasionally as I grew up.
Then two years later, I moved back to the UK. Within weeks, I felt the itching return. I could see my skin changing. I knew what was coming. I read in a magazine that sunshine could help skin conditions. It was then that I put two and two together. In the summer I went out in the sun more than I would have as a child, I walked miles to make the most of it, but in the winter the itching and flaking would return. This was when I started using UV beds. I know these have risks associated to them, but only 4 mins every month was enough to get me through the winter. It kept me sane.
Then, I moved to Spain. I can honestly say that my skin has never felt better. I rarely sit or lay out in it, and where there is a UV umbrella, you will find me under it. I put on factor 30-50 face cream daily, regardless of how cloudy it is. The sunshine I get is from all the walking that I do. It's my medicine. And it's FREE.
Obviously this is MY story, and may not suit everyone who has a skin complaint, even eczema, we are all individuals and our bodies are complex. But If this can help one person not suffer like I did, then I will not apologise for being an advocate to getting some sunshine on your body, in a safe and healthy way.
Exposure to sunlight can have both positive and negative effects. However, it's important to approach sun exposure with caution and follow medical advice. Here are some potential benefits of sunlight for people with eczema:
Vitamin D Production: Sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D, which plays a role in the immune system and can contribute to overall skin health. Some studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to an increased risk of eczema flare-ups, so getting moderate sun exposure may be beneficial in this regard.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Sunlight exposure can have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, which may help reduce redness, swelling, and itching associated with eczema.
Bacterial Balance: Sunlight exposure has been shown to influence the skin's microbiome, promoting a balance of beneficial bacteria. A balanced skin microbiome may help reduce the severity of eczema symptoms.
Despite these potential benefits, it's essential to be cautiously because of the potential risks:
Sunburn: Eczema-prone skin can be more sensitive, making it more susceptible to sunburn. Sunburn can exacerbate eczema symptoms.
Skin Dehydration: Sun exposure can cause skin dehydration, which may worsen eczema symptoms. Moisturizing the skin regularly and staying hydrated can help counteract this effect (I Can highly recommend Virgin Coconut Oil applied after every shower!)
Heat Triggers: For some individuals with eczema, heat can trigger flare-ups, and increase itching and irritation.
Photosensitivity: Certain medications used to treat eczema, such as topical steroids, can increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.
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