Download Summer Skin Care - National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias

National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias
Summer Skin Care
Special skin car is needed during the warmer, sunnier months. Sunlight is responsible for aging changes in the
skin as well as for some types of skin cancer. Everyone's skin needs adequate protection from the sun's rays, not
only to avoid sunburn, but to prevent the long-term effects of wrinkling and the development of skin cancer. In
general, the more fair-skinned the individual, the less built-in protection he/she has against burning and the
long-term effects of sun exposure. Even darker-skinned people who tan easily should acquire their tan
gradually. Everyone should use a sun-screen if they expect to be in the sun for any length of time. Whether you
burn or tan when exposed to sunlight depends on your skin type: how much pigment you have in your skin and
your hair and eye color. It is a good idea to be extremely cautious about sun exposure in young children until it
is known how their skin will respond to the sun.
Sunscreens are available in many forms. People affected by EDs should use a moisturizing base such as a cream
or lotion, rather than a gel or spray. Sunscreens are also labeled with an SPF (sun protection factor) number,
which ranges from a high of 50 to a low of 2-4. SPF #15 provides adequate protection for almost everyone if
enough is applied. A higher SPF applied more sparingly will yield similar protection. Below #6, the protective
effect of a sunscreen is probably negligible. Sunscreens must be applied at least 1/2 hour before going out so
chemicals can penetrate the outer layer of the skin.
In addition to the drying effects of the summer sun, frequent swimming, particularly in a chlorinated pool, will
also dry out some people's skin. This is particularly true if you have eczema. It is not necessary to give up
swimming entirely, but it is helpful to shower off the chlorinated water promptly and lubricate generously with
an emollient (ointment, cream or lotion) immediately after swimming or after the shower.
Finally, insect bites are another summer nuisance. These can be minimized by using child safe insect repellants
(i.e. Skeedoddle). Some children are more susceptible to persistent bites and extreme itching (called papular
urticaria). Products such as Pramoxine (Aveeno Anti-itch) or menthol (Sarnalotion) and cool soaks or baths are
helpful. Simple measures such as Calamine or Sarna lotions and cool soaks or baths are helpful. Antihistamines
such as Benadryl taken by mouth and topical cortisone can be helpful for severe insect bite reactions.
Nancy B. Esterly, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Elaine Siegfried, M.D.
Central Dermatology,
St. Louis, MO
Update 04
The content of this document is for informational purposes only. Questions regarding specific patient issues
should be directed to the appropriate professionals for resolution.