Methods for treating atopic dermatitis have been continuously studied from the past to the present. As a result, various treatments have emerged, and some have established themselves as popular treatments through trial and error.
‘Light therapy (ultraviolet therapy)’, a treatment for atopic dermatitis using ultraviolet rays contained in the sun’s rays, is one of them. It is a method of treating atopic dermatitis by using a machine that can control the specific wavelength and time of ultraviolet rays and project ultraviolet rays into the skin showing symptoms. It is used to treat skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo as well as atopic dermatitis.
As phototherapy became more well-known and popular, a frequently mentioned method of management among atopic patients emerged. It is ‘sunbathing’ where atopic symptoms are exposed to the sun for a certain period of time during the day.
Sunshine｜Source: Getty Images Bank
Atopy worsened by sunbathing, what is the cause?
When exposed to sunlight, our body produces substances such as vitamin D, which are difficult to form from food alone. In addition, it helps to stimulate metabolism and secrete beneficial hormones. These physical responses can have a positive effect on alleviating the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. It is also a way to help restore the circadian rhythm for patients whose symptoms of atopic dermatitis have worsened due to problems with the sleep cycle due to the change of day and night.
The problem is that many cases of atopic skin symptoms are aggravated by sunbathing, and complain of suffering. After sunbathing, if the redness and heat of the skin does not subside well, or if you feel that the itching increases due to sweating, you should stop sunbathing immediately.
First of all, patients currently receiving phototherapy should be careful about overexposure to UV rays. Even if a patient with atopic dermatitis whose skin barrier is damaged due to an abnormal immune reaction, even if they are not receiving phototherapy, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light can cause abnormal skin symptoms.
Existing atopic symptoms can even worsen if the body overheats after being in the hot sun for a long time. In particular, patients with atopic dermatitis often present with other underlying diseases or symptoms of allergic dermatitis, but when the body temperature rises and the immune response becomes severe, the moment the skin is exposed to sunlight, rash and itching may occur.
What is the correct way to sunbathe for atopic dermatitis patients?
1. Avoid sunbathing and sunbathing
In particular, avoid going out in the middle of the day in the summer when it’s hot and the UV rays are strong, and it’s best to go out between 9 and 11 am. If you notice any symptoms on your skin, stop sunbathing and take shelter in the shade or return home.
2. Wear a hat and long, breathable clothing
Ultraviolet rays used for phototherapy can only be appropriately adjusted to a desired intensity with wavelengths that are useful for treatment. However, UV rays that we are directly exposed to in nature can damage the skin by putting excessive heat and stress on the skin. In particular, since atopic skin already has a very weak skin barrier, skin damage can be more severe when it is directly exposed to strong ultraviolet rays for a long period of time.
Sunscreen can cause skin irritation, so it’s best not to use it if you have severe dermatitis. Sunscreen can also affect the synthesis of vitamin D. Therefore, if you go out in the sun to sunbathe, you are advised to wear a hat and long, breathable clothing.
3. After sunbathing, take a shower to cool and moisturize the skin
In patients with atopic dermatitis, when the body temperature rises, an inflammatory reaction takes place actively in the skin, which can intensify the itching. Therefore, it is good to cool down with a shower after sunbathing. Cooling and using moisturizers can also help lower skin temperature. If you pay attention to moisturizing, it helps to strengthen the skin barrier and is good for preventing sun allergy.
Atopic Dermatitis｜Source: Getty Images Bank
The most important point in the treatment of atopic dermatitis
No matter how effective the management method used by other people to treat atopic dermatitis is, a method that does not match my current physical condition and skin condition can make atopic symptoms worse. The same goes for sunbathing. Therefore, before practicing life management, you should look back to see if the method is very useful for your atopic symptoms, and check if the method you are trying to move forward with is the right method.
In addition, if attention is not paid to the ‘internal factors’ that caused atopic dermatitis by lowering immunity from within the body and causing abnormal reactions in the body’s immune system, it may be difficult to see the therapeutic effect and desired no matter how hard you try. manage the symptoms that appear on the skin. As the pressure to continue management increases, symptoms often worsen.
Rather than focusing on methods of controlling and controlling inflammation, the priority is to find out under what circumstances and what physical symptoms lead to skin inflammation with the help of medical staff, and then proceed with appropriate treatment.
Written by Medical Reporter Hidak, Director Im Eun-kyo (oriental doctor)
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