Managing eczema flare-ups in Australia: A dermatologist’s guide

Anyone with eczema in Australia knows the struggle. Our climate changes a lot across the continent. We have hot summers in the north, cold winters in Tasmania, and sudden shifts between drought and humidity.

Your skin barely adapts to one condition before everything changes. The sunshine that felt pleasant last Tuesday suddenly becomes your worst enemy by Friday. Then just as you’ve armed yourself with summer solutions, autumn arrives with its own set of challenges.

We’ve seen it all at Dermo Direct. Over the years, our team has guided people through thousands of seasonal flare-ups. This guide shares what we know about managing eczema in Australia’s seasons.

The real impact of Australian seasons on eczema

Nearly a third of us Down Under will fight the eczema battle at some point. You know the signs – that maddening itch, skin that looks like you’ve been sunburned when you haven’t, and patches that flare up just when you thought you had things under control. They often follow seasonal patterns that match our climate zones.

We have noticed many of our patients can almost mark their calendars by when their symptoms worsen. Some people fear November’s first heat wave. Others know that March’s cooler temps will spark their flares.

We have seen patients struggle for months. Then, they finally notice their skin’s calendar. Once you figure out your body’s reaction to seasonal shifts, everything changes. You stop playing defense – rushing to the pharmacy when your skin flares up – and start planning ahead.

Think of it like preparing for a storm you know is coming rather than frantically boarding up windows when the wind picks up.

Summer survival: Beating heat, humidity and chlorine

Australian summer poses many challenges for people with eczema:

Heat and sweat management

When summer temperatures climb above 30°C, sweat becomes a primary trigger for eczema sufferers.

Our dermatologists suggest wearing loose cotton clothes. This helps your skin breathe. Rinse off soon after sweating rather than allowing perspiration to remain on your skin. After beach days, use lukewarm water instead of hot showers to prevent stripping your skin’s natural oils.

Swimming considerations

Beach days and pool sessions are must-haves in an Aussie summer. But chlorine and saltwater can cause flares.

Our specialists recommend: "Apply a thick moisturiser before swimming – it acts as a barrier." Then, rinse right away and put on your prescribed moisturiser again.

They add, "Don’t let eczema keep you from enjoying our beautiful beaches. With proper management, most patients can still enjoy swimming.”

Quick summer skin routine:

Morning: Light, fragrance-free moisturiser + mineral sunscreen

After swimming: Immediate rinse + moisturiser

Evening: Gentle cleanser + thicker healing ointment

When summer surrenders to autumn

Mid-February hits, and suddenly there’s that first cool morning. Your skin notices before you do.

Autumn in Australia has some annoying in-between weeks. Autumn days can be wild. You might start the week in the heat, but by Thursday afternoon, you’re reaching for a jacket. We have had patients walk into consultations with raw, red patches that weren’t there three days earlier.

The constant flip-flopping destroys your skin barrier. Moisture gets sucked out fast when the dry air kicks in. Many people change their routine only when they’re itchy and uncomfortable.

"Don’t wait for the damage," we tell our patients at Dermo Direct. Start using those heavier creams at the first sign of autumn cooling. Your skin will thank you for being proactive. This approach stops dry, cracked skin from showing up when humidity falls.

Watch out for these hidden autumn triggers:

• Fallen leaves and increased mold in the air
• Reintroduction of wool clothing
• Reduced humidity as heating systems activate
• Increased stress from work or school routines

Winter: Combating dry air and indoor heating

Winter is a big challenge for people with eczema in Australia. This is especially true in the southern states, where temperatures can drop a lot.

"Indoor heating makes the air very dry. This can dry out your skin a lot," say our specialists. Use a humidifier in bedrooms and living areas. It’s best to do this overnight since skin repair happens then.

Many patients change their skincare routines in winter. Consider using cream-based cleansers. Apply prescription topicals right after showering when your skin is still a bit damp. This traps moisture and helps medications work better.

Our dermatologists say, "In winter, many patients need their strongest prescriptions." With our telehealth platform, we can easily adjust medication strengths. This means fewer in-person visits are needed.

Winter clothing tips:

• Wear cotton or silk against your skin
• For outer layers, choose fleece instead of wool
• Layer up so you can adjust as needed when going between heated indoors and cold outdoors

Spring: Managing pollen season

Spring brings new challenges as pollen levels soar across Australia. For 70% of eczema patients who also have allergies, this can be very hard.

Dermatologists say that environmental allergies and eczema are connected. Many patients don’t know their spring skin problems come from airborne allergens.

Try these pollen management strategies:

• Check pollen counts on your weather app before planning outdoor activities
• Shower when you come inside to wash away pollen on your skin and hair
• Consider an air purifier for your bedroom
• Wash your sheets weekly in hot water
• Discuss antihistamine options with your dermatologist

Year-round eczema management principles

As seasons change, some eczema management principles stay the same:

Consistent moisturising

Dermo Direct’s skin experts say that moisturising is key for self-care. Apply moisturiser at least twice a day, especially on problem areas. After bathing, you have a three-minute window to lock in moisture before skin dries out.

Trigger identification

Our dermatologists suggest that many patients keep a simple skin journal. Watch for flare-ups and note what might trigger them, such as stress, specific foods, or new products. This information is invaluable during telehealth consultations.

Stress management

Research confirms the stress-eczema connection. Stress-reduction techniques can help patients enhance their skin.

Our experts say the skin-mind connection is clear. Stress triggers inflammatory responses throughout the body, including your skin.

Consider including these stress-management practices:

• Adequate sleep
• Regular exercise
• Brief meditation sessions
• Time outdoors (when pollen counts are low)

When to seek professional help

Mild eczema is usually easy to manage with over-the-counter products. However, some situations need professional help:

• Flares that don’t respond to your usual treatment plan
• Signs of skin infection (increased pain, yellow crusting, warmth)
• Eczema that interferes with sleep or daily activities
• Widespread flares affecting large body areas

"Many patients wait too long before seeking help," note our dermatologists. At Dermo Direct, we use telehealth consultations to check your condition. We can prescribe treatments and update your seasonal skincare plan quickly, so you won’t have to wait long.

The telehealth advantage for seasonal eczema management

Dermo Direct’s telehealth platform offers unique benefits for eczema patients:

• Prompt access to dermatologists without months-long waiting lists
• Regular check-ins as seasons change to adjust treatment plans
• Prescription medications delivered to your door
• No need to travel with inflamed, painful skin
• Follow-up consultations from the comfort of home

Our specialists say that seeing a dermatologist once a year isn’t enough for Australia’s big seasonal changes. So, through telehealth, we can offer more responsive care as conditions shift.

Conclusion: A personalised approach

Every eczema journey is unique. Seasonal patterns impact many patients. Triggers and treatments can vary a lot. Working with dermatologists who understand your unique patterns gives you the best results.

At Dermo Direct, we help you understand your skin’s seasonal needs. We create treatment plans that adapt to Australia’s changing climate. Get expert dermatological care with our telehealth consultations, no matter where you are.

Don’t let seasonal changes dictate your skin’s comfort. Book a telehealth consultation with Dermo Direct today. Create a year-round plan to manage your eczema through all Australian seasons.

This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Talk to a Dermo Direct dermatologist for tailored advice on our telehealth platform.