Espere’s Guide to Managing Eczema in Difficult Scenarios
Summer Holidays
Keeping children with eczema comfortable, safe and healthy during the summer can be a real challenge.
Stay in the shade
Shaded areas will not only help your little one to reduce the need for sunscreen but is also very important when trying to stay cool in warm weather. When not in the shade it is important to wear a hat and cover-up as much as possible to protect delicate areas of skin from harmful UV rays.
Eczema friendly sun cream
We should all aim to wear sun cream outside, even on cloudy
days. Unfortunately, this can be difficult for eczema sufferers as many common
sun creams contain ingredients that can cause reactions in sensitive skin, such
as parabens and fragrances. If travelling for a few days, be sure to create a checklist
of things to prepare before you go. It’s easy to forget things like ensuring
you have enough prescribed medications for your trip or packing unusual items
such as your own sheets and pillowcases if laundry detergent is a trigger. Keeping common areas such as the car, living room and your
child’s bedroom cool will help minimise skin irritation. DermaSilk TherapeuticClothing can help your child stay cool, even in warm places. It is made from sericin-free silk which is knitted so airflow is not restricted. This, unlike standard silk, allows free movement of air meaning overheating is prevented. It also has a greater ability to absorb and disperse moisture than cotton, making it a natural candidate for an atopic friendly fabric. Does your child’s eczema worsen in winter? Colder weather can aggravate eczema, extreme temperatures are a common cause of flare-ups. However, temperature isn’t the only reason eczema is triggered at this time of year. Ingredients that can trigger an eczema flare-up in some
individuals such as cheese, milk, eggs, wheat and nuts are used year-round but are particularly popular at Christmas. It’s important to make sure friends and family are aware of your child’s triggers and that these foods are kept out of reach of kids wandering hands. Festive outfits such as Christmas jumpers and dressing up clothes are often made from fabrics that irritate sensitive skin. If these items are unavoidable aim to dress your child in a protective base layer of
smooth fabric such as DermaSilk Therapeutic Clothing. With DermaSilk you don’t need to worry about overheating when dressing in layers thanks to the way the sericin-free silk is knitted, allowing airflow between the fabric and the skin. The needles on real Christmas trees can also be a trigger
for eczema-prone skin. The oil terpene found in some plants, including natural
Christmas trees can cause contact allergies. Artificial trees are a better alternative
but be sure to wash them down to remove any reaction-triggering dust. Many people overheat their homes in the winter. This reduces
humidity and dries the skin. Not what you want with an eczema sufferer around.
It’s still ok to have the heating on, but be careful not to turn the heat up
too much when it’s cold outside. Instead, set the thermostat at a cool,
comfortable temperature of around 20°C. Toiletries are a popular Christmas gift but can contain many
eczema-triggering ingredients that can dry out the skin. To avoid receiving
gifts that may go to waste, agree with friends and family to share wish lists
and create a list with your child that contains eczema safe products such as
specific toiletries and clothing that you know is safe for your child, toys or
even an experience day that you can enjoy as a family. Anxiety and stress are common triggers of eczema flare-ups.
This is because when we experience a stressful situation, the brain sends a
distress signal which causes the body to enter fight or flight mode, prompting
the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. Too much cortisol can
suppress the immune system and cause an inflammatory response in the skin,
which is bad news for children with eczema. Identifying potential areas of stress in your child’s life
can be a good place to start in helping find ways to prevent it from having a
detrimental effect on their eczema. These may include: Exams, teasing or bullying, social situations Separation anxiety, moving home, changes to family
structure, loss in the family, family conflicts Animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood, the dark Talking It’s important to start by talking with your child to
understand as much as possible about their stress or anxiety. Reassure them and
show them you understand how they feel. Education If your child is old enough, talking to them about what
anxiety is and its physical effects can be a helpful step in teaching them to
recognise signs of stress and anxiety in themselves, so they will be able to
manage their symptoms or ask for help when they need it. Relaxation Practising relaxation techniques are an excellent way of
dealing with stress. These may include deep breathing, muscle relaxation,
mediation, visualisation, self-massage and rhythmic movement. Distraction To learn more about how DermaSilk can help with eczema visit
our website.Create a holiday checklist
Stay cool
Christmas and
Wintertime
Food Allergies
Clothing
Christmas Trees
Central Heating
Christmas Presents
Stressful
Periods
School
Changes to Home Life
Specific Fears and Phobias
Signs of Stress or Anxiety in Children:
How to Help
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