The combination of summer hot weather, outdoor playgrounds, sports, stuffy dusty classrooms and the stress of going back to school can combine to flare up that eczema you have worked so hard to keep under control.
Here are our tips for managing eczema in school age kids:
Keep up the methods that have worked over the holidays.
While getting kids back to school can cause added stress and it is easy to slip up on the good habits you gave developed over the holiday period, it is important to build what has worked into your school routine.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
Ensure that your child has applied an emollient moisturiser before school and has this on hand during the day.
Recommended: Hope’s Relief Moisturising Lotion for locking in moisture and maintaining healthy skin condition, Hope’s Relief Premium Eczema Cream for managing flare-ups and Hope’s Relief Topical Spray for quick relief (spray application – ideal for children who avoid having the skin touched).
Communicate with school teachers and staff
Talk to your child’s teacher about their eczema and what triggers or aggravates it. By establishing a relationship with your child’s teacher, you can discuss the skincare routine and any environmental or dietary triggers for your child’s eczema.
Make an Eczema Relief Kit
One you have spoken with your child’s teacher, provide a kit that they can have on hand which may include topical creams and lotions, non-irritating cleansing options, eczema sleeves or gloves.
Sun Protection
Choose a mineral-based sunscreen (usually titanium dioxide) which is often less irritating to the skin than chemical absorbers and apply after moisturising lotion before school and include in your eczema kit.
Stress Management
A recent survey conducted by the National Eczema Association (NEA) in early September revealed at more than 20% of parents and caregivers who responded indicated their children experienced bullying at school, during extracurricular activities or with friends because of eczema.
Talk to your child so that they fully understand about their condition. If they understand that eczema is not contagious, why it occurs and how to manage the symptoms, they are better equipped to confidently answer questions from their peers and avoid bullying or teasing.
Eczema flare-ups can also be triggered by stress and anxiety, so try to teach your child stress management strategies such as breathing techniques and get a feel for their concerns and worries, help alleviate some of them if you can and make sure they know that it is okay to ask for help.
If you are finding it difficult to control your child’s stress or eczema, make an appointment with your doctor who can talk to you about other support resources that can help.
For more information on the Hope’s Relief range of natural eczema products for all ages, click here.
