Lifestyle Changes to Help Reduce Eczema Flare-Ups

About one of every 10 children have eczema, which is an itchy skin problem. So, if your child suffers from it, they aren’t alone. 

Our board-certified professionals at Neighborhood Pediatrics in Shenandoah, Texas, are eczema specialists who offer guidance and effective solutions to help heal your child’s issue.

Let’s first take a moment to understand what eczema looks like.

Symptoms of eczema

When your child begins to develop eczema, you might notice they have dry, red, itchy patches that become inflamed. They also might start to scratch certain areas on their body, which can become severe at times. 

If your child scratches often, they can develop blisters that ooze and then crust. If the scratching continues for months without treatment, their skin can become rough and leathery and even turn darker.

The good news is — you can help your child play a proactive role in reducing flare-ups.

Solutions for your child’s flare-ups

Your child can have a personal investment in reducing their eczema flare-ups. Here’s how:

Diet

Surprisingly enough, what your child eats affects their eczema condition. You can create a healthy, nutritional diet for your child that can strengthen their immune system and change their symptoms. For example, we might suggest a diet that eliminates certain things, like high-fructose energy drinks, that could possibly be a culprit to your child’s condition.

It’s best to start young during their breastfeeding years. Studies show that you can lower your child’s health risk when giving your child four to six months of breastmilk.

Exercise

Children love to play, but sweating can irritate their eczema, so you don’t want to let them get overheated. Do your best to help your child play or exercise in climate-controlled environments. 

Swimming is a great way to let them burn off energy without causing inflammation to their skin. Just be sure to wash their body immediately afterward, and use moisturizing lotion when they’re dry.

Protect their skin

Options for keeping your child’s skin protected include olive oil, coconut oil, and moisturizers that aren’t abrasive to their skin.

When they bathe, make sure they take short baths or showers in warm water instead of hot, and only use unscented soaps.

You can also make sure your products are recommended by the National Eczema Association (NEA).

Home environment

You may not realize that your home can have triggers and irritants that cause flare-ups, so learning what induces problems is important. Triggers might include perfumes, colognes, and cigarette smoke, so keep your child away from them as much as possible. 

You should also use 100% cotton towels and sheets, and be sure to wash them and your child’s clothes in fragrance-free detergent.

Humidifiers are also a good choice to put in your home. They push moisture out into the air, which can decrease eczema symptoms. 

Treatments

If your child’s eczema needs medical attention, we can prescribe oral medications or creams to improve the condition of their skin. We can also treat affected areas with topical medications and moist bandages.

To learn more about how to help protect your child from eczema flare-ups, book an appointment with our team. Call or use the online booking tool today.