My daughter has suffered from severe eczema for over 4 years now. When summer is coming it starts to show pretty badly on her skin. The hot weather and the high humidity we experience in South Florida make her skin flare. But after some years of living with this condition, we have learned how to manage it before it gets really bad. So, I would like to share with you some of the things we enjoy during the summer.
Baby, It’s Hot Outside
Sweating is a natural defense of the body to lower the temperature. However, for a kid suffering from eczema or with delicate skin, their own sweat irritates their skin and makes them itchy.
We usually avoid being outside during the hottest hours of the day. Some days it is hard to avoid, so if we have to be outside and we know she will be sweating we have plenty of water with us. Some to keep her hydrated and more to rinse her off. Always remember that it is important to apply some moisturizer and change into a new outfit. We also carry a portable fan anywhere we go.
What about swimming?
Going to the beach or to the pool is one of the most common and favorite summer activities. Even though we have a kid with really delicate skin, we try to enjoy as much of this as we can. So we plan and go prepared. Here are a few tips:
- Go to the pool or the beach really early in the morning or after 5pm in the afternoon.
- Use sunscreen. There are plenty of hypoallergenic brands on the market. Try a little bit in one spot before going to swim and see how your kid’s skin reacts to it.
- Always rinse the skin after swimming. This has been a key factor for us. When my daughter’s skin is in contact with salt or chlorinated water for some periods of time it actually makes her skin look better. But the crucial thing has been to shower with fresh water afterward. Then apply an emollient to lock in moisture.
The one really important thing, when going to the beach, is to try to avoid long periods of contact between the skin and the sand.
I know it is hard with kids, but we have had some really good results with those little blankets made especially for the beach. And as I said before, rinse the skin afterward.
What to Wear for Summer
To keep cool, try to wear 100% cotton which is great for eczema sufferers because of its softness. Believe it or not, the quality of the fabric helps a lot to keep skin irritation to a minimum. And we avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester that make the sweat worse and irritate her skin. And don’t forget to wash your clothes with hypoallergenic detergent and rinse them twice, to eliminate any residue of it.
I hope these few tips help you and your little ones to spend a beautiful summer break together and enjoy the outside activities, too!
