Winter-Proof Your Baby's Skin: Effective Tips and Tricks to Treat Eczema in Cold Weather

Melting marshmallows over the open fireplace, slipping my feet into my favourite hot pink Ugg boots, the smell of a yummy casserole in the oven and… my toddlers' eczema flaring up. These are just a few things I'm thinking of as winter approaches, and yes, winter eczema is very much on my mind.

Why does eczema get worse in winter?

Winter brings cold, dry air, making it hard for your baby's skin to retain moisture. So it is even more likely that your baby's skin will become dry, itchy and irritated. Winter also means in and out of warm heating to outside windy weather. Going from warm to cold can shock your baby's skin, leading to a winter eczema flare-up.

How I manage my child's winter eczema flare-ups

These are a few things I do to help manage my toddler's winter eczema:

• Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise

Moisturise their skin first thing in the morning and straight after using our itchy baby co. bath soak after bath time. I also carry around the eczema moisturiser with me so I can use it if we are out in the middle of the day. If it's a daycare day, I pack the moisturiser in their bag and ask the teacher to apply it on their face, arms and legs at least once in the day and twice if they are spending time playing outside.

• Use a humidifier

Using a cool-mist humidifier will keep the air moist and helps to stop your baby's skin from drying. I use one in their bedroom and one in the central area where they play. It's essential to keep the filter clean of mould and dust.

• Avoid any known eczema triggers.

If you know of triggers that worsen your baby's eczema symptoms, be extra careful to avoid them. Being too hot affects my toddler, so I try to avoid using the heating in the car. I also try only to put my toddler in cotton clothes and layer him up rather than wearing heavy woollen fabrics, which irritate his sensitive skin. Any little thing you can do to avoid a flare-up is vital in dry weather.

And before we know it, winter and winter eczema will be over, and next, we will manage our baby's eczema in summer and try to avoid too much sun and getting too hot. But let's talk about this in a few months!

This blog post was brought to you and your baby with love from Julia and the itchy baby co. team x

Disclaimer: Information provided is of a general nature only, and you should always consult your medical professional.