Ten ways to help your baby’s eczema in the heat of summer
Ten ways to help your baby’s eczema in the heat of summer
The heat of Summer can trigger eczema flare ups and if the temperature, weather and climate trigger your child’s eczema, this time of year can be really challenging. Here a few tips to help get you through the heat of Summer when your child has eczema and itchy, dry skin and hopefully lessen flare ups and soothe the itch.
These tips in conjunction with an eczema moisturiser and a physical sunscreen with SPF50 will ensure your bub’s skin is hydrated and flareups are reduced as much as possible!
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Keep drinking water as well as eating hydrating foods
Keeping your child’s fluids going will lower their core body temperature which means they will stay cooler and there will be less heat in the body to travel to the surface of the skin. Once heat gets to the surface of eczema skin it becomes trapped and doesn’t escape from the body as easily. This makes the skin, hot, itchy and bothered. Ice blocks are also a great way to increase fluids and also the coldness is a bonus. Being aware of hydrating foods and increasing these in your child’s diet can also help.
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Store your moisturiser in the fridge during Summer
Sticking to your regular skincare routine to keep the skin nourished and strengthen the skin’s barrier is so important through Summer. Storing your eczema moisturiser in the fridge so it’s refreshing when applied to the skin and has a cooling sensation is a must during Summer.
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Use a cool compresses on the skin
Hot skin is itchy skin and so much of the body’s heat is trapped at the skin’s surface. Taking away the heat at the surface of the skin can reduce the need to itch and stop the itch, scratch cycle in its tracks.
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Wear loose, cotton clothing
The skin needs to breathe to be able to keep cool. Cotton is a breathable fabric and wearing loose clothing means the heat doesn’t get trapped at the surface of the skin causing itch and irritation.
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Patch test sunscreens and find one which is suitable for your child’s skin
Finding a suitable sunscreen when your child has eczema is often a case of trial and error. Often natural zinc sunscreens cause less irritation for eczema skin. Our natural sunscreen is a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide which is a non-irritant and is SPF50. Patch test first before applying to the entire body and be aware of the ingredients.
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Soak a singlet in cool water, wring it out and wear it
This idea is particularly good if you have just come home from being out in the heat of the day because it is a quick way to decrease the body’s core temperature and take away surface heat from the skin. When you take the singlet off moisturise the skin straight away.
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Cool baths with itchy baby co bath soak
Cool baths will bring relief to the skin’s surface and also not raise the body’s core temperature. Adding itchy baby co bath soak to the bath will cleanse the skin taking away any irritants sitting on the skin’s surface and also add moisture, hydration and nourishment to the skin.
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Swimming in both salt and chlorine can reduce bacteria on the skin
Bacteria loves dry skin and skin infections are very common with eczema. Both salt and chlorine can reduce the amount of bacteria sitting on the surface of the skin, which is just waiting for a vigorous scratch to break the skin’s surface and jump in and cause infection. Just make sure you rinse the skin straight after swimming and apply moisturiser.
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Play in the shade to reduce sweating
This will help to lessen any sweat which when it sits on the skin can cause irritation. If your child gets sweaty gently dab off any sweat sitting on the skin’s surface.
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Sleep cool in cotton pyjamas and use only cotton bedding
Sleeping in cotton pyjamas and making sure your child isn’t sleeping under too much bedding will let the skin breathe and stop heat being trapped at the skin’s surface which will hopefully lead to a better night’s sleep.
This blog post was brought to you and your family 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.