The majority of children with atopic skin improve in the summer thanks to the sun and the low temperatures subside, heating is turned off and febrile processes are scarce. However, in the warm seasons other factors may influence to trigger new outbreaks of dermatitis in children with atopic skin. We should know how to take care of atopic skin in summer to prevent dermatitis and eczema from getting worse.
Although summer lends itself to forget the clock and to rest from the rigid winter schedules, we must maintain certain hygiene routines so that the skin of our children does not suffer during the holidays.
Summer and its inconveniences
As we said, some children suffer more dermatitis in summer than in winter. Several can be the causes of the appearance of eczema in the summer season.
- On the one hand, the air conditioning It dries the skin and helps to generate sudden temperature changes that are never beneficial for atopic skin.
- Besides, the excessive sweating It can also contribute to the appearance of new dermatitis outbreaks.
- Another important irritant may be the pool chlorine.
- Although seawater is generally beneficial, there are some atopic children that can be made worse by contact with the saltwater.
- If the hardness of water Our summer home is superior to that of our usual home and can also have a negative impact on the state of the skin of atopic children.
Before going to the pool
To protect our children's skin from irritants such as pool chlorine we can apply barrier creams between half an hour and fifteen minutes before bathing.
It is not necessary to apply the barrier cream throughout the body but only in areas where the child has or usually has eczema.
Repair showers
It may be convenient to increase the daily number of baths, or preferably showers, to two to eliminate the remains of chlorine, salt or sweat that can irritate the skin of our little ones.
The showers should be short, with warm water and it is not necessary to always apply gel or shampoo, just rinse the child's body with water or use specific products for atopic children.
When drying them we should not rub but soak the towel so as not to remove the layer of natural fat that protects the skin of our children.
Hydrate, hydrate and more hydrate
All hydration is low for a child with eczema. After each shower it is advisable to apply plenty of cream throughout the body and then leave the child naked or in underwear so that they do not sweat and the cream is well absorbed.
As for the ideal cream, there is no single answer. Each child has a cream to which he responds best and it may vary as he becomes resistant.
Finding the cream that works best for your child is a matter of trial and error. Consult your pharmacist for advice.
100% cotton only
In summer more than ever it is essential to dress our children with comfortable cotton clothes that do not irritate their delicate skin. Bed linen and towels must also be made of cotton. It should also keep the room and sheets fresh and airy.
Finally, we must not forget to remove any type of jewelry as earrings or chains in whose contact areas eczema often appear more frequently.
Now that we know how to care for atopic skin in summer hopefully this holiday we can get rid of dermatitis and eczema that annoy children so much and so helpless they make us feel like parents.
