Vacation and Skin Care for Children with Eczema
by Michael Liss
Eczema affects adults and children in different ways, so it is hard to predict how your eczema will behave on vacation. In general while on vacation, everyone is more relaxed and having fun and enjoying themselves. Some children find that heat can make their eczema worse, especially when they sweat, while others find that sun and salt water at the beach clears their skin. Everyone is different, and there are many things that may irritate the skin including wool beach blankets, cold winds on a ski vacation or very hot weather. Remember that a child with a lot of eczema covering most of their body may not be able to sweat as effectively or they may find that the sweat makes them itch. Dry heat and low humidity can cause problems for children with eczema, as do sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Emollients that are used in the hotter weather should be less greasy, which will make sufferers less hot and itchy. Water can irritate the skin. Yet, many children state that seawater actually helps their skin since saltwater may have a mild antiseptic action. However, put on their emollient before they swim and after they bathe, and remember sunscreen. When applying sun protection cream, first apply your child’s emollient and steroids, then 30 minutes later the sunscreen.
Posted by Dr. Jeffery Bienstock at National Eczema Association
