How to Cope With Eczema in Winter

This time of year, wind, snow, and cold can wreak havoc on our skin. It’s especially challenging for those with eczema. So how do you ensure that your child is comfortable during the winter? Read on for some tips from the National Eczema Association.

1. Manage the temperature whenever possible - Even people who don’t have eczema find that their skin feels itchy at the end of the day or soon after getting out of bed in the morning. Why is this? Well, their skin is reacting to a sudden temperature change despite the fact that it wasn’t exactly obvious to them. Think of when you enter a warm house on a cold day. That sudden increase in temperature often contributes to feeling itchy. This is why skin care experts recommend maintaining an even skin temperature as much as possible. At home, keep each room at a constant, comfortable temperature. It’s a good idea to program the thermostat so that when your son or daughter gets home from school, the temperature is cozy, but not too warm. Lastly, be sure that they bathe or shower in warm water only.
2. Control humidity levels - Keep in mind that low humidity can extract moisture from the skin and make atopic dermatitis worse. Plus, plummeting temperatures lead to drops in air humidity as well. What makes things especially tricky here is that your child’s school probably has the heat cranked up to a high temperature on bitterly cold winter days. So what’s your plan of action here? To start, invest in a good humidifier. There may not be scientific evidence that humidifiers help those with eczema, however, your child may find it to be helpful. Feel free to find a small enough humidifier to put in your son or daughter’s room.
3. Moisturize regularly - A sound moisturizing routine will help your child’s skin stave off the harsh winter elements. Just know that trial and error may be needed to really see which product works best. You might find that a heavy-duty ointment works better than a cream. Remember that moisturizing during the winter months keeps your child’s skin barrier intact.
4. Be cautious about infection - People with eczema have a lot more staph bacteria on their skin than others. Not surprisingly, this makes them more prone to infection. It doesn’t help, either, that cold and flu infections occur more frequently this time of year. So don’t forget to remind your child to use tissues when they have a cold and to wash their hands after sneezing and coughing.
5. Wear eczema clothing - Hats, scarves, and gloves may keep your child warm on cold days. That said, most of these accessories are made from wool, which can scratch and increase itching. At Soothems, we offer a wide selection of eczema clothing that’s made to keep your child comfortable in any season. Our team has everything from eczema mittens and eczema gloves to eczema suits and eczema sleeves.