The chronic skin condition, eczema, causes some very uncomfortable symptoms for children. From inflammation and redness to constant itching, dealing with these sensations can be particularly challenging for the little ones, and heartbreaking for the parents. As the adult in your home, creating an eczema-friendly space that minimizes triggers and supports your child’s skin health can be a way to provide relief. Below, we’ll explore practical tips to eczema-proof your environment.
1. Maintain Optimal Humidity and Temperature
In eczema-prone skin, where the protective barrier is compromised, certain environmental conditions can easily dry out and irritate the skin. These include elements like the wind, cold temperatures, high humidity, and pollutants.
There are a few steps you can take to create the perfect atmosphere for your little ones to thrive in. For example, keeping home humidity levels between 30 and 50% with a humidifier. It introduces moisture into the air and prevents the skin from losing hydration through evaporation.
You may ask, why not above 50%? That’s because such high levels of moisture in an indoor environment provides mold and bacteria with the ideal condition to proliferate. They are allergens that can trigger flare-ups too.
Apart from maintaining humidity levels at an optimal level, controlling temperature to prevent overheating and sweating is key to keeping symptoms at bay too. This can be achieved by dressing your child in comfortable and loose clothing or using the air conditioning. But take note not to cool the room down too much as cold environments can dry out skin.
2. Invest in Dust Mite-Proof Bedding
Dust mites are little pests that can exacerbate eczema symptoms. Whether it’s the creatures themselves or their enzymatic droppings, coming into direct contact with them can trigger skin reactions like redness and itching. Furthermore, they may cause a breach in skin defenses and result in a bacterial infection. In eczema-prone children, these effects may be amplified.
Investing in dust mite-proof bedding is one way to keep your environment free from these pesky bugs. They serve as a barrier to prevent dust mites from settling down in your child’s bed and make it easier to keep mattresses and bedding accessories sanitary. Regularly washing your sheets in hot water can also help eliminate dust mites.
3. Choose Gentle Cleaning Products
Now, when cleaning the fabrics and surfaces in your household, certain cleaners you use may contain harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. Moreover, some of them may even release fumes dangerous to your health. It can be difficult to identify and avoid harmful ingredients when you’re shopping for these cleaning solutions. To make the purchase process easier, simply look out for organic, hypoallergenic, or fragrance-free labels.
Besides cleaning products for the house, personal hygiene cleansers your child utilizes should be kept gentle too. After all the cleaning effort put into creating an allergen-free home, the last thing you want is for your soaps to dry out and irritate your child’s skin even more. We recommend choosing a body wash for sensitive skin to prevent this from happening.
4. Moisturize After Every Wash
Reapplying a moisturizer after every wash may sound troublesome, but trust us, it’s the best thing you can do to help them keep their skin in tiptop condition. Whether it’s washing their hands before a meal or taking a shower after an activity, moisturizing within three minutes can lock in hydration and stop the skin from drying out.
Encourage your child to adopt this habit by keeping a fragrance-free eczema-relief moisturizer by the sink. Look for products free from parabens, steroids, and ethanol, and choose a low pH moisturizer to maintain the skin’s natural acidity. Yes, our skin’s pH level ranges between 4.7 and 5.75, which is mildly acidic. Without a balanced pH, our skin’s natural microenvironment will be disrupted, preventing healthy bacteria from growing well and causing our skin barrier to weaken.
5. Choose Soft and Hypoallergenic Fabrics
Opt for clothing, bedding, and furnishings made from soft and hypoallergenic fabrics like cotton or bamboo, which are less likely to cause irritation and allow the skin to breathe. Steer clear of wool and synthetic fabrics, as they can be abrasive and trigger eczema flare-ups.
Creating an eczema-friendly home environment for your child need not be difficult. By adopting these practices, you can provide your little ones with a comfortable haven that supports their skin health. Remember, consulting with a healthcare professional can provide personalized advice for managing your child’s eczema. So, do seek medical advice before making changes to your child’s lifestyle.
Looking for skincare solutions suitable for eczema-prone skin? AweMed Series carries a collection of eczema-relief products including moisturizers and body washes formulated by local dermatologists to help you better manage skin conditions. Find out more about our range here!
References
Humidifiers to help alleviate eczema symptoms. (2022, September 27). Levoit. https://levoit.com/blogs/levoit-blog/humidifiers-to-help-alleviate-eczema-symptoms
Stefanovic, N., Irvine, A. D., & Flohr, C. (2021). The role of the environment and exposome in atopic dermatitis. Current Treatment Options in Allergy, 8(3), 222–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40521-021-00289-9
National Eczema Association. (2022, March 14). Bathing and Eczema | National Eczema Association. https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/bathing/
Clinic, C. (2023, December 21). What is your skin’s pH and why does it matter? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-skin-ph
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