7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Child's Eczema Under Control This Winter 

Children can develop eczema as early as a few months old. You might notice red, itchy patches of skin on their cheeks, arms, hands, or behind their knees. When the weather is cold and dry in the winter, flare-ups can worsen. 

The low humidity and cold temperatures, combined with indoor heating, can also dry out their skin, leading to more frequent and severe flare-ups. Eczema affects more than just your child’s skin. It can also affect their mood, sleep, and overall well-being. 

Watching your child struggle with the constant itching and discomfort is tough. That’s why Dr. Patricia Gomez-Dinger, a board-certified allergist at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA in San Antonio and Schertz, Texas, specializes in creating treatment plans to keep your child’s eczema under control, especially during the winter months.

However, you can make a few small changes at home to help protect your child’s skin and prevent flare-ups. 

Keep their skin hydrated

Keeping your child’s skin hydrated is the most important thing you can do to manage their eczema. After every bath, slather their skin in a rich, fragrance-free ointment like petroleum jelly while their skin is still damp.

Unlike lighter lotions, thicker ointments and creams hydrate their skin for much longer during the colder months. And don’t stop with one application per day. Apply it whenever you notice their skin looking dry or irritated. 

Skip the hot baths

It’s freezing outside, so it’s natural to want to warm your child up with a hot bath. Unfortunately, hot water can be one of the worst things for eczema-prone skin. It strips your child’s skin of its natural oils, leaving it even drier and more likely to become irritated. 

Stick to lukewarm baths, which are much gentler on the skin, and ideally keep bath time short — around 10 minutes. Also, be gentle when you dry them off. Rather than rubbing their skin with a towel, gently pat it dry to avoid irritation. 

Use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air

During winter, the air in your home can be just as drying as the air outside. Dry air may worsen eczema by pulling even more moisture from your child’s skin. That’s where a humidifier comes in handy; it adds moisture back into the air.

Choose their clothes carefully

Some materials used in winter clothes can aggravate your child’s eczema. For instance, while wool may be cozy, it can also be rough against their skin, causing irritation and triggering flare-ups. Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton are much more gentle on sensitive skin.

Watch out for certain soaps and detergents

Many soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can irritate eczema-prone skin. During the winter, when your child’s skin is already more sensitive, these products can worsen things.

Choose gentle, fragrance-free soaps and shampoos that are specifically developed for sensitive skin. At laundry time, opt for a hypoallergenic detergent that’s free of dyes and perfumes. And avoid fabric softeners, which often contain irritants. 

Use eczema-friendly creams and medications

Talk to your doctor about eczema-friendly creams and medications that can help manage flare-ups as soon as they happen. 

For mild cases, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can be effective in easing inflammation and itching. In more severe cases, we may prescribe stronger treatments to help manage their symptoms. 

Keep their stress levels low

Stress can make eczema worse. It’s not always easy to recognize when your child is stressed, but emotional distress can trigger flare-ups or make existing symptoms more severe. Pay attention to your child’s mood and try to help them relax when they’re overwhelmed.

At Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA, we understand how challenging it can be to manage your child’s eczema, especially in winter. Adding these simple strategies into your winter routine can soothe your child’s skin and even prevent flare-ups. 

For medical direction, request an appointment with us online or call your nearest office today.