Have you ever dealt with the itching and discomfort of eczema? It’s tough, right? Now, imagine dealing with this as a child in the winter. Cold, dry air makes it worse, making the skin even drier and more itchy. Trying to convince a little one not to scratch? Almost impossible. Additionally, our home heating systems are doing us no favors by sucking moisture from the air, making this already dry skin more likely to crack and bleed. It’s a real winter struggle for kids with eczema.
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a condition where the skin becomes dry, inflamed and itchy. It is estimated that one in 10 people suffer from atopic dermatitis, with the highest prevalence in early childhood. It is a chronic condition but tends to worsen, especially in children, during the winter months.
Eczema symptoms
Eczema can appear anywhere on the body and can vary from person to person. In babies, it tends to appear on the face, neck, scalp, hands and feet. In children, the disease settles where the skin tends to fold, such as the back of the knees, inside the elbows, back and sides of the neck, and around the mouth, wrists, and ankles.
The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:
- Dry, cracked skin
- Itching (itching)
- A rash on swollen skin, with a different color
- Small raised bumps on darker skin tones
- Firmed/thickened skin
- Crust and drain
- Dark skin around the eyes
- Sensitive and raw skin resulting from scratching
Why does eczema get worse in winter?
There are many reasons why atopic dermatitis tends to occur in cold weather:
Lack of protein that protects the skin
Reduced humidity & increased dust
“Heating indoor spaces strips the air of its natural moisture and dries the air. We also tend not to open windows in winter and dust mites accumulate in greater numbers in winter due to poorer ventilation. Dust mites are a known trigger for itchy, eczema-prone skin, and dry air contributes to the worsening of dry, itchy skin in children.’
Packing
While we always want our children to wear the appropriate layers to keep them warm in the winter, the friction and heat created by layers of clothing can cause dry skin to become even more itchy and inflamed, especially if any of these layers are made of wool.
How to treat and prevent atopic dermatitis
Treatment of atopic dermatitis includes both systemic and topical medications, as well as lifestyle and dietary changes.
Skin care & bath
“Parents should use gentle cleansers without added dyes or fragrances and avoid hot baths and showers. Applying a thick cream-based moisturizer or emollient to the skin within three minutes of bathing or showering helps lock in moisture and prevents skin from drying out.”
“I recommend Vaseline or Aquaphor for kids prone to dry skin. These emollients are unscented and help lock in moisture and create a barrier to protect the skin and prevent water loss. I tell parents to use thick creams rather than lotions during the cold, winter months, as lotions contain more water and tend to contain additives.”
“Bleach baths can be helpful in preventing superficial skin infections in eczema-prone children. Adding a quarter capful of bleach to the bath once a week is enough to rid the skin of potentially harmful bacteria and prevent skin infections such as ringworm.”
clothing items
“Parents should dress children in breathable cotton and avoid wool as this can cause eczema. I also encourage parents to dress children immediately after applying emollients for an occlusive effect.”
Medication
The most commonly used medications to treat eczema are corticosteroids. The latest corticosteroids are not only more effective than the previous generation, but also safer. Oral medications for the treatment of atopic dermatitis include immunosuppressants.
Diet
Increasing your child’s vitamin D intake may improve atopic dermatitis symptoms. Likewise, several probiotics can play an important role in reducing the rate of eczema.
“Nutritional interventions to improve eczema have been studied extensively, but results vary and there is still a lack of consensus among clinicians and researchers. Some studies point to vitamin D deficiency as a contributing factor to eczema. Additionally, probiotics have been lauded as a potential dietary intervention to improve eczema-prone skin.”
Daily observations
“Parents should consult a dermatology provider if their child’s eczema does not improve with these suggestions and daily use of over-the-counter emollients. Additionally, if a child loses sleep due to itchy skin, or if their skin bleeds or turns yellow and crusts, parents should seek medical help and consult a dermatologist.”
Take away
In conclusion, managing your child’s eczema during the winter months can be difficult, but with the right care and precautions, you can relieve their symptoms and improve their comfort. By understanding the causes of winter eczema flare-ups and implementing recommended skin care routines, clothing choices and dietary adjustments, you can make a significant difference in your child’s skin health.
The post Managing Your Child’s Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Winter appeared first on Apex Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center – Cleveland, OH Dermatology.
