WINTER eczema exIt Statistics suggest that one in three Aussie kids suffer from eczema and up to one million Australians have been affected by eczema at some point in their lives. The Australian government recently announced a $270 million subsidy for Australians over the age of 12 who suffer from severe eczema and have not responded favourably to topical creams and ointments. However, for children aged 12-and-under who are not covered by the subsidy, thankfully there are a range of easy-to-follow skincare tips and routines that can potentially help to minimise the incidence and severity of eczema flare ups. President of the Eczema Association Australasia Inc EAA, Cheryl Talent, says, “If your child suffers from eczema, you may see an increase in symptoms as we enter the cooler months, including intense itching, dry and cracked skin, and even infection. This makes it a good time to try something different for your child’s skincare routine. While there is not yet a cure for eczema, good management is achievable using prescribed treatments and suitable skincare products. It is now widely recognised that constant moisturising of the skin helps to maintain the skin barrier and promote healing.”
Winter flare ups More than half of all eczema sufferers experience flare ups related to environmental and physical triggers, with change in weather being the biggest issue for most of them (72%). With winter fast approaching, cold and dry weather can sap skin of essential moisture and may cause serious issues for skin that is already compromised. Itching and inflammation can also lead to a breakdown in our body’s main line of defence, our protective skin barrier.
40
Tips for managing eczema whilst in the cooler months The EAA and Childs Farm, which is a proud Gold member of the Eczema Association Australasia (EAA), have jointly compiled a list of 10 tips for protecting your child’s skin throughout the cooler months:
1. Moisturising is key Liberally apply moisturiser to your child’s skin whilst it is damp (after a shower or bath) to help seal in the moisture from the water. Regular moisturising of the skin is absolutely essential to managing eczema. Ask your Pharmacist for samples of different products so you can always carry moisturiser with you. If you haven’t tried them before, a patch test is always recommended before using any new products. One of the EAA’s Gold partners, Childs Farm, is an option worth considering. Childs Farm uses naturally derived ingredients and essential oils to produce a range of mild, kind and delicioussmelling toiletries. The entire range is suitable for sensitive skin and suitable for skin that may be prone to eczema.
2. Avoid over-washing your hands Children’s hands can become dry, chapped and cracked during the cooler weather. Although we have been encouraging hand-washing during COVID, over-washing or scrubbing too hard can cause the skin to dry out and crack. Find a soap-free hand wash for your kids to use and teach them to apply moisturiser liberally after washing their hands. If their hands do become dry, use moisturiser before bedtime and have them wear cotton or bamboo gloves while they are sleeping to help seal in the moisture.
