Playing Outside with Eczema and Allergies – Tips for Parents!

Spring is here and Summer is vastly approaching. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and this beautiful outdoor weather is screaming for your little one to run outside and play! If your Itchy Warrior is anything like my son, he jumps out of bed as soon as the sun rises, and he is ready for outdoor play. He absolutely LOVES being outside! But if your child has eczema and suffers from seasonal allergies, as a caregiver, this may bring on a bit of anxiety. I know for me it used to! But luckily, I have found with a bit of advanced planning, you and your Itchy Warrior can enjoy this beautiful weather and have fun in the sun!

Even though my son suffers from eczema and seasonal allergies, my goal is always to ensure he has a life that is as normal as possible, and I do not hinder him from enjoying his childhood. So, if your child is as active as ours, check out these tips below to ensure your baby can safely enjoy playing outside and of course minimize any “mommy anxiety!” Oh and dads…you too…but we all know how ya’ll do!

 

Tips for Enjoying Adventure in the Sun!

• Give Allergy Medicine in the Morning – If your Itchy Warrior suffers from seasonal allergies or hay fever, be sure to give the allergy medication in the morning, at breakfast and before their day begins. We have found that this works best for us, as it allows his allergy medicine to begin working prior to him heading outside into the environmental elements (i.e., pollen, ragweed, grass, smog).

 

• Moisturize the Skin – Moisturizing the skin is critical to preventing a breakout. Leaving the skin too dry can initiate a flare-up, as it causes the skin to become irritated and itchy. Moisturizing regularly also ensures that the skin is protected from environmental elements that can lead to a flare. We typically moisturize our son’s skin twice a day (three at the most) to keep his skin moisturized and to minimize breakouts.

 

• Generously Apply Sunscreen 15 Minutes Before Outdoor Play – Apply sunscreen generously to all sun-exposed skin, including lips, nose, ears, neck, hands and feet at least 15 minutes before your little one heads outside. This gives the sunscreen time to penetrate the skin and effectively protect the skin from the sunrays. If your son has a low haircut or your daughter has cornrows/braids, be sure to apply sunscreen on their scalp to avoid sunburn or have them wear a hat if you do not want to ruin their hairstyle. Also, do not to apply sunscreen on damaged or broken skin. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.

Remember! Choose a UVA/UVB Broad-spectrum sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF, mineral based, allergy and alcohol free, and has the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance™ on the bottle.

 

The National Eczema Association has a Seal of Acceptance™ program that evaluates product ingredients and testing data to determine if a product is suitable for those who are living with eczema.

 

• Dress in Layers – To avoid triggering an eczema flare or sparking an allergy attack, make sure you are dressing your little one appropriately for the weather. Dress your child in layers to prevent overheating and avoid tight fitting clothing and itchy fabrics.

 

• Have Insect/Mosquito Repellants On Hand – These mosquitos are literally out here for blood!!! To protect your baby from insect bites, such as those annoying mosquitos, be sure to have a good insect repellant on hand. Choose an insect repellant that caters to sensitive skin and be aware of products that contain DEET. DEET can irritate children with sensitive skin and may create issues for those who suffer from eczema. We personally use an insect repellant with at least 20% Picaridin, as it is just as effective as DEET and is a great alternative for sensitive skin.

 

• Limit Exposure During Peak Sunlight – To avoid over-heating and excessive sweating, which can trigger a flare, limit your child’s exposure to direct sunlight between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00p.m. in the hot spring and summer months.

 

• Remove Clothing Immediately After Outdoor Play – Remove outdoor clothing immediately after playing outside. We actually try to remove our son’s clothing in the garage before bringing him back inside. Because your child has been exposed to the environmental elements outside, removing contaminated clothing will prevent those same elements from entering your home and is a proactive way to combat allergic reactions later.

 

• Bathe After Outdoor Play – It is important that you wash away the pollen and other environmental elements associated with Spring and Summer, as it will prevent the skin from breaking out and will minimize reactions related to seasonal allergies. Also be sure to moisturize the skin immediately after bathing (within three minutes is a good rule of thumb).

 

Enjoy, and Have Fun!!!

I hope this information was helpful as you and your Itchy Warrior embark on your outdoor adventures this season. Enjoy, relax, and have fun in the sun! You got this!