Nothing is worse than seeing your child itching miserably instead of enjoying the springtime weather outside. Eczema is a common and frustrating skin condition for many children. However, when environmental allergies are high, such as pollen, mold, dust mites or ragweed, eczema symptoms can go into overdrive. In fact, there is a very significant connection between chronic eczema and springtime allergies.
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that puts the body in nearly a constant state of immune response. This may cause a child to become overly sensitive to additional threatening allergens. In Georgia, we are still experiencing high levels of springtime allergies, including those that result from pollen and spores. While some kids may have a runny nose or itchy eyes, eczema suffers may see a dramatic flare up in their skin condition. Patches of eczema may become larger, more irritating and harder to control.
The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to help your child get through allergy season with eczema, including the following:
- Stay out of the wind. The wind is your enemy during allergy season, as it carries pollen, mold, and spores directly to your skin and nasal passages. If the wind is blowing especially hard, stick to indoor play.
- Take note of when flare ups occur most. It may be that certain times of the day tend to trigger more response in your child. If so, avoid going outside during these times to reduce flare-ups.
- Talk to your doctor. Some kids benefit from anti-histamines or other allergy medicines during the spring. You may also speak with your dermatologist for how to treat and care for the eczema patches during this sensitive season.
- Eliminate any other allergens. The less allergens your child’s body has to fight off, the better off he or she will be. If you can’t remove outdoor allergens like pollen, then do your best to eliminate the ones you can. Depending on your child’s specific condition, it may be following a better low allergen diet or using certain cleansing products or detergents at home.
Is your child struggling to make it through the spring season with eczema? Make an appointment at Olansky Dermatology Associates. We offer comprehensive pediatric skin care, including the most proven therapies for childhood eczema.
