The days of sleeping in and afternoon swimming have come to a close. As you prepare your children for a great school year, you are probably scheduling haircuts, shopping for back-to-school supplies, and even getting in that routine checkup at the dentist. However, in your haste to get your kids looking and feeling their best for school, don’t forget about their skin.
At Olansky Dermatology Associates, we tend to see skin conditions flare up for children and teens during the first part of the school year. Here are a few things you can do to make sure their skin health doesn’t disrupt their ability to have a positive and comfortable start to the new school year:
Buy smart skin care products
As you stock up on shampoo, lotions, and soaps for the school year, make sure you are putting the right products in their bathrooms. If your child has a history of sensitive skin, it is important to purchase products that are labeled “hypoallergenic”. Avoid additional fragrances.
Your teen with eczema may want to smell nice, but the perfumes and scented lotions will pose a major threat to his or her skin. Itching, burning, and dryness can be a real distraction while trying to learn in a classroom setting. As always, if you are unsure about which products are best for your child’s skin, make an appointment to see us!
Watch for new rashes or sudden itching
It is not uncommon for children to go to school the first few weeks and develop a new rash or area of skin irritation. This may be contact dermatitis from exposure to triggers in a new environment, a fungal infection from a locker room, or viral skin condition such as molluscum or warts.
Don’t assume your child’s rash will go away on its own. Let a dermatologist examine it and make a proper diagnosis. If it is contagious, you’ll need to take proper measures to avoid spreading to other classmates.
Control teen acne
If you have a middle schooler or high schooler, the most common skin condition you’ll face (and battle) is acne. However, the sooner you get acne under control, the less likely it is to scar your child’s self-esteem. You can help your child through these difficult years of adolescence by investing in the right acne treatment.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so don’t fall victim to the latest infomercial on teen acne. The best strategy is to visit your dermatologist. We can recommend a customized treatment plan that can tame acne as well as prevent unsightly scarring. This may include prescription medication as well as a change in diet or special cleansing products.
Keep using sunscreen
While you may not be greasing up your child for a day at the pool any longer, the sun is still out and quite strong as your child heads back to school. Although they are likely to spend most of the day inside the classroom, most kids still break outside for recess, PE, or to change classes. Therefore, make sunscreen application part of their morning routine for a few more months. Even just one sunburn as a kid can increase your risk for skin cancer later on!
Have concerns about your child’s skin as they start back to school? Let us help. Schedule your appointment at Olansky Dermatology Associates in Atlanta. We treat the entire family, from children to adults.
