Choosing Clothes for Children with Eczema

Clothing is an unavoidable part of everyday life. There’s nothing that comes into closer contact with your child than their clothes, so if they suffer from eczema it’s crucial to choose clothing that won’t irritate their sensitive skin.

Material

Wool – Avoid wool completely. The short, coarse fibres will irritate skin. It also contains lanolin, an oil produced by sheep, which can inflame skin conditions.

Cashmere – Made from goat hair, cashmere can cause serious flare-ups in eczema sufferers. As a relatively heavy material, it traps heat which is a nightmare for your child’s itchy skin.

Synthetic Fabrics – Best avoided if you have a skin condition. They prevent the skin from breathing naturally and worsen the symptoms. 

Cotton – One of the most suitable fabrics for eczema sufferers, especially organic cotton. It’s soft, smooth and breathable, and organic cotton is free from any nasty chemicals that can irritate skin further. 

Silk – Silk is an incredibly soft fabric, and modern silk is free from sericin which can irritate sensitive skin. It’s ideal to support creams and lotions used on itchy, irritable skin.

Laundry

It’s always a good idea to wash new clothes before their first wear if your child is an eczema sufferer. Certain fabric finishes, used to make clothes look great in a shop, contain chemicals that can irritate the skin.

Avoid regular detergents as they contain chemicals that are skin irritants, and opt for natural detergents made for sensitive skin. It’s worth running an extra rinse cycle to make sure the soap has been thoroughly rinsed away.

Sizing

Make sure that clothes and sleepwear are the right fit. They should be close, without being too tight. Buying clothes a size too big to allow for growth is bad for eczema sufferers too – if the item is loose, it will move over the skin and catch any rough areas of eczema, causing discomfort.

 

Fashion should not be a deciding factor when choosing clothing for children with eczema. Instead consider the fabric and sizing, and ensure you look after the clothing carefully.

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Babies and Eczema

Eczema happens to most of us during our lifetime- but it is bothersome for both you and your baby when eczema strikes your little one. But it's not an ailment to worry about- The majority of children who contract eczema will grow out of it. Eczema, also known topic dermatitis, involves red rashes, scaly skin and dryness. In babies it commonly appears on the cheeks and the scalp, but it can spread to the arms, legs and chest. The rash is itchy and uncomfortable for the baby so we take a look at some of the best ways to treat eczema for baby.

Firstly, switch to fragrant-free washing powder, non-soap cleansers and shampoos and don't use fabric softeners. This will reduce irritating symptoms and will be softer on your baby's skin. Bathe your child daily in lukewarm water using mild soap and ensure you wash your baby towards the end of the bathing time, so he/she wont be sitting in soapy water for long periods of time. Once dried, apply a generous amount off moisturiser or emollient (an ointment that seals in the body's own moisture). This will help the skin keep from drying out and becoming itchy again.

Babies with eczema should be dressed in clothes made from natural materials- with plenty of room for the body to breathe. Don't dress your baby in wool or other itchy materials as this will irritate the skin further. To prevent inevitable scratching, which makes eczema worse, use soft sheets on your baby's bed, keep his/her nails short and put mittens on his/her hands.

Bleach can be used to treat or lessen the effects of eczema. Put two teaspoons of bleach into a full bath and wash your baby. Do  not wash the face with bleach- instead put petroleum jelly on the face to protect it. Over-the-counter remedies should be used for your baby's face. If these methods don't work then it is best to consult a doctor.