Pool, sport, playing: which activities are ok for my eczema-prone child?

When your child is young, it is easier to keep their eczema under control because you have more control over their daily activities. However, as your child begins to walk, run, and play without you nearby, avoiding triggers and preventing outbreaks can be difficult. It begs the following questions: 

• Is it safe for my child to go swimming? 

• Is it safe for my child to play outside? 

• Is it okay for my child to get dirty? 

• What sports can my child participate in? 

• How can I avoid or reduce flare-ups when my child is active?  

Let Mustela's experts put your mind at ease if you've asked yourself any of these questions, or even if you think you might one day. We'll begin with one of the most frequently expressed concerns: the fear of being exposed. 

The fear of being exposed

The redness of the skin can bother children who are afraid of being singled out and exposed in front of their peers. However, this should not prevent them from participating in a physical activity. 

Parents must explain to the school teacher or sports instructor what eczema is, that it is not contagious, and what basic precautions must be taken. 

It must also be explained to the children that everyone is unique, and they must be assisted in accepting their differences. Eczema causes visible redness of the skin. However, this is just a difference, just as some people have blonde hair while others have darker hair, and so on. 

Sport can help children feel better about themselves

Participating in a physical sporting activity is also a good way for eczema prone skin to direct their attention outwards and thus become less preoccupied with their skin problems. 

Not only that, but de-stressing is easier, and concentration at school is improved. Sport, whether played for competition or just for fun, fosters team spirit. It aids in the development of a sense of belonging to a group and, as a result, the formation of one's own identity. 

In team sports, the children compete against their friends, while in individual sports, they compete against their own abilities. Endorphins, the hormones released by the brain during and after exercise, are also extremely beneficial in combating stress. 

In the water

Is your child a big fan of water? If this is the case, it can be difficult to keep your child away from puddles, hoses, and ponds. It can be difficult to say no to their enthusiasm. Who can resist those big grins and playful giggles, after all? The good news is that you don't have to anymore. Your child can swim like a fish at any time with a little extra care. 

Baby cleansing: rituals to be adopted for eczema-prone skin describes the best method for bathing your eczema-prone child.  

Allowing your eczema-affected child to swim in a pool or the ocean, on the other hand, is a completely different story. The chlorine in a public pool and the salt in the ocean can both be irritating your child's sensitive skin. 

Aside from the irritating chemicals, swimming can be a great activity for your eczema-prone child because it cools their core body temperature and prevents outbreaks. You only need to take a few precautionary measures as a parent to keep eczema flare-ups at bay. 

Apply an emollient product, such as Mustela's Stelatopia Emollient Cream or Mustela’s Stelatopia Emollient Balm, first. These specially designed products form a barrier between your child's skin and the surrounding air and water. This barrier keeps harsh chemicals, allergens, and irritants from triggering an eczema flare-up. 

Outside

Dealing with childhood eczema does not imply that your child must live in a bubble. They can run and play in the grass like any other child, as long as you take a few precautions first. 

When your child is playing outside, the primary concerns should be their sweat and the numerous substances they may come into contact with. Sweat and foreign substances can both cause an eczema flare-up faster than you can say, "Did you have fun, sweetie?" 

Sweat contains trace amounts of chemicals such as ammonia, urea, and salt, which can play a significant role in causing a breakout. These chemicals, combined with the heat that causes sweating, can irritate your child's skin in just a few minutes. What can you do to keep your child from sweating? The best solution is to choose activities that are both relaxing and entertaining, such as marbles, bocce, hide-and-seek, and treasure hunting (just to name a few). 

You can also keep your child inside during the hottest part of the day to avoid sweating. Allow your child to play outside in the early morning or late evening, but avoid the midday sun if possible. 

As previously stated, foreign substances are a significant eczema trigger. Grass is abrasive and prickly. Dirt, well, it's dirty. And the sun can be so strong that it can burn sensitive skin almost instantly. 

Apply sunscreen and an emollient product before taking your child swimming to prevent these environmental factors from becoming an issue. The sunscreen protects your child's skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, while the emollient product protects against foreign substances that can irritate the skin. 

What sports should you choose

Basketball, football, volleyball, dancing, athletics: these are all activities that require a lot of energy and can make your child sweat or even suffer heatstroke. And don’t forget the intense outdoor games with his friends: races, cat-and-mouse, somersaults, and so on.  

In order to keep your child’s exercise fun, you can: 

Before 

• Applying a moisturiser or emollient to the skin before participating in sports aids in the formation of a protective barrier. 

• Avoid intense exercise during acute episodes of eczema flare-ups to avoid exacerbating the development of redness. 

• Choose sports that allow perspiration to evaporate properly – avoid, for example, fencing outfits. 

During 

• Wear appropriate cotton clothing (buy one size up) or sports clothing. 

• Do not engage in sports in direct sunlight. 

• Make use of a mineral water spray and remember to drink (in small amounts) while exercising. 

• Sweat should be wiped away with a wristband or a soft towel, not your t-shirt. 

After 

• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of mineral water. 

• Wait a few minutes before jumping into the shower because the body starts to sweat a little after exercising. 

• Shower with a large amount of clear lukewarm water (and stay in the shower for 30 seconds) and a soap- and fragrance-free shower gel such as Mustela Stelatopia cleansing gel. 

• Using a soft cotton or microfibre towel, pat the skin dry without rubbing.