Tuesday, August 21, 2012

For the 20% of children with eczema, it is not only how an outfit will look, it is even more important to consider how an outfit will feel in order to avoid exacerbation of the skin. Recent surveys report that up to 80% of people of all ages with moderate-to-severe eczema feel self conscious in groups. Beyond the daily itch, the challenge with many young children is that there can be teasing by those around them, often unintentional as children will often point out what they perceive as different, without the understanding of empathy which often occurs later in their development.

Top ten things that a parent can do to help:

1. Understand ahead of time as much as you can about your child’s eczema, what some of the causes (triggers) are, how to deal with them through medication and equally important, avoidance of triggers when possible.

2. Speak with your child’s teacher and medical staff at the school. Let them know what your concerns are. Does the school use hand sanitizers, art supplies, etc., that your child may react to?

3. Choose clothing carefully, or have your child wear a protective silk eczema underclothing. Even a material against the skin as soft as cotton can look like a thornbush under a microscope. Avoid woolens.

4. Speak to you child and let them know they are not alone. There are a number of websites devoted to children with eczema. The more they understand, the more confident they will be.

5. If any of the triggers are diet related, ensure you know what foods are served at the school, and your child knows what to avoid.

6. Reduce early morning stress. Plan your mornings in advance to reduce the rush. Stress has been proven to increase levels of eczema. Use mattress and pillow encasings at night to block exposure to dust mites.

7. Teach your child to moisturize. There may be a need during the school day for your child to moisturize themselves and often school staff are unable to help. Teach your child proper technique and ensure there is a supply with them at school.

8. If teasing or bullying occurs, deal with it straight away by you or your child reporting to the teacher. It may be quickly resolved by the bully getting a true explanation of eczema, and knowing it is not contagious. If that does not resolve things, it should be treated the same as any other type of bullying.

9. Be prepared for possible days away from school. Having a plan for missed school days and keeping up with schoolwork from home simply makes sense.

10. There are thousands of websites that can provide valuable information. Search out sites that you can share with your child, but ensure that they are well established and credible.

With a bit of planning, speaking with teachers, understanding triggers, and the proper use of prescribed medications, those first few days of school can be a lot easier and happier.

Source: Dermasilk Clothing

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com