Environmental allergies and eczema
Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is characterized by an itchy, red rash —similar to the symptoms associated with allergic skin reactions. While environmental allergies typically don’t cause eczema, they can trigger a flare-up or worsen eczema by further irritating your child’s already sensitive skin.
Common irritants in a child’s environment can include pet dander, dust mites, pollen, cigarette smoke, and mold. Certain fabrics (such as wool) can also aggravate a child’s skin, as well as scented products (perfumes, dyes, etc.). Being in excessive heat or a particularly dry climate are also believed to be catalysts for eczema.
Another form of eczema — allergic contact dermatitis — occurs when your skin comes in contact with something you’re allergic to, such as a certain metal. Exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac can also cause allergic dermatitis.
What you can do
- Keep your home clean. Dust often and be sure to vacuum carpets frequently.
- Get rid of dust mites by washing bedding, curtains, and stuffed animals every 1-2 weeks in very hot water.
- Dust mites thrive in a moist environment, so keep your home’s humidity at below 50 percent. If it’s too high, you might need to get a dehumidifier.
- Wash clothes in a detergent that is made for sensitive skin and is fragrance free. The same goes for soap, gel, and lotions that are put directly on the body.
- Close your windows during peak allergy season in the spring and fall.
- In the winter, keep the air in your child’s bedroom moist with a cool mist humidifier.
- Don’t allow smoking in your home or around your child.
Takeaways
- While environmental allergies usually don’t cause eczema, they can trigger a flare up or worsen the condition.
- Common allergens include pet dander, dust mites, pollen, cigarette smoke, mold, and certain fabrics.
- Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with a substance and you have a direct allergic reaction to it.
- Dust often, keeping windows closed during allergy season and prohibiting smoking in your home to keep environmental allergens at bay.
I know I mentioned this before, my six-year-old has eczema, so I try to vacuum daily , and I take care of his clothes with special detergent, butter him up with his lotion and yes during the winter he needs a humidifier. We do not smoke, but I was wondering if having eczema can worsen a sunburn. Just a couple weeks he got his first sunburn and his skin got dryer than usual very fast. I haven’t seen his older siblings get the same reaction so I was just wondering if having eczema can make a sunburn worse than usual since his skin is already sensitive. I don’t know if I make sense.
Hi Carolina D.
Absolutely the sunburn can make the eczema flare and vice versa. For those parents who need to use topical steriod creams on the skin of your kids with eczema, it’s important to note that the skin will sunburn more easily than skin without steroids. Other variables associated with sun, namely chlorine pools, sunscreens, and mild dehydration can also make your child’s eczema flare!