Preventing Eczema and Dry Skin Rashes in Winter
October 18, 2021
Winter is coming! And with it, dry skin and eczema flare ups. But keeping dry skin and eczema rashes in winter away doesn’t have to be so frustrating.
Today, I’m walking you through all the items I recommend for keeping baby’s skin healthy and eczema free during the coming colder months.
Preventing Eczema and Dry Skin Rashes in Winter
The key to fighting eczema really is prevention. And the best prevention is having a daily skincare routine with products you can trust to moisturize without irritation.
Here’s everything you need to prevent eczema flare ups.
1. Cool Mist Humidifier
I highly recommend a humidifier for everyone in the winter, but especially for anyone with dry, eczema-prone skin. A cool mist humidifier puts moisture back into the dry, winter air, helping to keep your child’s skin hydrated and healthy. If you have a child with eczema, a humidifier is just one more step that can help ease discomfort caused by a flare.
It is important when choosing a humidifier that you make sure it is a cool mist humidifier. The hot water vaporizers and hot mist humidifiers are a safety risk, as steam can burn you or your child.
There are many great humidifiers on the market, but my personal favorite is the brand Crane. Crane Cool Mist Humidifiers do not require a filter, and they are SO easy to clean! You can even run them overnight – up to 15 hours – to help relieve dry skin even while your baby sleeps. Crane Drop designs feature a 360° mist nozzle, making it easy to send the mist anywhere in your child’s room. There’s even an aroma tray in the base for a vapor pad – perfect for extra relief for tiny stuffy noses.
*Warning* DO NOT ADD ESSENTIAL OILS to your Crane Cool Mist Humidifier as the oils can cause cracks in the base leading to leaks.
2. Clean and Fragrance-Free Moisturizer
Many parents underestimate the importance of moisturizer and have a very difficult time figuring out what type of moisturizer to use.
There are a large variety of skincare options for preventing and treating dry winter skin, and it is important to figure out which one is going to work best for your child’s skin. Generally, creams are used for mild dryness, oils for moderate dryness, and ointments for severe dryness.
After bathing your child, moisturize immediately to help lock in the moisture still on the skin. One of my favorite moisturizers for babies, especially for eczema-prone skin, is Pipette Eczema Lotion. It really soothes irritation and itching while locking in moisture and comforting dry skin.
3. Chemical-Free, Fragrance-Free, Hypo-Allergenic Products
Chemicals, dyes, and fragrances can really affect children who suffer from eczema. Making sure you’re using hypo-allergenic products is imperative.
Make sure face wipes, baby wipes, diapers, lotions, laundry detergents, and even sheets, pillowcases, and pillows are all free from these harsh ingredients that can wreak havoc on your child’s sensitive skin.
4. Mineral Sunscreen
Many parents don’t put sunblock on their children during the winter months. It is important to remember that although it might not be warm out, the sun’s rays can still lead to sunburns.
While sun exposure, and Vitamin D in particular, may be good for treating eczema in children, too much sun exposure is never a good idea. Children with eczema may sunburn more easily, especially when using steroid creams to control flare-ups, so daily application of sunscreen is a must, even in cold winter months!
Final Thoughts on Preventing Rashes in Winter
Cold, dry air takes a toll on everyone’s skin, but children suffering from eczema need special attention during winter months.
So help ease their discomfort. Have all of these products on hand to moisturize the air and your child’s skin in the coming months.
~Dr. Katie
