CLOTHES AND ECZEMA
Does it really matter what you were If you have eczema?
Did you know that some clothes do very important jobs? Firefighters wear special uniforms that protect them from hot flames. Lollipop people have bright jackets so the cars and traffic can see them easily. Astronauts wear spacesuits that let them breathe when there’s no air!
Some people have a kind of itchy skin called eczema (your doctor might call it atopic dermatitis). You can get eczema on your face, on your hands, or anywhere on your body, and it can sometimes feel quite irritating, so it's good to know how to avoid flare-ups. If you have eczema you probably use an eczema cream like to calm it down, but your clothes need to do an important job too – they need to help keep your skin feeling happy.
To do just that, here are our top 6 tips for “what to wear”:
TIP 1: DON'T WRAP UP TOO WARM
IN WINTER
Sweat is one of the eczema triggers
When it’s cold out, parents often tell their kids to wrap up warm. But if you wear too many clothes, you can get all sweaty. When sweat stays on your skin for too long, it can make your eczema get worse – and that means lots of itching! Make sure you’re warm enough but try wearing a cotton t-shirt under your sweater so you can take a layer off if you get too warm.
TIP 2: COTTON IS YOUR NEW BFF
Scratchy fabrics and synthetics can cause an eczema flare-up
Skin with eczema loves fresh air, so be sure to choose clothes that let it breathe. The best material to let plenty of air in is called cotton. It’s nice and light too so it also helps stop skin from getting too hot. Ask your parent to check the labels on your clothes to see if they are skin-friendly cotton. Wool and synthetics are to be avoided!
TIP 3: WEAR SHORTS AND A T-SHIRT
IN SUMMER
Sunshine and fresh air are an excellent part of your eczema treatment
When the weather is warm and sunny, it’s fun to wear light clothes like shorts and a t-shirt and this helps your skin stay fresh too. Try not to feel embarrassed about letting people see your eczema. We are all different, and people have all kinds of marks and splotches on their skin! A little bit of sunshine can really help your eczema, so be sure to have lots of fun outside in the fresh air.
TIP 4: SAY NO TO TIGHT CLOTHES,
SCRATCHY TAGS AND SEAMS!
To avoid an eczema flare-up, it helps to let your skin breathe
Tight clothes will rub and make you feel super itchy. Wear looser clothes that let your skin breathe. Another good tip is to cut any tags or labels off, and you can even cover thick seams with silk to stop them from scratching!
TIP 5: THE BEST WAY TO WASH YOUR CLOTHES
Chemicals in clothes and laundry powders can cause skin rashes that itch
New fabrics sometimes contain itchy chemicals, so always wash your new clothes before you wear them. Additives in laundry detergents can also be eczema triggers, so ask your parents if they could please use washing powder that’s non-biological, fragrance-free, and dye-free. The same goes for fabric softeners. For drying your clothes, towels, and bedding, use a tumble drier if possible as that makes clothes softer and less scratchy.
Tip 6: Pay attention to your PJs
Light cotton pyjamas will help to minimise eczema itching
When you think about it, we spend a lot of time in bed. Up to 10 hours a day, in fact! So it’s important to think about what pyjamas you wear. Just like your daytime clothes, the best PJs are light and made of cotton. Some pyjamas have scratchy labels and seams - which never puts skin with eczema in a good mood - so try wearing them inside out. You might even start a new fashion in your family ☺
We hope these tips will help you pick clothes to keep your skin in tip-top shape.
Click HERE to learn more about how to avoid eczema flare ups at school.
