Dry Winter Air Means Itchy Flaky Cranky Kids- Here's What You Can Do!
It's that time of year- the heat is on indoors, and the humidity in our homes takes a nosedive. Kids (especially those with a history of eczema) start getting itchy, scaly, cracked skin. Ouch! We all want to minimize the amount of medication we apply to our children's bodies, so try these these quick tips first: 1. lukewarm baths/showers, no greater than 10 minutes 2. pat (don't rub) dry with a towel that is free of fabric softener 3. immediately apply an emollient - a ceramide-containing cream all over the body in the AM (Cera/ve, Mimyx, Atopiclair are all good choices), and don't skimp on the petroleum jelly at bedtime (who cares of they're a little slippery?) 4. keep the ambient humidity in your home between 40-50% 5. turn down the heat! For most cases of dry winter skin, the above is enough to keep a bad eczema flare at bay. However, if your child's skin does flare up, don't be afraid to use the topical anti-inflammatory ointments (they work better t...