Given that children spend half of their day at school, it is crucial to ensure they receive the necessary support. Eczema currently impacts 20% of children in the UK, significantly affecting their quality of life. The unbearable itchiness often results in sleepless nights, difficulty focusing, and absenteeism from school.
Although eczema is usually easier to handle in infants, it can greatly affect the quality of life for school-aged children. It is essential to effectively manage eczema, particularly in a school environment where you can't be there to oversee things. With the right support, children can concentrate on their studies and have a good school day.
Understanding Eczema in Children
Eczema commonly impacts the flexor surfaces, neck, wrists, ankles, and hands in school-aged children. The primary symptoms consist of intense itching, dryness, and inflammation, resulting in disrupted sleep, irritability, and stress for both the child and family. Eczema may influence their focus, behaviour, and general confidence, especially in a school environment.
Key Areas of Eczema Management
The severity and persistence of eczema can vary, leading to different management needs. Effective management requires a holistic approach that addresses both the physical and psychological impacts of the condition. While often more manageable in infants, for school-aged children it can significantly impact their quality of life. Managing eczema effectively, in partnership with your child and school, is crucial to ensure children can focus on their education and get the most out of their time in school.
Preparing for School
To effectively manage eczema at school, it is important to prepare and implement additional support strategies to help children stay comfortable and confident all day.
Communication with School Staff:
Before your child starts school, it’s important to communicate with school staff about their specific needs. Arrange a meeting with the class teacher to discuss your child’s eczema triggers and skincare routine. This can be documented in an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) that outlines signs, symptoms, treatments, and emergency procedures.
Encouraging Independence:
Regular use of emollients and moisturizers is crucial. However, parents often face difficulties ensuring that their children maintain these routines during school hours. As we know, dry skin is a common trigger for eczema flare-ups. Maintaining skin hydration is essential to reduce itching and prevent the skin barrier from breaking down. Read our blog on moisturising for more information.
Encouraging your child to manage their eczema independently is essential. Teach them to moisturize their skin as part of their daily routine, just like brushing their teeth. This will help them handle their skincare needs at school more confidently. As school to allow breaks and privacy so that they can reapply moisturisers during the day, or take a break to cool off if needed.
Troubleshooting Common Triggers
School Uniform:
Uniforms can sometimes irritate the skin, especially those made from synthetic fibres or wool.
Synthetic clothing can also cause your child to sweat which can lead to increased itching and discomfort. Choose 100% cotton uniforms if possible. If synthetic uniforms are required, your child could wear thin cotton base layers underneath. Lightweight, breathable clothing to help regulate body temperature and reduce the risk of overheating.
Classroom Comfort
Classrooms and physical activities can also cause overheating and sweating, leading to eczema flare-ups. Ensure your child can sit near windows for better ventilation and takes regular breaks to cool down. Allowing children to take short breaks to apply moisturizer or take a moment to cool down can significantly improve their comfort and concentration.
For school trips, maintaining a consistent skincare routine during day or overnight trips is essential. Provide written instructions to ensure teachers are aware of your child’s needs.
Physical Education (PE):
PE activities, especially swimming, can aggravate eczema. Discuss with teachers the possibility of your child wearing cotton leggings and long-sleeved T-shirts during PE. Applying a layer of emollient before swimming, and allowing time to shower and reapply moisturizer afterward can also help.
Art and Craft Activities:
Materials used in art, such as paint and clay, can irritate the skin. Provide gloves with a cotton liner for your child to wear during these activities and ensure they wash their hands with emollient instead of soap. Harsh soap and detergents can trigger eczema symptoms.
Minimize exposure and use gentle, skin-friendly products, supplying these if you need to.
Classroom Environment:
Carpets and classroom pets can trigger eczema. A cotton blanket or cushion can help prevent irritation from sitting on carpets, and discussing alternative roles if your child is allergic to pets can prevent exposure.
Social Interactions:
Peer understanding and inclusion are crucial. Encourage your child to communicate openly about their eczema and involve teachers in educating classmates to foster a supportive environment. Charities such as Eczema Outreach and National Eczema Society offer School Education packs that can really help raise awareness and understanding in the school setting.
Conclusion
Effective eczema management in school-aged children involves everyone and ensuring a supportive environment at school. This approach not only improves their comfort and self-confidence but also enhances their overall school experience.
For more information on how to help your child manage eczema, check out our blog posts. At Skinakin we want to make life better for children with trusted products that give them some respite from uncontrollable scratching. Together, we can make eczema management easier and improve the quality of life for your child.
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