People often think of a child’s skin as soft and healthy, but dry, itchy skin is actually very common among young children and babies. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common cause of this skin issue in children. If your child has AD, you can help them manage it by helping them to avoid things that make them itchy.
Understanding What Triggers AD
AD causes dry, sensitive skin. Many things (or “triggers”) can irritate sensitive skin, causing it to become itchy or painful. This is called a flare-up. They can happen right away or even days after you’re exposed to a trigger.
Why Is It Important to Track My Child’s AD Triggers?
Identifying your child’s triggers takes time and patience but is very important for a good quality of life. Once you know their triggers, you can help your child form habits to manage them and avoid flare-ups. This helps kids to feel healthy and comfortable in their skin.
What Things Can Trigger Atopic Dermatitis in Children?
Hygiene products. Many products that you use in the bathroom or laundry room can cause flare-ups. This is because soaps, shampoos, bubble bath, baby powder, and baby wipes sometimes contain ingredients (usually fragrances or dyes) that can irritate sensitive skin.
To avoid this, shop for fragrance-free and dye-free products. Remember that fragrance-free means that no fragrances are added. This is different from unscented, which means that additional chemicals are used to mask odors.
Look for products marked with the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. Products that earn this seal are rigorously tested to meet standards for. You can find a list of products that have earned the seal on the NEA website.
Pool chemicals. Cleaning chemicals, especially chlorine, can dry out or irritate sensitive skin. To help prevent this, your child can put on moisturizing cream or ointment before they swim or play in the pool, and take a warm shower afterward.
Environmental conditions. Children with eczema are often very sensitive to changes in their environment. Extreme cold or heat, or even a sudden change in temperature, can cause a flare-up. Humidity is also important: Dry wintertime air can dry out skin, while dampness and moisture (including sweat) can irritate skin and make it itchy.
To help manage these triggers, keep your home at a comfortable temperature of about 68 to 72 F. Use a humidifier to set the humidity level of your home’s air to around 60%. Dress your child in layers so they can add or take off layers when they are hot or cold.
After spending time in hot weather or playing sports, your child should rinse off the sweat by taking a warm (not hot) shower. Afterward, they can pat themselves dry with a cotton towel and moisturize. Ask the doctor about whether your child should take an over-the-counter antihistamine before they play sports.
Pollution. Pollution in the air, including secondhand tobacco smoke, also can make atopic dermatitis worse. To limit your child’s exposure to airborne outdoor pollutants, check the Air Quality Index, which measures how much pollution is in the air. When it’s over 100, keep windows shut and limit outdoor play.
Air pollution inside the home can be as bad as what you’ll find outside. We spend more than 90% of our time indoors, so it’s important to keep the air in our homes as clean as possible. To do this:
- Don’t smoke indoors.
- Use a high-efficiency air filter with your HVAC system.
- Make sure appliances like washers, dryers, and stoves are vented to the outside.
- Cut down on your use of cleaning products, pesticides, and personal products with dyes and scents, such as soaps and perfume.
Airborne allergens. Many people with AD are allergic to things like pollen, dust, mites, pet dander, and mold. These irritants can trigger a flare-up, even if your child doesn’t have allergies.
To keep an eye on outdoor allergens, check your local weather report for pollen and mold forecasts. When there is a lot of pollen in the air, limit the time your child spends outdoors. When they come in for the day, they should take a warm shower and moisturize.
To deal with indoor allergens like dust, wash your child’s bedding weekly with dye-free, fragrance-free detergents. You should also dust regularly and use dust mite covers on your child’s pillowcases. It may help to remove rugs in your house if you have hard floors.
Food allergens. AD also has a link to allergies to milk, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, food dyes, and other ingredients. The rash could show up just where the food touches the lips or anywhere on the body. It can happen while your child is eating or afterward.
If the reaction is severe – your child is having trouble breathing – call 911 right away. If not, write down what your child ate and ask their doctor about testing for food allergies.
Drool. Drool (saliva) can irritate the skin around the lips. If you notice your baby or toddler drooling, gently dab their wet skin with a clean cotton cloth. Avoid rubbing the area, because friction can make AD worse. Ask your child’s doctor about using a thin layer of petroleum jelly to help protect the lips and other affected areas.
Clothing. Some materials, especially wool and synthetic (human-made) fabrics like polyester, can trigger AD. These rashes usually happen in areas where the skin touches tags or seams. Stick with 100% cotton, loose-fitting clothes, and cut off tags to cut down on irritation.
Stress. Stress can cause inflammation throughout the body and show up on your skin as rashes or hives. Teach your child how to cope with their emotions. You also can model healthy behaviors and look for support groups for kids with AD.
Viruses. Infections like the flu and common cold can cause eczema flare-ups. Teach your child about good hygiene habits and ways to head off infections:
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- Don’t touch your face, especially your mouth and nose, without washing your hands.
Also, stay up to date with flu shots and other vaccines.
How Do I Identify My Child’s AD Triggers?
It might feel overwhelming at first, but there are people and strategies that can help you navigate the journey.
- Find a doctor who has a lot of experience with atopic dermatitis and eczema. This could be a pediatrician, dermatologist (skin doctor), or allergist (allergy doctor). They can help you pinpoint your child’s triggers. Their insight makes a big difference: Kids who get care from an experienced doctor often have fewer symptoms.
- Keep a diary about your child’s AD. Whenever it flares up, write down what potential triggers your child might have encountered in the past few hours or days.
- Consider testing your child for allergies. Ask your doctor to check for lesser-known triggers like dyes and preservatives.
How To Manage Common AD Triggers
Once you have identified your child’s triggers, make a plan to manage them. This could include things like using fragrance- and dye-free products, avoiding certain fabrics, and moisturizing regularly.
Let teachers know about your child’s AD and their triggers. You can ask for accommodations like seating your child away from radiators and letting them stop to put moisturizer on when needed.
These habits might feel strange at first, but over time, they will become part of your daily routine. With patience and persistence, you can help your child feel healthy and happy in their skin.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: SimonSkafar/Getty Images
SOURCES:
National Health Service (U.K.): “Atopic eczema.”
National Eczema Association: “How to identify and control eczema triggers without losing your mind,” “How About Climate, Heat & Humidity?”
American Academy of Dermatology Association: “How can I find eczema triggers on my child’s body?” “How can I find indoor eczema triggers?” “How can I find eczema triggers outdoors?” “How can I find eczema friendly products?” “What can help a child manage eczema triggers at school?” “Stress: Is it a common eczema trigger?” “Can a child with eczema attend gym class and play sports?” “Will swimming in a pool trigger my child’s eczema?”
Boston Children’s Hospital: “Eczema.”
NYU Langone Health: “At-Home Therapies for Eczema & Dermatitis.”
National Eczema Society: “Household irritants and eczema.”
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: “Improving Your Indoor Environment.”
CDC: “Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu.”
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health: “Atopic Dermatitis in Children.”
