12 Lifestyle and At-Home Changes to Ease Your Child’s Atopic Dermatitis

Kids with atopic dermatitis have a problem with their skin's barrier. Gaps between skin cells let in allergens that irritate the skin. Hot water damages the skin barrier even more.

While kids should bathe daily, keep the water temperature low and the time short. Set the water temperature to lukewarm (between 100 and 104 degrees F). Showers and baths should last no more than five to 10 minutes.

Bathing in oatmeal may help reduce itching. If your child's skin is infected, ask the doctor about taking diluted bleach baths once or twice a week. To make a bleach bath, mix ¼ cup of bleach into a small bathtub filled with lukewarm water, or mix ½ cup of bleach into a large tub of water. Have your child soak from the neck down for five to 10 minutes. Then rinse them with plain water and then gently pat their skin dry.

Use products made for sensitive skin. The best soaps and cleansers have a pH below 5.5 and are free from dyes, alcohol, allergens, and fragrances. Products with the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance on the label are designed for people with AD.

Avoid bubble baths, as well as deodorant and antibacterial soaps. These products strip skin of its natural oils and dry it out even more. Warm water alone is enough to get children clean, but you can use a gentle cleanser in areas that tend to get sweaty and smelly, like hands, feet, and armpits.

Wash gently – no scrubbing. Use a soft washcloth instead of a scratchy loofah.

As soon as your child steps out of the bath or shower, gently pat their skin with a soft towel until it's damp but not fully dry. Within three minutes, apply a thick, fragrance- and oil-free moisturizing cream or an ointment like petroleum jelly to lock in moisture.

Give the cream a few minutes to absorb into the skin before you put on a wet wrap. Reapply moisturizer at least twice a day to prevent the skin from drying out or cracking.

Every child has unique allergic triggers. To figure out what's setting off your child's flares, keep a journal. Write down when they have symptoms and what they were doing at the time. The National Eczema Association has an app called EczemaWise that makes it easy to track AD triggers.

These allergens are common causes of flare-ups:

• Pollen
• Mold
• Dust mites
• Fragrances
• Wool and other itchy fabrics
• Pet dander
• Tobacco smoke 

On days when the pollen count is high, keep your doors and windows closed and don't hang clothes or linens outside. Brush pets often to remove extra fur and pollen, and don't let them sleep in your child's room.

Synthetic fabrics like polyester and wool irritate already irritated skin. Loose-fitting, 100% cotton clothes are a better option for kids with AD because the fabric is soft and breathable.

Wash your child's clothes before putting them on for the first time. You'll clean off any chemical irritants that could be on the fabric. Use a mild, allergen- and fragrance-free detergent. Don't add a dryer sheet, because some fabric softeners irritate skin. Run clothes through the rinse cycle twice to make sure the detergent completely washes away.

Dust mites and other allergens hide all over your house – in carpets, bedding, curtains, and furniture. Get rid of them by regularly washing all bed linens, curtains, cushion covers, and soft toys in water that's at least 140 degrees F. Tumble dry on a hot setting. Consider putting an allergy cover over your child's mattress and pillows.

Wipe down couches at least once a week. Vacuum carpets and rugs often. Use a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner with good filtration that won't release dust back into the air. Mop or steam-clean floors. Dust hard surfaces like tables, bureaus, and bookshelves (including the books).

Be careful with household cleaners. The chemicals in these products might irritate your child's skin even more. Try natural alternatives like white vinegar for cleaning glass, bicarbonate of soda to replace bleach, and washing soda for cleaning bathroom and kitchen surfaces.

AD is an itchy disease. When children itch, they scratch. Scratching damages the skin even more, leading to a scratch-itch cycle. More itchiness leads to more scratching, and so on.

You can tell kids not to scratch, but they won't always listen. To prevent skin injury if your child does scratch, trim their fingernails short and file them smooth. If the scratching continues even with short nails, put on light cotton gloves at bedtime.

AD itching gets worse at night. It's no surprise that up to 83% of children with AD have trouble sleeping. They have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep for the whole night, especially if their AD is severe or they're in the middle of a symptom flare-up.

Kids need between eight and 13 hours of sleep a night, depending on their age. Those who don't get enough sleep are more likely to have problems with mood, behavior, and school performance.

To help your child sleep longer and more soundly, try these suggestions:

• Encourage them to get into a sleep routine, going to bed and waking up at the same times each day.
• Keep their bedroom cool and dark.
• Consider adding a humidifier to their room when the heat is on. Be sure to change the water every day. 
• Sleep apnea and AD often go together. Look for signs like choking, snoring, or gasping for breath. If you hear them, take your child to a sleep specialist for testing. 
• Don't let them eat or drink anything with caffeine, such as chocolate or soda, before bed.
• Give your child a warm bath before bed. A bath is relaxing, and it can help moisturize the skin to prevent itching.

Scratching isn't the only way to irritate the skin. A sunburn also causes damage. The body responds to sun damage by producing inflammation, which causes more AD symptoms.

Before your child goes out in the sun, put them in a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective clothes, and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide, and those made for the face are less irritating than other types.

Heat causes AD flare-ups. Turn on the air conditioner or a fan to keep your home cool. A temperature of around 65 degrees is ideal.

Use a humidifier if needed to maintain a humidity level of 30% to 60%. This prevents mold from growing and keeps dust mites away. Keep your child indoors during heat waves or dress them lightly to prevent overheating.

Sweat is another skin irritant. Dress your child in breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics. Have them shower right after playing sports or exercising.

Give your child plenty to drink each day. Water adds more moisture to skin.

Stress is one of the biggest triggers of AD flares. If your child is stressed, have them try relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, exercising, and taking a walk outside are good stress busters. If these techniques don't help enough, make an appointment with a child psychologist, counselor, or other mental health provider.