Mini, my little three year old girl has eczema, which was a lil hard to explain to her just what this is, but now both myself and Mini have developed a solid routine to combat the worst of the symptoms. If dry, irritated and itch-happy skin is the problem, then what’s my solution?
THE TWO-STEP ROUTINE
First things first – take short, warm showers. I know, I know, when the weather is cold, all I want to do is fill my bathtub to the brim with the hottest water I can get, but sadly, taking a bath dries out the skin, and prolonged exposure to hot water, especially soapy hot water, does nothing but further strip the skin of its natural protective skin oils. So, instead of an hour-long bath or steamy shower, opt for a quick (10 minute max) shower in warm water. It might not be as cosy, but focus on the long-term benefits here. Mini, for one, loves to put on her goggles in the shower and have a giggle, making up the lack of bubbles and general playtime that a bath allows. Tip: It also prevents any soap getting into her eyes, which is always a bonus!
Secondly, consider products carefully. For Mini in particular, as it’s kind to her skin as well as suitable for eczema, I love the Eucerin Dry Skin range. This small line of products do exactly what they promise – kick eczema to the curb. To keep it simple, get clean with Eucerin Urea Repair Plus 5% Urea Replenishing Body Wash – a small dollop will suffice – and follow up with Eucerin Intensive Lotion 10% W/W Urea Cutaneous Emulsion for additional comfort. The wash is best used as part of a regular routine. Yes, it does relieve the almighty itch almost immediately, however with continuous use, it can actually help prevent skin from drying out to a greater degree. Talk about a skin-saver! And the lotion is a real easy one when it comes to kids, as it’s light and dries in nicely, so it doesn’t feel uncomfortable when you have to get them dressed immediately after applying.
HEAD-TO-TOE
If you suffer particularly badly, the Dry Range DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Shampoo is a gentle option when it comes to haircare, to ensure you won’t have any heavily perfumed suds running through your locks or down the body. This way, you can invest in a (literal) head-to-toe routine that’s suited to sensitive skin and won’t cause you any trouble and will actually prevent more issues from springing up.
It might seem deceptively simple, but when you have a child with symptoms that bother them, finding a routine and products that do the job is an absolute joy and the simpler the routine, the better. Kids have little patience when they’re irritable with irritated skin, so it’s a real FIX IT QUICK situation. Happily, this is one that works for us and Eucerin is a dermatologist-recommended brand, so you can be safe in the knowledge that it’s safe for the kiddies and adults alike.
THE DETAILS
Eucerin Urea Repair Plus 5% Urea Replenishing Body Wash, €18.50 for 400ml
Eucerin Intensive Lotion 10% W/W Urea Cutaneous Emulsion, €13 for 250ml
Range DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Shampoo, €13 for 250ml