Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an itchy rash on the skin characterized by red and scaly patches, and it can affect up to 20 percent of infants. Some common signs/symptoms of eczema include: severe itching, small raised bumps, thick/cracked skin, raw/sensitive skin. Although it’s common in babies and children, it can be heartbreaking as a parent to watch your little one suffer from pain and itching, especially when it prevents them from getting restful sleep during the night.
It is also very common for eczema to flare up in the winter, due to cold, dry conditions, which sap moisture from the air and cause dry skin. Other wintertime factors that worsen eczema include:
- Dry air combined with indoor heating systems
- Wearing too many layers
- Taking hot baths
- Too many bed coverings
In order to manage eczema when it’s cold, we want to keep the skin hydrated and avoid overheating! Here are a few tips to soothe your little one’s dry, itchy skin and make their eczema a bit more manageable during the winter:
- Stick to warm baths, not hot ones, and remember to pat the skin dry as opposed to rubbing it with a towel. A Kyte Baby hooded towel is ultra soft and great for efficiently drying the skin.
- Try a really thick, moisturizing lotion to create a barrier on the skin and lock in hydration. If lotions are not effective, an alternative would be petroleum jelly like Aquaphor, and remember to apply multiple times a day!
- Add a humidifier to the bedroom to add moisture back into the air.
- Make sure your little one is sufficiently hydrated, and offer plenty of breastmilk, formula, and/or water, depending on their age.
- Make sure you’re using a gentle, hypoallergenic soap when bathing! Stay away from fragrances and dyes, and look for moisturizing ingredients like oatmeal or calendula.
Some other key tips for managing eczema include:
- Using soft, cooling fabrics that aren’t irritating to the skin, like bamboo.
- Trying a vitamin D supplement (studies have found a correlation between vitamin D supplements and a reduction in winter eczema)
- Using Kyte Baby mittens to deter your little one from scratching at the rash and further damaging the skin.
It is so hard to manage eczema during big temperature changes, but making sure your baby stays at a comfortable temperature (by layering appropriately and avoiding overheating), keeping their skin moisturized, and dressing in soft, cooling fabrics can keep the itching at bay, and help everyone get better sleep!
Author Bio: Ashley Olson is a certified pediatric sleep consultant, owner of Heaven Sent Sleep, and passionate about helping new parents, experienced parents, desperate and sleep-deprived parents form healthy sleep habits for their children.
She has over 3 years of experience in working with families and has completed over 150 hours of coursework plus continuing education related to infant and toddler sleep. The focus of her work is on fostering a routine that grows your bond with your child while improving their sleep habits. She specializes in custom sleep plans and one on one support in changing sleep practices!
