By Angelika Thew
There is something wonderful about the arrival of spring. The days become warmer and longer, windows are opened, children spend more time outside and family life begins to move outdoors again. For babies and young children, it can mean more time at the park, in the garden, at the beach or swimming pool, and plenty of opportunities to explore the world around them.
For families living with eczema, however, a change of season can sometimes bring a change in the skin too.
Eczema is a condition that can be influenced by the environment, and every child’s triggers are different. Some children find their skin improves as the colder, drier months disappear, while others notice an increase in itching or flare-ups as temperatures rise. Heat, sweating, pollen, grass, swimming, sunscreen and simply spending more time outdoors can all introduce new challenges for sensitive skin.
The answer is certainly not to keep children indoors. Spring is a wonderful time for children to play, explore and be active. Instead, a little preparation and an understanding of your child’s individual triggers can help make those warmer days much more comfortable.
One of the first changes parents may notice as the weather warms is increased sweating. Sweat itself is a very normal and important way for the body to cool down, but for some children with eczema, it can cause stinging and itching. The salts contained in sweat can irritate already sensitive or inflamed skin, particularly around the neck, behind the knees, inside the elbows and in other areas where heat and moisture can become trapped.
If your child comes home hot, sweaty and itchy after running around outside, something as simple as rinsing the skin with lukewarm or cool water can help remove sweat. Gently pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it and follow with their usual moisturiser. If a full bath or shower isn’t practical, particularly when you’re out for the day, a soft, damp cloth can be useful for gently removing sweat from irritated areas. Keeping a spare set of clothes in the car or nappy bag can also be surprisingly helpful when clothing becomes hot or damp.
Clothing can make a difference too. As we transition out of winter layers, look for loose, lightweight and breathable clothing that allows air to circulate around the skin. Soft fabrics are generally more comfortable than rough or scratchy materials, and avoiding overdressing can help prevent overheating.
Babies can be particularly easy to overdress because, as parents, our instinct is often to make sure they are warm enough. On a warmer spring day, check the back of your baby’s neck or torso rather than their hands and feet to get an idea of whether they are becoming too hot. If their skin feels hot and sweaty, removing a layer may help keep them more comfortable.
Spring also brings pollen, flowering plants and freshly growing grass. For some children with eczema, environmental allergens can contribute to itching and irritation. Grass can also cause irritation simply through direct contact with sensitive skin. A child rolling around on the lawn in shorts may therefore come inside scratching their legs, even though they were perfectly comfortable before they went outside.
This doesn’t mean the backyard or park should become off-limits. If you know that grass or pollen tends to bother your child, simple habits can help. Lightweight clothing that covers particularly sensitive areas may reduce direct contact. After outdoor play, washing hands and faces and rinsing exposed skin can remove pollen, grass and sweat. Changing out of clothing that has been in contact with grass can also be useful, particularly before bedtime. Children have very different eczema triggers, so watching for patterns over time is often more helpful than attempting to remove every possible trigger from their environment.
With warmer weather also comes the return of sunscreen. Sun protection is important for all children, but parents of children with eczema sometimes find themselves caught between wanting to protect their child’s skin from the sun and worrying that sunscreen will sting or trigger a flare.
Eczema-prone skin can be particularly sensitive to some sunscreen ingredients, fragrances and preservatives. If you’re introducing a new sunscreen, consider testing a small amount on an area of unaffected skin before using it more widely. Fragrance-free products designed for sensitive skin may be better tolerated, and many people with eczema find mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide gentler on their skin.
There is also no need to abandon the moisturising routine because the weather has become warmer. The skin barrier still needs support, even when skin doesn’t look or feel as dry as it did during winter. Your child may prefer a different moisturiser or formulation in hot weather if their usual product feels too heavy, but any change is worth discussing with your healthcare professional if you are unsure.
When using both moisturiser and sunscreen, allowing the moisturiser time to absorb before applying sunscreen can help. Sunscreen should then be reapplied according to its directions, particularly after swimming or heavy sweating.
Of course, sunny weather also means swimming. Whether it’s the backyard pool, swimming lessons, the local aquatic centre or a day at the beach, there is no reason most children with eczema cannot enjoy the water.
The important thing is learning how your child’s skin responds. Chlorinated pool water irritates some children, while others tolerate it very well. Salt water can feel wonderful on some eczema-prone skin but can sting significantly when skin is cracked or inflamed.
Before swimming, some families find that applying their child’s usual moisturiser or an appropriate barrier product helps protect the skin. Afterwards, rinse off chlorine, salt, sand and other residue with fresh,lukewarm water as soon as practical. Pat rather than rub the skin dry and reapply moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp.
The beach introduces another very familiar parenting challenge: sand everywhere. Sand can rub against already sensitive skin, particularly under swimmers and around waistbands, nappies and leg openings. Rinsing your child with fresh water after leaving the beach and changing them out of sandy, wet clothing can help prevent prolonged friction.
Another small but useful spring habit is to have an eczema kit ready when you leave home. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Your child’s moisturiser, their usual sunscreen, a water bottle, a soft cloth, spare clothing and any treatments that have been prescribed for them can make an unexpectedly itchy afternoon much easier to manage.
For babies, having these items in the nappy bag means they simply become part of the normal leaving-the-house routine. For older children, involving them in packing and eventually looking after some of their own eczema essentials can also help them gradually understand their skin and build confidence in managing it.
Spring is also a good opportunity to review your child’s eczema care plan. Children grow, their skin changes, their activities change and sometimes the treatment plan that worked last year needs adjusting. If your child’s eczema has become more difficult to control, is regularly disturbing their sleep, is affecting their participation in activities or their usual treatment no longer seems effective, speak with their doctor or dermatologist rather than simply trying to manage worsening symptoms alone.
Parents should also be alert to signs that eczema may be infected. Increasing pain, warmth, swelling, weeping, crusting or a rapid change in the appearance of the skin should be assessed by a healthcare professional. A child who appears generally unwell alongside a significant change in their eczema should also receive prompt medical attention.
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember as we head into the warmer months is that eczema management shouldn’t become a reason for children to miss out.
A childhood filled with eczema can already involve extra routines, appointments and moments when a child feels different from their friends or siblings. Wherever possible, our goal should be to help them participate. Going to the beach, playing in the backyard, learning to swim, having a picnic and running through the park are all part of childhood.
Sometimes that simply means approaching those activities a little differently.
It might mean choosing a shaded spot at the park, changing a sweaty T-shirt halfway through the day, rinsing off after swimming, carrying moisturiser in your bag or recognising that your child needs a break somewhere cool. These aren’t limitations. They are tools that allow children with eczema to participate more comfortably.
And remember that what works for another family may not work for yours. One child may flare every time they swim in a chlorinated pool, while another swims several times a week without a problem. One may struggle badly with heat, while another finds winter is by far their hardest season. Eczema is individual, and getting to know your own child’s skin is one of the most useful things you can do.
As the weather begins to warm, try to notice rather than fear those changes. Is your child itchier after running outside? Does grass seem to bother their legs? Is sunscreen causing stinging? Does swimming make their skin feel better or worse? Does their skin become irritated when sweat sits in the folds of the neck or elbows?
Those observations can help you make small, practical changes without unnecessarily restricting your child’s world.
At the Eczema Association, we know that living with eczema isn’t just about treating the skin. It is about sleep, confidence, family life, childcare, school, holidays and all the ordinary experiences we want our children to enjoy. We support families across Australia and New Zealand with practical information, education and resources to help make those everyday moments a little easier.
So this spring, open the doors, head outside and let children enjoy the warmer days. Pack the moisturiser, keep them cool, rinse away the sweat, grass, sand or chlorine when you need to, and continue supporting that all-important skin barrier.
A little preparation can go a long way towards helping sensitive spring skin enjoy everything the season has to offer.
Angelika Thew is the CEO of the Eczema Association, supporting families living with eczema across Australia and New Zealand. The Eczema Association provides practical, evidence-informed information, community education and support to help people better understand and manage eczema in everyday life.
Connect with the Eczema Association
Australia: eczema.org.au | 1300 300 182
New Zealand: eczema.org.nz | 0800 300 182
The information in this article is general in nature and is not intended to replace individual medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s skin or treatment, speak with your doctor, dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional.
