An Irish pharmacist has shared exactly how she managed her now three-year-old son’s eczema during holidays, and it’s advice certainly worth taking on board.
Eczema is a very common skin condition affecting as many as one in five children in Ireland, according to the Irish Skin Foundation. Symptoms can be different for everyone, but generally include dryness, redness, inflammation and itching.
Eczema symptoms can come and go, but flare-ups can happen at any time according to the HSE, and they can be so hard to deal with, especially for small children. This can be worrisome for parents when they are travelling because while it’s uncomfortable for little ones even at home with all their trusted products, it’s a whole different ballgame abroad.
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Heat, sea, swimming pools and sand can all agitate sensitive skin, and when you are in a foreign country that may not have the products you are familiar with can be stressful.
This is something that Irish pharmacist Jess Redden had to contend with when travelling with her oldest son Bobby when he was a baby.
The mum-of-two shared some helpful advice for parents after a follower questioned her about it. During a Q&A while on holiday, one follower asked her a ‘pharmacist question’ about managing her 10 month old baby’s eczema on holiday.
Irish pharmacist Jess Redden gives eczema advice
Jess divided the advice into two parts, what to pack and how to manage when you’re actually there.
Before you go
Jess says that it is important to prepare to care for your child’s eczema before you go on holiday by packing the right things.
These include:
- Emollients – she says to bring your ‘usual brand in travel-sized containers’
- Topical steroids – if your child has been prescribed these, you can take them in your hand luggage
- Bath products – Jess advises taking a ‘fragrance-free wash or emollient bath additive’
- Clothing – According to the pharmacist, you should avoid packing wool and clothing made from synthetic materials and instead pack soft cotton
On holiday
Jess says that when you are actually on holiday ‘consistency matters more than anything’.
Here are her tips:
- Moisturise frequently by applying an emollient at least 2-4 times per day, especially after they have a bath. ‘I always gave Bobby a bath post swimming’
- Keep baths short and lukewarm – Jess said that hot water can dry the skin which is something that you certainly don’t want if your baby is suffering from eczema. Then pat them dry and moisturise within a couple of minutes
- Use a barrier cream – You should apply Vaseline or another barrier cream before their skin comes into contact with chlorine
- Manage heat and sweat – Heat can trigger itching so you should try and keep your baby cool with shade and clothing, according to Jess. You should rinse them off if they are sweating and then reapply moisturiser
