28 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • MARCH 3, 2022 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
With cooler weather here for many,
it’s important to keep in mind that dropping
temperatures and drier air can have
an impact on your health, especially the
health of your skin. People with eczema
may experience additional irritation and
fl areups during the colder seasons. Th is
can be particularly diffi cult for children,
as the itchy red patches of skin can be
bothersome, distracting and even embarrassing.
Eczema - also known as atopic dermatitis
- impacts 31.6 million people in
the U.S., or roughly one out of 10 people,
according to the National Eczema
Association. That number includes
approximately 9.6 million U.S. children
under the age of 18, with one-third having
moderate to severe forms of the condition.
And the prevalence of childhood
atopic dermatitis has steadily increased
over the past two decades.
“It can be so diffi cult to watch a child
struggle with eczema if you’re a parent or
caregiver,” said board certifi ed pediatrician
Dr. Mona Amin. “Th is complex condition
is infl uenced by many factors, and
therefore treating it can be quite challenging.
Fortunately, there are several steps
families can take during cold weather
months to help kids with eczema look and
feel their best.”
Dr. Amin shares her top eczema care
tips:
Pediatrician
shares her
eczema care
tips for kids
Avoid common triggers
Everyone is diff erent, so pay attention
to what may trigger your child’s eczema.
Fragrances are a common irritant,
so be mindful to use fragrance-free soap,
shampoo, conditioner and laundry detergent.
When washing clothes, you may
need to add another rinse cycle to ensure
detergents are completely washed away.
Additionally, many people use seasonal
scented hand soap which smells great but
can irritate the hands, especially with the
current higher levels of washing.
Wear soft, breathable clothing
As kids begin to layer on clothing to
stave off the chill, they may be unknowingly
worsening eczema symptoms.
Synthetic fabrics or fabrics with textures
are oft en the culprit of irritation. When
possible, choose natural, breathable clothing,
especially the layer that is closest to
the skin. Cotton, silk and bamboo fabrics
are good options. What’s more, remember
to have kids wear gloves to protect their
hands against cold air that can dry the
skin and exacerbate eczema.
Relieve the itch
When your child experiences a fl areup,
it’s important to combat the dreaded itchscratch
cycle as quickly as possible. Reach
for Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment, formulated
with 1% hydrocortisone (antiitch
ointment) along with other soothing
ingredients. “I always recommend
Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment to my
patients ages 2 and older,” said Dr. Amin.
top fi ve
“It is the No. 1 pediatrician recommended
brand for eczema, and the Aquaphor
Itch Relief Ointment is clinically proven
to provide signifi cant itch relief for up to
12 hours. It immediately soothes itchy
spots to help skin heal. You can fi nd it in
either 1-ounce or 2-ounce sizing at your
local Walmart or Walmart.com.”
Soothe and nourish skin
Cool, dry air can cause dry skin that
triggers eczema. A short 5- to 10-minute
warm bath (not hot!) can be soothing
and even restorative to the skin.
Your child may not even need to wash
with soap every time if they aren’t dirty
or smelly; just let skin soak up the H2O.
Finish by gently patting water off the
skin with a towel so it’s still a bit damp
and apply a nourishing lotion or cream
to lock in moisture.
Stay hydrated
In addition to keeping your child’s
skin hydrated externally, remember to
have them drink plenty of water so
they are hydrated internally as well.
Th is helps the body heal and supports
organ health. Make sure kids of all ages
have a water bottle fi lled and accessible
throughout the day. To make it more
fun, let them choose a style and design
that refl ects their own personality.
Cold weather and eczema fl areups oft en
go hand in hand, but a few proactive steps
and mindful measures can help you treat
the itch and prevent future irritation.
— Courtesy of BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
/Walmart.com
