If you are heading off on a long-awaited summer holiday, you will most likely be excited but anxious about caring for your child’s skin in a new location.

Whether you are travelling to an exotic destination or holidaying closer to home, being in a new space can cause difficulties for eczema-prone skin.

The change in climate can aggravate skin, and changing routine, diet and sleeping quarters could cause a flare. While there is no way to guarantee your child will avoid a flare-up, there are steps you can take. It would be advisable to take your child’s regular flare treatments with you on your trip to ensure you have access to treatment that usually helps them.

Sunshine

Overheating, sun cream and sweat can cause eczema to flare, and a small percentage of those with eczema also react to sunlight, making summer very difficult.

Apply sun cream at least half an hour after any emollients have been applied to the skin and use a brand especially for sensitive skin. We have a whole blog on the best sun creams for eczema, you can find it here.

If your child has photosensitive eczema, you can get UV-blocking full-body suits and hats which may be suitable for your child and allow them some outdoor time in good weather.

Fabrics

Lots of summer clothes can be made from man-made fabrics that aggravate skin. Look for 100 per cent cotton clothing, and if that isn’t possible, like with bathing suits/shorts, try to keep these fabrics on the skin as little as possible.

Bedding may be made from man-made fabrics too, or washed in detergent that doesn’t agree with your child’s skin. You could consider bringing your own bedding, but this can be difficult when space is limited. You can contact the accommodation ahead of time to ask what materials their bedding is and some may be able to provide hypoallergenic bedding. If you can’t squeeze a sheet washed at home into your luggage, try placing a small cotton blanket over the sheet or wrapping the pillow/s in a T-shirt or jumper already in your luggage to protect your child’s skin from the unknown detergents.

Medication

You can bring any prescriptions in your hand luggage as long as they are clearly labelled with your child’s name on the prescription, even if they are bigger than 100ml. If your luggage gets lost, you will still have your medications on hand.

Different countries have different rules on over-the-counter drugs, so it is worth taking medications like antihistamines and painkillers that you may need.

General

Avoiding the hottest times of the day, between 12:00-15:00, can help prevent skin overheating and reacting. While for some eczema sufferers, going for a swim in the sea can soothe their skin, with the salt water helping to heal.

Be careful of sand touching the skin, as this can also be a trigger for some people living with eczema. Long sleeves or beach shoes are available to help minimise contact with sand.