Christmas is just around the corner, with many children now enjoying the daily excitement of their advent calendars and counting down until Santa comes. We wanted to highlight how you can avoid tricky Christmas triggers for a calm, relaxing, flare free festive season.

Christmas jumpers

Festive jumpers are more popular than ever, with designs featuring tinsel and flashing reindeer noses. Often these jumpers are made from synthetic materials like polyester and viscose. These man-made fabrics can be itchy for sensitive skin or cause flare-ups. Choose pure cotton jumpers and check the inside of the material to make sure there are no synthetic or rough patches inside. Alternatively, wear a cotton long sleeve top under the jumper to make sure skin doesn’t contact the synthetic fibre.

Gifts

Toiletries are a common Christmas gift but can be a nightmare for eczema-prone skin. Bath bombs, lotions and bubble baths can be full of additives and sulphates that dry out skin and can make it flare-up. The best thing is a warm bath, not too hot, with bath additive which are safe for eczema-prone skin, or your regular emollient added. Food banks and charity shops will usually take any unopened toiletries if they aren’t suitable for your child’s skin.

Christmas trees

Real Christmas trees can be problematic for eczema-prone skin, with the needles aggravating skin and making allergies worse. Artificial Christmas trees can be less triggering and are worth cleaning each year to prevent the dust gathered in storage from making allergies flare up..

Festive food

Christmas can be a time of indulgence and feasting, but for those with allergies it may be difficult. Read labels carefully and if you are visiting friends or family warn them in advance of any allergies. If you are going to a party where you don’t know the hosts, bring your own snacks in case there is nothing for your child.

Medication

Most GP surgeries and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the festive period so it is a good idea to do a stock take and make sure you have all the prescriptions you need well in advance of the break.

With some planning, hopefully Christmas won’t impact your child or young person too much.

Merry Christmas from all at EOS!