Supporting Children with Eczema as They Return to School
For many students and families, the return to school after the holidays brings a mix of excitement and nerves. New teachers, changing friendship groups, and the general adjustment to routine can make the transition challenging. But if you/your child has eczema, the return to school, especially after an extended break, can come with even more complexity.
The Primary School Transition
In primary school, children typically spend the whole year with the same teacher and classmates. Over time, their condition is often understood, and skin care support routines become second nature. However, moving into a new year group can disrupt that familiarity. It’s easy to assume that knowledge about your child’s eczema will be passed on—but that’s not always the case.
That’s why we encourage families to book a meeting with their child’s new teacher at the beginning of the school year. A simple conversation can go a long way. Discussing your child’s eczema, their triggers, and how it’s managed in school can help ensure continuity of care. It’s also helpful to provide a written summary of your child’s needs so there’s a clear record that can be shared with any staff involved.
At EOS, we offer training for nursery and primary school staff to help them better understand eczema and how to support children who live with it. You can learn more about this here.
Moving Up to Secondary School
The transition to secondary school brings a whole new set of challenges. Children/Teens now move from classroom to classroom, encountering different teachers throughout the day. This can make it harder to maintain consistent support, especially when time between lessons is tight, and there’s little opportunity to apply creams or treatments without being late.
Parents often find they’re no longer at the school gates and may feel more distant from the staff. That’s why we recommend completing our “My Child’s Needs” document (available on our website) and submitting it to the school. This helps key staff quickly understand your child’s condition and how best to support them.
Consider requesting a meeting with the guidance teacher or Head of Year to discuss things like:
- Time allowances for applying treatment between classes
- Permission to leave class if needed
- Uniform adjustments to reduce irritation
- Awareness among all subject teachers of your child’s eczema-related needs
If the school is unfamiliar with eczema or would benefit from more information, we offer an educational secondary school animation designed to help raise awareness among staff. This can be requested by contacting us at: info@eos.org.uk
Helping your child feel supported and understood at school can make a huge difference in managing eczema. A little preparation and communication go a long way toward a smooth and confident return to the classroom.
