13 Things at School That May Have Triggered Your Child's Eczema

School can pose some tricky challenges for kids who live with atopic dermatitis/eczema. Anything from anxiety about a test to borrowing a friend's scented lotion could worsen their symptoms. Here are the most common skin triggers to know about, and how you can help your child cope with them.

Repeated rubbing from backpack shoulder straps can be an overlooked eczema trigger for kids. Try to lighten your child's load so it's no more than 15%-20% of their body weight. Ask if they can keep some supplies at school. Then, encourage your child to wear both straps, not just one, so the weight of their bag is more balanced. For some kids, a backpack on wheels may be a good option.

You want your child to run around at recess and have fun, but getting sweaty can cause an eczema flare. When sweat evaporates, it leaves a salty film that dries out and irritates the skin. Loose cotton clothing can keep your child more comfortable. Pack them an extra towel and water bottle so they can try to blot or rinse away extra sweat. After school, showering, moisturizing their skin, and changing clothes right away can help.

Many chemicals used to sanitize pool water can irritate your child's eczema. Ask your doctor to recommend a protective skin ointment they can put on before they get into the pool. Afterward, have them shower right away and dry off with a fresh towel, not the one they used when they got out of the pool. If your child's in the middle of a flare, they may need to skip swim practice for a while and let their skin heal.

Perfumes, body sprays, scented lotions, cleaning products — anything with a fragrance — may contain hundreds of manmade chemicals. If your child's sensitive to any of them, their skin may become itchy and inflamed. Let them help with choosing fragrance-free products to use on their skin, and explain why using a friend's scented product could cause a flare. You could also talk to your child's principal about a fragrance-free school policy.

Frequent hand-washing or using hand sanitizer during the school day can damage your child’s skin barrier, causing eczema to worsen. Remind them to wash their hands with lukewarm, not hot, water and to rinse well so soap doesn’t stay on their skin. Get them fragrance-free hand sanitizer without harsh ingredients. (Look for products without methanol.) Applying moisturizer to clean, still-damp hands is key, so stick a travel-sized tube in their backpack.

Processed foods, sweets, and refined carbs like white bread cause inflammation, which makes a skin flare more likely. Try to limit these foods in your child's diet. Healthier choices for their skin include beans, fish, fruits and veggies, probiotics like yogurt, whole grains like oatmeal, and gluten-free grains like corn. About 30% of kids with eczema also have food allergies, so ask your doctor if your child needs to be tested.

Worrying about schoolwork can show up on your child's skin. Stress ramps up inflammation and makes it harder for damaged skin cells to repair themselves. Help your child by setting up a quiet spot and time for homework. Break work into small steps and remind them to ask for help as soon as they get stuck. Let your child's teacher know about their eczema, too. That way, you can work together to support them.

Your child may feel embarrassed or shy about their skin. That can lead to social stress, which may trigger even more itching. Help your child find activities that make them feel good about themselves. Remind them that they can talk to you about friend troubles or bullying, and if you don't have a solution, you'll find someone who does. A relaxation strategy, like deep breathing or guided imagery, could also help them manage stress.

If sunlight's one of your child's eczema triggers, the much-needed recess break during the day may worsen their symptoms. Before school, have them apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Mineral-based sunscreens may be less irritating, but ask your doctor to suggest a brand. Lightweight, breathable clothing, a hat, and sunglasses can also help protect them from the sun. Or you can suggest games they could play in the shade.

Many skin allergens that can trigger eczema symptoms show up in art supplies. For example, formaldehyde, a preservative that can irritate skin, could be in the glue, paint, paper, or plywood that your child uses in art class. It could also be in the disinfectant used to clean up afterward. Wearing cotton, cotton-lined, or vinyl (hypoallergenic) gloves can help your child avoid contact with these triggers.

Wool, polyester (including "cotton-rich" blends), nylon, lace, denim, scratchy labels, tight zippers, and rough seams can all rub your child's skin the wrong way. Look for clothing options with breathable materials like 100% cotton, bamboo, or Tencel Lyocell. Some companies also make silk garments that can be worn under your child's clothes to protect their skin.

A hot, non-air-conditioned classroom can irritate your child's skin. And when it's cold outside, indoor heating can dry out the air and pull moisture from their skin. Have your child choose a seat that's far away from a vent or sunny window so they don't overheat and start itching. And if they have assigned seats, talk to their teacher. Running a humidifier at home can help put some moisture back into your child's dry skin.  

That cute guinea pig or hamster in your child's classroom may cause their eczema to flare. Their dander — flakes of dead skin that animals naturally shed — could be the cause. Ask your child's teacher to have an animal-free part of the room to try to limit how much dander your child is exposed to. Remind your child to wash their hands and moisturize often. If they have a specific pet allergy, talk to your doctor. Allergy shots or tablets may help.