Eczema Care - Holidays

Do I go on holiday? Will the sun affect my eczema - will it make it worse or better? Will the sun creams aggravate my skin? Will the water make my skin dryer?

These are just some of the many questions eczema sufferers ask themselves when thinking about going on holiday. Hopefully, the information below will help to answer some of these and other questions you may have about holidays.

It is always a dilemma deciding whether you should go on holiday, and whether taking a child with eczema on holiday is a good idea. But, it is generally accepted that warmer climates tend to be more beneficial to eczema sufferers than colder ones. Although with the more frequent use of air conditioning, the incidence of eczema in warmer climates is slowly increasing. Air conditioning, like central heating, tends to keep the atmosphere dry and this leads to dryer skin.

The Mediterranean, parts of America, Asia and the Middle East have dry, sunny climates and tend to be a good choice as long as you avoid the hottest months.

Experts are unsure why the climates are beneficial, but perhaps it is due to a combination of things; sea air, different water, stress free and relaxing atmosphere, the sun, lack of carpets that harbour dust mites.

Some sufferers have reported the benefits of bathing in the sea. The salt water can help to soothe your skin, but beware that salt on broken skin can be uncomfortable.

Chlorine in swimming pools can irritate eczema. This is a bit of a catch 22 - whilst chlorine can cause irritation, it is necessary in certain quantities to stop bacteria from spreading. Of course, bacteria can cause skin infections. Some eczema sufferers can swim in chlorinate pools with little effect, whilst others cannot. One tip is to cover the skin with an oil based emollient which then provides a protective layer between the chemicals used in swimming pools and the skin. Of course, moisturise thoroughly after swimming.

Perhaps there are a few key issues to bear in mind when going abroad:-

1. Mode of transport - aeroplanes tend to have dry atmospheres as the air is continually recycled. Therefore, it is probably better to choose a country not too far away so that the journey is as short as possible.

2. Make the journey interesting for little ones. Boredom and tiredness can lead to itchy skin that is more likely to be scratched. Take books, toys and colouring books to limit boredom.

3. Make sure you have a good supply of moisturisers and creams. This will ensure you won't run out whilst away.

4. Patch test your sun screen before you go to make sure it doesn't irritate your skin. (You can do this by trying the testers in the supermarket or chemist.) There are a number of good sun screens that are dermatologically tested. They tend to be more expensive, but it is well worth the investment once you find one that suits you.

5. Bear in mind that hot climates can increase the risk of infection as bacteria multiply and spread more quickly in hot and humid conditions. Therefore, watch more closely for signs of infection during the first few days of your holiday. You should find that if you get through these first few days infection free, your skin should start to improve. Obviously, seek immediate medical help if you think you have an infection.

6. Make sure you take out adequate holiday insurance and pay particular attention to the amount of cover given for medical problems.

Wherever and whenever you decide to go on holiday, have a great time and most of all, enjoy yourself!

Page created: 14 March 2006