Home / Living with Eczema / Your Child and Eczema
Eczema that keeps coming back may be a chronic condition called atopic dermatitis. This is often the result of a highly sensitive immune system.
It’s hard to watch your child deal with eczema. You’d give anything to trade places. More than anything, you want to understand and help relieve your child’s constant flare-ups.
New learnings about eczema and atopic dermatitis uncover what may be causing your child's eczema. Those constant flare-ups on the surface of the skin may be the outward signs of deeper inflammation caused in part by a sensitive immune system.
His character comes
from within. And so might
his eczema.
Kids question so much in life. How many times have you been asked why the sky is blue, the grass is green, or why your child can’t do everything they want? When you throw eczema in the mix, the answers can be even more challenging.
So, even if you can’t answer all of the questions they are asking, here are some quick tips and ways to help them understand their condition:
Their eczema may never go away, but it can be managed if you understand what the causes are.
Unfortunately, you may have to live with eczema your whole life. But, doctors are understanding more about what causes it every day. This will help us understand your eczema better.
Let them know that you are always there to listen to them, and help answer any questions—even if you need someone else’s help.
I don’t know the answer to that question, but I bet your doctor does. We can ask him at your next appointment.
Explore ways to help them understand their condition in a way that makes sense.
The reason you are itching is because you are kind of stuck in what people call a cycle. It’s like being on a merry-go-round that doesn’t stop.
If your child is struggling with their social situation, help them find a simple way to explain what eczema is and isn’t to their friends and classmates.
It’s a condition called eczema. It is dry, itchy skin, but it's not contagious. You can't catch it from me.
Do the text conversations feel familiar? It can be hard to find the right time or way to talk to your teen about their eczema.
The topics below are good conversation starters and can help your teen understand an underlying cause of their moderate-to-severe eczema.
The first step to managing your child’s eczema is being prepared to talk to their doctor.
These tips can help you and your child have a productive discussion with your doctor.
Prepare a list of symptoms most bothersome to them (help younger children with the list).
Discuss the impact of symptoms on your child’s daily activities.
When in doubt, ask your questions.
Encourage your child to speak up. Don’t be shy.
Get a next-step plan from your doctor.
Implement the plan you, your child, and your doctor created.
Monitor your child’s progress by checking in with them regularly.
While scientists are working hard to develop a deeper understanding of what’s going on underneath the skin, you and your child can get helpful resources, activities, and the latest news and developments.
