Avoid going out in the sun immediately after applying emollient as any oily residue can make the skin more susceptible to burning.This will minimise the drying effect of the sun without diluting the sunscreen. Try to apply emollient at least 30 minutes before you apply any sunscreen.Things to watch out for when applying sunscreen on eczema-prone skin If you are using a chemical or combination formula make sure that the area you test is exposed to light so that the chemical sunscreen ingredients are broken down and you can be sure that your little one is not allergic to the by-products of the light to heat reaction. The downside of mineral-based sunscreen is that they can leave their trademark white sheen on the skin, but personally, I find this really useful it highlights the bits I‘ve missed on my wriggly and impatient offspring.Īs with all things eczema, what works for one person may not work for the next so it’s worth patch testing new sunscreens in a small area for 24 hours before using them on the whole body. This means that you can apply them at the beginning of the school day and be reasonably confident that your child will be protected throughout the day. The vast majority of sunscreens for children have either chemical or combination formulations but it is possible to find mineral-only sunscreens.įor school-going children, mineral sunscreens also have the advantage that they don’t need to be reapplied as frequently (because the mineral particles don’t break down in the same way as the chemical-based sunscreens). In addition, the mineral formulation reflects the light rather than converting it into heat, so they are often much more comfortable for children whose eczema is aggravated by heat. The mineral formulations often work better for eczema kids as the active ingredient aren’t absorbed into the skin so have less opportunity to irritate. The key difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens is that chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin whilst those containing minerals sit on the skin and act as a barrier. As the bonds absorb UV radiation, the components of the sunscreen slowly break down and release heat. Instead of physically deflecting UV light, these molecules absorb UV radiation through their chemical bonds. Sunscreens can also contain organic chemicals, with names such as avobenzone or oxybenzone. In the past, these sunscreens left the characteristic white sheen to the wearers but modern processing has been able to reduce the particle sizes so that now they are not nearly as obvious. Sunscreens can be made by adding these mineral powders to a cream. They reflect UV rays so that they aren’t able to penetrate the skin. Some minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, act as a physical sunblock. Types of sunscreen (and what they mean for eczema) ScratchSleeves gives you the best sunscreen tips for eczema children, including a guide to understanding the label on your sunscreen and our tried and tested review of eczema-friendly kid’s sunscreens. Sunscreen can be a convenient way to restore skin moisture at the same time as protecting your child from the sun, but harsh chemical ingredients could make the situation itchier. With the skin’s moisture gone, eczema is more prone to flare up and the inevitable scratching can open up old (or new!) wounds. Summer: the time when all kids (not just the itchy ones) get covered from top to toe in white gloop! The sun is really important in the creation of essential Vitamin D, but it also emits harmful UV rays and dries out the skin. Eczema children often get on better with the mineral-based sunscreens as they sit on the surface of the skin (rather than being absorbed) and don’t create extra heat, which can aggravate their eczema. Sunscreens can work in two ways: by reflecting the light away from the skin using fine mineral particles (zinc or titanium oxides) or by using organic chemicals rubbed into the surface layers of the skin to convert the harmful light energy into benign heat energy as they break down into smaller chemical units.
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