We asked parents of children with eczema for their top back-to-school tips to help ensure an enjoyable school year.
- Teach your child to accept eczema early in life. Taking a matter-of-fact approach will help your child learn to live with eczema without feeling shame or embarrassment
- Ensure your child understands eczema and why treatments are necessary
- Familiarize your child with his or her eczema triggers and take precautions to avoid them.
- Explain things in age-appropriate terms. This will provide reassurance and will aid your child with the ability to manage eczema as he or she grows more independent.
- If your child is angry, upset, or discouraged because of eczema, accept and validate these feelings without dwelling on them, then move on.
- If your child has trouble dealing with eczema or the emotional and social consequences, don’t hesitate to seek counseling. A therapist can help your child articulate feelings and suggest ways to cope
- Make sure your child’s teachers know how your child behaves during a flare-up. If your child fidgets, becomes anxious, or is easily distracted during a flare-up, these behaviors may be misinterpreted as signs of attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Teasing and social isolation can be problems for children with eczema. If your child is bing teased, talk to the other children and their parents (or your child’s teacher, if the teasing occurs at school).
- Send a first aid kit to school containing adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, moisturizer, sunscreen, petroleum jelly, and other items your child may need.
- Get to know the school nurse (if there is one).
Download free Eczema: Tools for Schools Kit for parents and teachers
