EVER HAD WHAT feels like an impossible-to-relieve itch on your arm, only to look down and realise that your skin actually looks pretty inflamed? Or ever seen the same happen with your child?

Skin conditions such as eczema can affect 1 in 12 Irish adults, and a fifth of Irish children. For psoriasis, it’s about 2-3% of the population.

While we should all try to be careful with what we expose our skin to, parents of children with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne need to be even more vigilant if they want to avoid flare ups.

Here, consultant dermatologist Dr Nicola Ralph shares what to look out for.

1. Your child often has red, itchy patches near their joints

One of the tell-tale signs of eczema? The level of itch, says Dr Ralph. “It’s characterised by red, inflamed patches of skin which are itchy, scaly and commonly occur in the creases”. This means adults and older kids tend to experience it around the wrists, crook of the arms and behind the knees. In babies however, it often affects faces, especially the cheeks.

Shutterstock / Tomsickova Tatyana Shutterstock / Tomsickova Tatyana / Tomsickova Tatyana

2. There are thick or pink patches on their scalp 

Another common skin condition includes psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition which Dr Ralph says affects 2-3% of the Irish population. This is characterised by “pink patches of skin with a thickened silvery white scale on top”. It typically appears on elbows, knees, scalp, nails or behind the ears but it may affect the whole body. Though it tends to be itchy, it’s “not classically as severe as eczema”. 

3. Their skin gets itchy if it’s next to a label or tag

Ever find that anywhere your child’s skin meets a label, it causes them to start scratching? Dr Ralph advises to wear layers of clothing that may be removed as needed and ideally stick to cotton clothes for kids, with the tags removed, if you can. When tags or labels are left on clothing, they can lead to irritation which unfortunately tends to lead to further scratching.

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4. Soaps and fabric softeners are causing irritations

If you are trying to keep your child’s skin irritations at bay, regardless of the specific issue, it’s worth looking at the products that you’re using on their bodies. Dr Ralph explains: “With eczema, you should avoid any fragrances products, fabric softeners, detergents, soaps and bubbles.”

Along with this, it’s worth popping into your local pharmacy to ask for advice on shower and bath products which are soap-free. For example, La Roche-Posay have a suitable range of products available in pharmacies nationwide which have been created specifically to soothe eczema-prone skin.

5. Your child is finding it hard to sleep because of itching

Sleeping in a cool room is also recommended for those who may be suffering from eczema, says Dr Ralph, who explains:

If someone has a severe itch, it affects sleep. In adults, many patients have to take time off due to severe flares of their chronic skin condition.

If your child’s skin condition has become severe enough to affect their sleep, it’s worth booking an appointment with your doctor who can refer your child to a dermatologist if necessary. They can advise you on how to minimise flare ups, and the emollients that are safe enough to use as treatment.

So, what should I do?

If you want advice on a possible skin condition, Dr Ralph says that it’s worth a visit your local pharmacy. A pharmacist can advise on suitable over the counter treatment for relief in the short-term and advise you on whether to bring your child to see a GP.

While your child should always be assessed by a doctor to see if they do have eczema, Dr Ralph recommends a lukewarm bath for 5-7 minutes a day with a soap-free emollient (moisturiser) added, patting the skin dry and then applying prescribed creams or ointments to the red patches. Let these dry for ten minutes and then apply a generous amount of fragrance- and soap-free emollient to the entire body.

“For eczema, a pharmacist can advise on a suitable emollient to apply to the skin 2-3 times a day”. This can create a skin barrier that prevents drying of the skin known as TEWL – transepidermal water loss, which causes skin dehydration.

In relation to treatment for psoriasis, Dr Ralph recommends topical tar mixtures, topical steroids (depending on where it flares up on your body), phototherapy (UV treatment) or immunosuppressants. Your GP or dermatologist will be able to advice which is best for your specific situation.

Think your child’s skin could do with some TLC? La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+ is a gentle, soothing and moisturising balm for adults, children and babies with dry or very dry skin. Its hypo-allergenic formula can even be used on newborn babies. Best of all, it is suitable for use on eczema-prone skin. Take a look at the full range here.