Living better with atopic eczema at school

Good Habits to Adopt at School

Eczema at school can feel tough for children and families, especially when heat, sweat, stress, and itching trigger flare-ups during the day.
By adopting a few good habits, children and young people can live better with eczema at school. Heat, sweat, and stress are common triggers for eczema flare-ups, so it’s important to be mindful of these factors during the school day. Maintaining the same good habits at school as at home can make a big difference.

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Key Classroom Habits

By simply taking these tips into consideration, you’re already off to a great start:

• Avoid sitting too close to a radiator or a sunny window to prevent heat and sweating
• Sit further away from the board to avoid chalk dust
• During flare-ups, wash hands after recess to avoid scratching with dirty hands
• Ensure the soap provided at school is non-irritating (you may choose to provide a soap-free gel for handwashing)

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Sports at School

Your child can still play sports — in fact, physical activity is encouraged. However, a few simple precautions should be taken for children with eczema:

• Chlorine and sweat can be irritating. Shower or wipe down with a wet cloth after sports activities, and apply a barrier cream before swimming
• Avoid intense physical activity and contact sports (such as judo, karate, or rugby) during flare-ups
• Stay well hydrated by drinking water regularly
• Bring a change of clothes
• Wear loose-fitting clothing

On class outings to the pool, it can help for the child to get out of the water 10 to 15 minutes before the rest of the group. This allows them to enjoy the activity with their peers without rushing their recommended skincare routine.

These strategies help reduce flare-ups and support comfort with eczema at school

Atopic eczema is often associated with asthma, so it’s important to watch for early warning signs such as rapid shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or wheezing.

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How to Talk About Eczema with Classmates

Eczema is not contagious, so it’s important to reassure classmates that they cannot “catch it.” Once this is understood, other students are often open to listening as the child explains that their skin is more sensitive and can develop red, itchy patches. These patches may be uncomfortable, but they are not dangerous.

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Is Eczema Causing Problems at School?

Eczema can sometimes disrupt sleep and increase stress, which may make it harder for a child to concentrate during the day. If this is happening, it’s a good idea to talk with your child’s teacher so they understand what’s going on.

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Scratching Alternatives at School

While it’s not always practical to bring items like thermal spring water sprays or refrigerated gel packs to school, there are other helpful alternatives:

• Smooth stones (naturally cool) to press against itchy skin
• A small wooden massage roller
• Beads or a stress ball to keep hands busy
• A piece of Velcro stitched into a pencil case, allowing the child to scratch the case instead of their skin

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How to Dress for Class

The same clothing rules apply at school as at home:

• Choose cotton or linen fabrics
• Wear fleece instead of wool
• Avoid synthetic fabrics that increase sweating
• Avoid hot turtlenecks, as heat can worsen eczema
• Talk to the school about what clothing alternatives are allowed (for example, different shirt or short options)
• Many cotton stockists can help with suitable clothing choices

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How Parents Can Help

Parents should communicate openly with teachers about the nature and progression of atopic eczema. This helps teachers understand that:

• The child may have difficulty concentrating due to itching
• Poor sleep caused by itching may lead to irritability or tiredness
• Scratching is often a reflex and difficult to control, but there are alternatives that may help

Topical corticosteroids are the standard treatment for eczema and, in most cases, are very effective at reducing inflammation and itching.

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Facts for Teachers

Common questions about eczema:

• Is eczema contagious? No
• Are vaccines contraindicated? No
• Can children with eczema play sports? Yes
• Do all children with eczema have food allergies? No (only a small number do, and the school should be informed if this applies)

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Atopic Eczema: Precautions to Take at School

• Heat can worsen eczema symptoms
• Children should be seated away from windows or heat sources where possible
• Classrooms should be well ventilated
• Some soaps can aggravate eczema
• Children should be allowed to bring their own suitable soap
• Sports are allowed and encouraged
• If possible, children should shower or wipe down with a wet cloth after swimming or heavy sweating

Teachers should also be aware that some children with eczema may withdraw socially or feel isolated, particularly during flare-ups.

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Source:
Pierre Fabre Eczema Foundation
https://www.pierrefabreeczemafoundation.org/en/living-better-atopic-eczema-school