Halloween is always my favorite holiday when I am working in the clinic. It’s often been a fun team-building activity for the staff, assists and physicians and families and kids enjoy seeing the adults join in the fun too. But, for kids and teens with eczema, picking a Halloween costume can present some unique challenges. Itchy fabrics that may not take well to washing, make up that is not made for sensitive skin, variable weather and pumpkin guts leading to itchy hands and arms! Here’s a few tips for those with well-controlled eczema and good treatment plan for how to manage some of these problems.
- Make an eczema friendly costume plan. This is the skin-friendliest way to go and is definitely what I recommend first. This means: costumes that can be washed prior to wearing, avoid face coverage or scratchy fabrics against the skin, and costumes that breathe well while at parties or trick-or-treating to help with limiting itching from sweat or heat. But many of us have had that time where the desire to wear a particular costume might be worth a few extra prep steps to make it work for you (I see you there, you fabulous teenagers) or your child’s eczema.
- Itchy fabric? Solutions: Wear a thin layer underneath the costume. Here in the Upper Midwest, it is often cold enough on Halloween that your costumes have to fit over winter coats….but, for those other times – when the costume is GREAT, but the materials are sooooo itchy, how do we make it better? Solution: Wear a thin layer of clothing underneath the costume. Keeping the itchy fabric away from direct contact with the skin will lessen the risk for flare. And it can be a good time to get the long johns out and make sure you have a pair that still fits for upcoming winter! Just a couple small areas causing trouble? A strategically used compression sleeve or sock with the toes trimmed off can protect those sensitive “elbow pits” and “knee pits”.
- Face make up is a key component to the costume! Solutions: Limit the amount of face covered. A few small touches can often get the point across – my cat nose and whiskers are an example. Which make up? Fragrance free is a key feature. Do a home patch test to any make up BEFORE using it everywhere. A home patch test (simplified) is using the make up on a small area of similar skin a few days before and looking for reactions. Moisturize the face prior to any make up application. Remove the make up as quickly and gently as possible as soon as you are able. This might mean bringing some gentle face wipes to school or the dance or party, so you can take it off right as you finish the main activity.
- Halloween was spooktacular, BUT now I am home and SO ITCHY! Solutions: Lean back on your good eczema care basics. Gently remove any make up, take a bath or shower, apply your topical medicines to any itchy or rashy areas of skin, moisturize and put on clean soft pajamas or sleepwear. Not enough? Great time to use Wet Wraps!
- I did it all perfectly from Step 1 and my eczema still flared! Solutions: First, don’t panic. Second, don’t be discouraged. Life with eczema doesn’t mean perfectly clear skin at all times. It means living a happy, healthy life and having the tools to treat flares when they come.
Questions about the above, like home patch tests, wet wraps or other eczema treatments? Want some more tools for your or your child’s eczema toolbox? Please schedule an appointment, I would love to help your child or teen live their life to the fullest!
