Does your child have a skin allergy? Here we look at the common causes of children's skin allergies, and reveal how our Organic Babies and Children ranges can help soothe delicate, young skin.
HOW TO SPOT A SKIN ALLERGY IN CHILDREN
The number of children with allergies in the UK is on the risei and often a child’s allergy will be detected by a change in their skin.
Young skin can react to environmental allergens, cosmetic allergens and food allergens. If the body cannot tolerate an allergen it will release histaminesii, an inflammatory immune response which, according to Allergy UK, can cause:
- Inflamed skin
- Swollen skin
- Itchy skin
Skin rashes, sensitivity and Urticaria (Hives) can also be a sign that young skin is in distress. As a skin rash can be a sign of a medical condition such as chicken pox, measles and meningitisiii, it is important that you carefully monitor young skin and seek medical attention if you are concerned about any changes.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD HAS A SKIN ALLERGY
The way that you react to a child’s skin allergy will vary, depending on the symptoms:
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD HAS ITCHY SKIN
The good news is that according to the NHS, most incidences of itchy skin allergies are temporaryiv. To help relieve the itch, they advise using fragrance-free skin care and keeping dry, flaky skin well moisturisediii.
For a natural way to hydrate itchy, dry skin, try our Organic Babies Softening Baby Lotion. Fragrance-free, our skin-softening baby lotion is rich in Omega-6 fatty acids which help soothe dry and irritated skin.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD HAS SENSITIVE SKIN OR ECZEMA
Sensitive, inflamed skin can be incredibly uncomfortable and may be a sign of childhood eczema.
According to the National Eczema Society, eczema affects 1 in 5 childrenv and eczema flare-ups can be triggered by an allergy to food, pet hair or skin care ingredients.
Identifying your child’s eczema triggers can help you to manage the condition. Keeping a food diary will help you to detect if a food is triggering their eczema. Alternatively, your GP may be able to arrange for your child to undergo allergy testing to help identify their eczema triggers.
Eczema-prone skin can react to harsh ingredients such as SLS, alcohol and synthetic fragrance. To help keep eczema under control and minimise the risk of a flare-up, switch to an SLS-free children’s shampoo and bath wash, and be sure to apply a skin-protecting salve to any areas of dry, sore skin.
For more advice on managing childhood eczema, read our essential guide to allergies and eczema in babies and children.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD HAS URTICARIA (HIVES)
Urticaria, also known as Hives or Nettle Rash, can make the skin feel hot and bothered and, whilst it can develop when the skin comes into contact with common allergens such as nickel or latex, it can also be a sign of stress or overheating.
Knowing what’s triggering your child’s Urticaria is key to managing it. Like eczema, keeping a food diary may help you to discover an allergy trigger. Additionally, avoiding synthetically fragranced skin care may also help minimise the risk of hives recurring.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD HAS A SKIN RASH
Seeing a rash on your child’s skin can be alarming and because rashes can be a sign of a serious medical condition, it is imperative that you seek medical attention for any skin rash that is accompanied by a fever or is causing your child distress.
Skin rashes can also be a sign of common medical conditions such as prickly heat. This inflammatory condition often appears when the skin is exposed to high temperatures and should your child develop prickly heat, you may find our essential guide to managing prickly heat helpful.
A skin rash may also be a sign that the child cannot tolerate an ingredient in their skin care. Whilst many believe that natural ingredients are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than synthetic ingredients, the skin can react to all sorts of allergens.
If you believe your child’s rash has been caused by their skin care, the best thing to do is to stop using the product or products with immediate effect. Once the rash has faded, support the skin barrier by applying our Mum & Baby Rescue Balm to the affected area. Made with organic Shea butter and skin-calming Calendula, this non-aqueous cream gently nourishes dry skin to leave it feeling soft and soothed. If the rash does not fade it is best to seek advice from your GP or pharmacist.
Does your child have a skin allergy? Join the conversation @GreenPeopleUK or by commenting in the section below.
[i] https://www.allergyuk.org/assets/000/001/369/Stats_for_Website_original.pdf?1505209830
[ii] https://www.allergyuk.org/information-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/47-about-allergy
[iii] https://patient.info/health/viral-rashes/features/rashes-every-parent-should-be-aware-of
[iv] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/common-skin-conditions/
[v] http://www.eczema.org/what-is-eczema
