Watching your child suffer through a skin condition can be just as painful for you. You want your child to be healthy and happy. While a skin condition might not seem like much, it can be traumatizing for a young child. Here are some tips on how you can learn more about your child’s condition and how to help.
Pay Attention to Patterns
Does the skin condition flare up at specific times throughout the year (such as winter)? Does the skin condition flare up when the child plays with a friend’s pet? Did your child develop the condition after starting school or after using a new soap? Does it happen in certain areas of the body or all over? Does it hurt or itch? Do you or anyone else in your family have similar conditions? Have they started new medications? You need to make a point to pay attention to as many details as possible to help you pinpoint the cause and what might be exacerbating the problem. Talk to your child to get any information you aren’t sure of.
Go to a Dermatologist
Go to a dermatologist and get advice from the experts. Get a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. Your doctor can give you advice on how to get rid of the problem as quickly as possible in the safest way possible. They can also provide you with atopic dermatitis resources for you to learn more on your own at home.
Make Simple Life Changes
You may need to make some simple changes at home to help get rid of the problem. Start with not putting your child in extremely hot baths or showers. You should also start to use moisturizer. Even drinking more water can help the skin look better.
Instill Confidence
Children can be cruel and make fun of your child for their skin condition. Do what you can as the parent to make your child confident and strong. Make sure they know that it’s easier to fix bad skin than a mean heart. Also, they should know that they are beautiful in other ways, but their skin is beautiful, too. It’s how God made them, so it’s beautiful. Plus, beauty comes from the inside. When you teach your child confidence, they won’t have any trouble with the kids at school.
Skin conditions can be frustrating, but they are manageable. Be patient with your child and help teach them how to manage it themselves.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She enjoys Tennis and spending time with her family.