Hot weather tips to keep skin rash symptoms in check!

When the weather warms up, if you’re like many of my clients, your child’s skin gets worse.

It’s not a coincidence, unfortunately.

Sweat, heat, and sun can trigger rashes like eczema and even cause hives.

Sweat: Sweat cools the skin, contains properties that naturally moisturize the skin, that are antimicrobial, and help maintain the skin microbiome in a healthy balance.

But sweat is a common skin irritant.

People with eczema have a different composition of sweat than those without eczema and may have lower levels of certain substances in their sweat, meaning it contains less natural moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. This may mean an increase in drier skin after sweating and a higher likelihood of skin infections. Which can cause more itching.

People with eczema also may sweat less than those without eczema. With less sweating, the skin retains more heat, becomes dry, and is more prone to itching and infection.

Heat: Hot temperatures can worsen skin symptoms because it leads to the dilation of blood vessels which happens to help the body cool down, but this also triggers inflammation, leading to itching (skin inflammation is a driver of itch).

Hot weather also leads to more sweating, another common skin irritant, especially in people with eczema.

Sun: Generally speaking, the sun is your friend if you have eczema (hello, VITAMIN D! We need sunlight on our skin to make this powerhouse vitamin, and there are some significant correlations between low levels of vitamin D and worsening of chronic skin rashes like eczema). For some, though, the sun isn’t tolerated, it’s hot, and can cause sweating, which then leads to itching or, in some people, photosensitivity and hives, which is an immune system reaction that is triggered by sunlight.

For dealing with flares during hot weather, here are some of my favorite strategies:

• Play outside during cooler times of day (avoid 10 am - 2 pm when it's usually the hottest out).

• Keep dry/wipe off sweat.

• Bathe/shower after getting sweaty.

• Use a thinner lotion or oil for moisture during hot weather.

• Use cool wash clothes/towels on the skin.

• Use AC, fans, etc., indoors to keep the environment cool.

• Drink lots of cool water and add ice.

• Wear loose cotton clothing.

The BEST strategy, however, is getting to the root cause of the problem.

If you need help doing that, I've got you covered, whether you're more of a DIY enthusiast or are looking for private support and guidance!

CLICK HERE to see how we can work together to help your child.

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Is low filaggrin contributing to your child’s rashes?

Filaggrin is a protein in the skin critical for maintaining your child's skin barrier, and preventing leaky skin. 

The FLG gene makes this protein. Genetic mutations in it can lead to low filaggrin levels.⁠

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Inflammation and environmental factors like irritating substances, low humidity, chilly weather, and pollution can also cause low filaggrin. ⁠

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Low filaggrin can really mess with your child's skin. 

It increases skin pH, making it more alkaline. Skin pH needs to be acidic. 

It causes leaky skin. 

It increases the risk of allergen exposure (through leaky skin), and the development of food and environmental allergies.

It leads to dry skin. 

It's a big contributor to itchy skin.  

It’s a key factor in the development of eczema.⁠

It’s also associated with asthma.

There isn’t an easy way to diagnose low filaggrin but if your child has super dry elephant/alligator skin, eczema, asthma, and is irritated by water (like plain old bath/shower water) they likely have low levels.

If you need help, I've got you covered. With Conquer Your Child's Rashesᵀᴹ (CYCRᵀᴹ) Online, we dive super deep into what's going on with your child's skin from the outside in, and what you can do to best support what's happening ON your child's skin, while we work on those internal root causes for the problem. The first module of the course is dedicated to this! To learn more and get started RIGHT NOW --> CLICK HERE

If you’re struggling to figure out where to even start getting to the bottom of this for your child and need some direction, I can help you determine the best next steps. BOOK YOUR STRATEGY SESSION!

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Water-Based Moisturizers, Yay Or Nay?

The problem with water-based moisturizers for eczema…

Trying to find a product to use on your child’s rashy skin can feel like throwing darts in the dark. I bet you have tried more lotions, creams, and ointments than you can count, am I right??

Some products burn or sting, some seem to make the problem worse, and others don’t do anything at all.

Everyone is different, so unfortunately, there isn’t a particular product that I can say, “Here, this will help!”

But what I can tell you is that there are certain things you want to avoid.

One is water-based products. Lotions, for example, tend to be primarily made of water. That means they evaporate fast and might also contain preservatives that burn sensitive, broken skin. 

Water is also alkaline, which is not good for the skin. Skin is acidic, and making it alkaline dries it out even more, leading to… you guessed it, a worsening of your child’s skin problems.

Look for products that are oil-based instead. The more oil, the better it tends to be for eczema-prone skin. Moisturizers that feel greasy (like creams and ointments) are more effective for keeping skin hydrated, and for keeping irritants out.

If you need help, I've got you covered. With Conquer Your Child's Rashesᵀᴹ (CYCRᵀᴹ) Online, we dive super deep into what's going on with your child's skin from the outside in, and what you can do to best support what's happening ON your child's skin, while we work on those internal root causes for the problem. The first module of the course is dedicated to this! To learn more and get started RIGHT NOW --> CLICK HERE

Your child's skin biome + their itchy rashes

Let's dive right into an often overlooked aspect of your child's skin rash struggles... their skin microbiome!

Ever wonder about the community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses living on your child's skin?

If not, I bet you do now 

Let's talk skin flora - the heroes (and sometimes villains) of those tiny ecosystems we call kids!

What's the Deal with Skin Flora?

Your child's skin is an active ecosystem of millions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses – collectively known as the skin microbiome. When these guys (and gals) are harmoniously balanced, life is good!

They work together to create a protective shield, guarding against unwanted invaders from the outside world.

But When the Balance Tips... Houston, We Have a Problem

When the skin flora gets out of balance, it can get itchy.   A dysbiotic situation (when the flora is out of whack) can break down the skin barrier, making it leaky and, you guessed it, itchy.

Different Strokes for Different Folks (and Body Parts!)

Interestingly, the makeup of skin flora varies in different locations!

Moist spots (hello, elbow and knee creases!) might get overrun with Staphylococcus, the uninvited guest known to worsen eczema and itch.

On the other hand, fungal flora, like Malassezia, is more likely to cause problems on the core, armpits, feet, and even the scalp (cue cradle cap).

And those viruses 

Viruses like Molluscum and hand, foot, and mouth disease can add their own flavor to the mix. These party crashers are more about the person than the location on the body.

What you can do about it

One of my all-time favorite strategies for helping to balance the skin microbiome is using probiotics on the skin.

MegaSporeBiotic can be used on the skin! Open a capsule, use a moisturizer of choice on the skin, sprinkle on a little MegaSpore, massage it in, and leave it on.

Raw fermented sauerkraut juice can be used on the skin, too. Dab a cotton ball moistened with kraut juice on rashes.

There are also a variety of commercially available products that contain probiotics and even prebiotics for the skin.

Respond to this email and LMK...

Have you tried probiotics on your child's skin? 

Your guide to healthy skin, 

Jennifer

PS. I'll be totally transparent here, this is one of the hardest parts of the journey. That's for two reasons:

1) Everyone is different, and

2) Skin problems are more than skin deep, and an “inside-out” approach can be necessary to get to the root cause of the problem

If you need help, I've got you covered. With Conquer Your Child's Rashesᵀᴹ (CYCRᵀᴹ) Online, we dive super deep into what's going on with your child's skin from the outside in! The first module is dedicated to this, and we start there because when I've asked what your biggest challenge is, for most, it's managing your child's skin symptoms.

*Always read labels to make sure it’s safe for your child. Try options one at a time, and spot-check before using broadly.

Soothing Baths For Your Kid's Itchy Skin

Baths can have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits and can be super helpful for managing your kiddo’s skin symptoms, like the itch.⁠
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Here are some of my favs:⁠
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👉🏻Apple cider vinegar can balance skin pH levels and manage infection and inflammation. Dilute 1/4 to 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar in warm bath water. Soak for 10-20 minutes.⁠
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👉🏻Epsom salt may help decrease itching, inflammation, and redness and assist with detoxification. Use 2 cups for a full bath, 1 cup for a half bath, and 1/8 cup for a baby bath. Dissolve in warm bath water. Soak for 10-20 minutes.⁠
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👉🏻Baking soda may help prevent eczema flare-ups, reduce symptoms, draw impurities and toxins out of the skin, and boost immunity. However, it’s also alkaline, so it may strip the skin of its protective natural oils and disrupt the skin flora, especially if overused. 1/8 to 1/4 cup of baking soda. Dissolve in warm bath water. Soak for 10-20 minutes.⁠
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👉🏻Colloidal oatmeal can have potent anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and antioxidant benefits for the skin. Grind 1 cup gluten-free oats for a full bath and 1/3 cup for a baby bath (use a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder). When the oatmeal dissolves by putting a small amount in a glass of warm water, you’re ready to add the oats to a bath. Add oats until the water is milky in color. Soak for 10-15 minutes.⁠
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👉🏻Rice starch has antioxidant properties and may reduce skin irritation, improve and repair the skin barrier, promote healing, and balance sebum production. Add 2 heaping Tbsp of rice starch to a baby bath, 4 heaping Tbsp to a medium bath, or 7 heaping Tbsp to a normal-sized bath. The water should look milky in color. Soak for 10-15 minutes. ⁠
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👉🏻Dead sea salt. Dissolve Dead Sea Salts into warm bath water: 2 cups for a full bath, 1 cup for 1/2 a bath, and 1/8 cup for a baby bath. Soak for 20 minutes.⁠
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👉🏻Plain water versus bleach baths. A safe dilution of bleach in bathwater isn’t potent enough to kill S. aureus on the skin. If bleach baths have helped your child, it might actually be due to the water and not the bleach. Do not increase a bleach bath dilution; it can damage the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and even cause permanent damage to these delicate tissues.

*Always read labels to make sure it’s safe for your child. Using food-based ingredients on the skin can increase the risk of developing food allergies. If your child is already eating the foods and tolerates them, there’s less of a concern. If your child hasn’t eaten those foods yet or has allergies to them, avoid use on the skin.

What baths help your kid get some relief? LMK👇🏼

Should Your Child's Skin Be Acidic?

Maintaining the right skin pH is critical for helping with your child’s itchy, rashy skin. ⁠
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On the pH scale, 7 and higher is basic (alkaline), and 7 and lower is acidic. ⁠
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Skin pH is slightly acidic and that helps keep the skin barrier functioning the way it’s supposed to. ⁠
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When skin pH gets disrupted, you get leaky skin, and dry, itchy rashes. ⁠
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Even an increased colonization of problematic skin bacteria, like Staph aureus!⁠
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Avoid making your child’s skin alkaline! Things that contribute to that are: ⁠
👉🏻Hard water⁠
👉🏻Many if not most soaps, cleansers, and moisturizers (even natural products)⁠
👉🏻Over use of baking soda baths⁠
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Other factors that play a role in skin pH:⁠
👉🏻Lighter skin is slightly more alkaline than darker skin⁠
👉🏻Skin pH differs from body part to body part (i.e. armpits and private regions have higher pHs, which can be why those areas are more problematic in some kids)⁠
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There are sooo many other factors, too.⁠
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To learn more, and get strategies to help your child’s skin heal from the outside in, get my Free Guide “Ditch the Itch!”⁠

Is your child's skin itchier at night? It's not a coincidence...

If your child can’t sleep because of their itchy rashes, it’s not just because there’s nothing else to focus on while lying there.⁠
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Changes happen in the body at night that can make itch worse, including:⁠
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👉Skin gets leakier
👉Skin gets drier
👉Blood vessels dilate and constrict more, which increases histamine
👉Immune cytokines (other than histamine) are more active at night, increasing immune responses, including those that trigger itch symptoms
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What you can do about it:

👉Take an antihistamine before bed. There are natural options, too, like quercetin, vitamin c, and immunoglobulins⁠.
👉Moisturize before bed⁠
👉Try a therapeutic massage with that moisturizer! It’s a great bonding strategy, and it’s relaxing.⁠
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Is your child itchier at night? LMK👇️⁠

For some tips that can help, get my free guide, Ditch the Itch!