Siblings and Sensitivities: Caring for Siblings of Kids with Eczema

When your child has atopic dermatitis or eczema, because of his or her young age, extra care is required to keep the symptoms at bay. Bathing, moisturizing and application of medications all take a significant amount of time and attention, which may have their siblings jealous of the extra care they’re receiving. If chronic itching is causing sleep loss not just for the child but the whole family, it can lead to crankiness, causing additional strain in the family.

Here, we offer you some tips on how to deal with and care for siblings of children with eczema.

Talk to your children about eczema

Communication is key to almost everything. Remember to talk to your children first and foremost about the condition and its characteristics, for them to know what and why it’s occurring. Setting the condition in context to daily life will prepare them to live with eczema for the long run. This will also be a good opportunity for you to inform them who to turn to with any questions or little worries.

Involve the siblings in the skin care regimen

One of the ways you can ensure that your child with eczema gets the attention he or she needs and deserves while not having the siblings feel left out, is by getting them involved with the entire child skin care regimen. They can be your extra eyes and ears to help you track what’s going on, and it can also establish a positive sibling bond.

Remember, everyone likes feeling needed and valued. Older siblings can help with the skin care regimen for their sibling with eczema. Ask for their help with simple tasks such as applying moisturizer after bath, applying emollient to ease the itch, or have them divert their attention away from the itch by doing something fun to do.

Restrict products ONLY when necessary

Labelling powders, soaps, and skin products at home as “special” or solely for the child with eczema can make the sibling feel left out. While siblings of a child with eczema have an increased risk of getting it themselves, some research has shown that early application of emollients can prevent eczema from developing, especially when applied daily. Everyday products do not need to be restricted.

Gentle products are good for everyone and this is not limited to skin products. Switching to hypoallergenic clothing or organic cotton clothing will not only benefit your family’s skin, but also the environment, as manufacturing of organic products does not require chemicals. While siblings can benefit from the use of moisturizers, eczema treatment creams should not be shared, and neither should cloths, because children with eczema are at higher risk of cross contamination, and are more likely to experience skin infections.

One-on-one time

Giving all your children some individual attention will assure them that they are important to you. It also gives you time to focus or get familiar with the hobbies or activities that are important to them. A one-on-one does not need to be serious talk about eczema. A simple cuddle time or “hang out” will eliminate the feeling of being left out.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented on Cottonique is not, and will never be, intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content materials found on this site, from text, treatments, outcomes, charts, graphics, photographs, and study findings, are created and published for general informational purposes only. It should not, in any way, be construed as a standard of care to be followed by a user of the website. 

Thus, readers are encouraged to verify any information obtained from this website with other accurate references and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with their physician. As Cottonique strives to help those with allergies live with better days, the hypoallergenic apparel brand encourages everyone to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.