[HollyOllyOxenfre...]

DS gets a little bit of eczema, mainly behind his knees and a little bit on his arms. We're doing swimming lessons and the chlorine has been quite strong, and it seems to be flaring up the eczema on his arms. I've been showering him and moisturising as soon as we're out of the pool, but his arms are still flaring up. His arms don't seem to bother him, but his knees are obviously itching even in the pool - we'll be floating and he's using his toes to scratch behind his knee.

Is there anything I can do before we get in the pool to try and minimise the impact? Yesterday I covered him in moisturiser before we left the house, so about half an hour before we got in the pool, but it didn't seem to do much except make him a bit more slippery. Treating it after the fact is working, but if I can stop it getting bad in the first place it would obviously be preferable.

Thanks

[bek_p]

Not sure if its true but vasso b4 you get in I did work experience in a pool and had chlorine burn and that was suggested

[erypmaV]

My DD has the same problem.
I'm told that there are chlorine neutralising soaps and sprays that you can use afterwards to reduce the problem, but we haven't had a chance to try them yet. Generally the active ingredient is vitamin C, so you could always just try some powered vitamin C in a liquid soap.

[chookpea]

DS gets it behind his knees, inside his elbows and under his eyes.

My GP recommended covering the area in vaseline before swimming as it acts as a barrier. I haven't done this so not sure if it works...his swim class is first thing in the morning so it's the last thing on my mind!

She also prescribed Sigmacort which I use sparingly after his shower which helped immensely. He doesn't get it at all now.

HTH

[Lorikant]

Hi there,
DD has the same issue and I use A'Kin bottom balm all over her prior to her lessons. It's parabin and perfume free and it works well. We also use QV flare up shower wash on her immediately after she finishes her lesson as I found letting, her wait until we got home for. Bath made it worse. Good luck I hope you find something that helps.

[JKC81]

try dermeze ointment, its in a white tub with a blue label. Its a lot like vaseline and its around $16 for 500g so should last ages, from the chemist. Put it on before going into the pool and then after the pool. Also try bathing in Alhpa kerri bath oil and maybe get a steroid ointment from your gp

This post has been edited by JKC81: 22/11/2012, 09:10 AM

[mummacat]

We had the same problem and ended up having to stop swimming lessons as it was all over DS1 body. He was a red and bloody mess from the scratching. DS1 was not listening in class as he was so itchy he was just trying to scratch in the pool.

That said it was a little indoor swimming pool and you nearly pasted out when you walked in the door from the chlorine fumes.

We have since gone to the newer larger pool twice and have not had as much issues. What I did was layer him up with Dermeze moisturiser just before we left to go to the pool. Dermeze is 100% paraffin and has a consistence similar to vaseline. I also shower him at the pool and apply Dermeze again at the pool.

I think the main thing is that you need to keep their skin well moisturised all the time.

I need to re-enrol him in swimming lessons now since his skin has gotten better.

This post has been edited by mummacat: 22/11/2012, 09:20 AM

[Luvmy4]

we used a base massage oil like apricot, avocado or grapeseed oil before swimming nothing petroleum based as this can flare the eczema. Just rub it in where ever needed.

[HollyOllyOxenfre...]

thanks everyone

we use QV moisturiser at the moment, and have sigmacort for flare ups but I only like to use this sparingly. will look into the Dermeze and the QV flare up range. we're lucky that it isn't too severe, but I don't want to let it get worse

[raone]

You could try a barrier cream. It soaks into the skin so at least he wont be slippery. I used to use tough hands from the supermarket because my hands were constantly wet at work. But it all depends on the severity.