Playing Sport with AD

An important way to keep on top of our physical and mental well-being is to partake in sports activities. This however can be trickier with AD. Check out the article below for some tips that may help make playing sport a little easier for you or your child.

The ability to play sport is something that can easily be taken for granted however, if you or your son or daughter suffers with eczema, playing a sport you love may, at times seem more like a chore than a hobby. Eczema foundation found that just 78% of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) played sport, compared to 92% of their class mates². There may be something preventing you or your child from participating in sport and so we have compiled some tips below which may help you or your child carry on playing the sport you love, whilst taking care of your/their skin.

Before:

1. Clothes:

The clothes you decide to wear are important as clothing is known to be a trigger for eczema. Wear loose fitting, cotton clothes and ensure that all new clothes have been washed using a fragrance and dye free detergent³. Avoid synthetics such as polyester and spandex around tight areas as these materials are poorly breathable⁴.

You may find that the seam of clothes is an irritant for your or your child’s skin. If this is the case, have you considered covering the seam in a material such as silk? Finally, if possible, dry your clothes in a drier, rather than a clothesline as the clothes will be softer, reducing the risk of irritation³.

2. Moisturise:

It is advised to moisturise an hour before exercise with a light applicant ointment as this will protect your skin⁴. Whilst you may reach for the deodorant before you exercise, it is important to note that it is recommended to only apply fragrance free deodorant after you exercise as deodorant can interact with sweat and result in irritation².

During:

If you suffer from an intense itch during exercise, you are all too familiar with the sensation, but do you know why it happens?

The answer can be due to multiple reasons! Two of the main culprits are heat and sweat. Sudden changes in body temperature have been shown to cause a flare-up and lead to an itch. To try and combat extreme changes in temperature, our body sweats. Sweat contains sodium which when it comes into contact with skin, will dehydrate it, causing stinging and itching. This is significantly worse for those with eczema².

Tips to reduce itch include; avoiding exercise in direct sunlight to avoid over-heating, training progressively so your body can build-up to a higher intensity, opt for exercises where the sweat can evaporate properly and have a towel that you can gently wipe away any sweat carefully^2,4. Another very important tip is to stay hydrated. You should drink plenty of cold water to replace the water lost when sweating and ensure you take regular breaks to re-hydrate⁴. Reduce the intensity when you feel yourself over-heating and avoid high-intensity exercise during a flare^2,3.

After:

If you feel like you’ve over-heated, a cool compression wrap may be good to cool your body down and calm the itch⁴. You should also aim to shower as soon as possible after exercise to remove the sweat from your/your child’s skin. Opt for a warm (not hot) shower and use a cleanser that you know works for your skin. Once out the shower, gently pat (avoid rubbing) yourself/your child dry with a clean, dry towel and moisturise immediately afterwards³.

Finally, find what works for you:

It is widely acknowledged that exercise is a great stress-reliever and therefore, whether you or your child is noticeably stressed or not, being able to exercise is a great way to combat these feelings. There is no one way to exercise if you suffer with AD. You may find some sports work well for others but not for yourself, or even what you can and can’t participate may vary depending on if you’re having a flare up⁴. What is important is you find the right sport for you or your child because why should your AD stop you from doing something you love?