DRY, ATOPIC ECZEMA-PRONE SKIN?
DON’T SCRATCH!

Article Read Duration 3 min read

If your child has dry skin and an itchy eczema rash, the biggest temptation is to scratch the lesions, resulting in an itch-scratch cycle. Here are some top tips you can read together to help your child understand that scratching is skin’s worst enemy and to empower them with tools to avoid the urge to scratch. You can tackle this problem from different angles. First, have your child carry an instant itch-relieving product in their pocket at all times. This will act as a beneficial scratch substitute. Second, find ways of diverting your child’s attention from that all-too-annoying itch. You can use distraction techniques to keep their hands busy with activities like play, doodling, or crafting, or even think about teaching them Mindfulness to stop those intrusive thoughts about scratching.

DRY ITCHY ATOPIC ECZEMA,
I JUST WANT TO SCRATCH IT!

ITCHING IS ONE OF THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF ATOPIC ECZEMA

If you have dry skin and atopic eczema, you have probably been told not to scratch. But atopic eczema can be so itchy and the more people tell you not to scratch, the more you want to, right? When you scratch, it takes away the itch - for a while at least.
So why is everyone always telling you to stop scratching?

SCRATCHING DRY ITCHY ATOPIC ECZEMA,
A QUICK FIX THAT BACKFIRES

Atopic eczema can go away if you don’t scratch

The truth is, scratching dry, itchy skin actually makes things worse. When you scratch, your fingernails hurt your skin and it gets all inflamed (red and angry). And guess what? This makes your skin even itchier. So the more you scratch, the itchier you get and the worse your eczema becomes… And you get stuck in an itch-scratch trap!

TIPS TO STOP SCRATCHING!

Atopic eczema is a dry skin condition that can be managed with a few simple tips

You’ve got to do something about that itchy atopic eczema rash – it’s hard to resist the urge to scratch! So what can you do instead?

  • Whenever you feel the urge to scratch, you need a magic solution to zap the itch straight away. Luckily, an anti-itching magic wand exists! It’s yourStick. Swirling it around on the itchy spot takes away the itch, but without hurting your skin like nails do. It’s a quick fix without all the problems that scratching causes. You’ll feel better in 2 seconds flat, we promise.
  • When dry skin itches, it’s often hard to think about anything else. And the more you think about it, the more it goes round and round your head in circles, and you can’t get it out of your mind! That’s why you have to find ways of distracting yourself. Hands love having something to do, so do something else with yours! Play a game with your friends, catch up on some crafting or grab your pens and draw, colour or simply doodle. Get your hands busy, focus on something else and you’ll soon forget about the itch! Download our fun colouring sheets HERE.
  • If your dry skin itches, one final smart tip to avoid the itch-scratch trap is called Mindfulness. Have you heard of it? Ask your parent or teacher to help you look into it, or download an app. It’s all about stopping those annoying thoughts in your head that say “scratch! scratch! scratch!” and learning to clear your mind… So you can think about something far more enjoyable than that annoying itch!
  • Remember to keep looking after your skin even when your skin doesn’t feel so itchy. Put on your atopic-prone skin cream after every shower or bath to keep your skin nice and moist. Why? That way, you’re making it all the harder for rashes to come back too often and annoy you!

THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO REMEMBER?
DON’T SCRATCH DRY SKIN

So don’t forget, although it might feel good to start with, scratching is one of your dry, atopic eczema-prone skin’s worst enemies. The more you scratch, the itchier you become! Your Stick is your magic wand – so reach for it and zap that itch on the spot! Finally, look for other ways to keep your hands busy and your mind occupied with other more enjoyable activities. You’ll be sure to kick the itch-scratch habit in no time!

TRUE
OR FALSE

TO PUT AN END TO DRY SKIN, IT'S IMPORTANT
TO KEEP HYDRATED.

TRUE

Eczema is caused by a deficiency in skin’s natural protective layer of lipids (its barrier function). That’s why it’s important to keep dry eczema-prone skin hydrated using a targeted moisturiser regularly and consistently, with appropriate skincare products such as Lipikar Baume AP+ or Lipikar Fluide.
Learn More

SCRATCHING ECZEMA
STOPS IT FROM ITCHING.

FALSE

Scratching triggersthe vicious circle of atopy: fingernails damage the already fragile skin,allowing more allergens and irritant agents to penetrate, leading to even more scratching and more damaged skin. LIPIKAR Baume AP+ replenishes skins’ surface lipids, helping to space out flare-ups and reducing night-time scratching byhalf.
Learn More

DRYING YOUR SKIN WITH
A HAIRDRYER CAN HELP YOUR ECZEMA.

FALSE

This is highly NOT recommended.Drying with a hair dryer is a potential eczema trigger that can cause flare-upsby “attacking” the skin and destroying the lipid film that protects it, furtheraggravating dry skin eczema. Worse still, it could burn your delicate skin.
Learn More

ATOPIC DERMATITIS
CAN BE CONTAGIOUS.

FALSE

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a genetic disease and is in no way contagious. The treatment for atopic dermatitis symptoms is based on soap substitutes, emollients and topical corticosteroids.
Learn More

DISCOVER THE OTHER
PRODUCTS OF THE RANGE

LIPIKAR is Europe’s #1 bodycare and hygiene range,  with products suitable for the whole family, from newborns to seniors. 

OUR SAFETY
COMMITMENTS

Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.

laroche posay safety commitment product allergy tested model close up

100% PRODUCTS
ALLERGY TESTED

See More
One Prerequisite = Zero Allergic reactions
If we detect a single case, we go back to the labs and reformulate
laroche posay safety commitment essential active dose product head

JUST THE ESSENTIAL,
AT THE RIGHT ACTIVE DOSE

See More
Developed in collaboration with dermatologist and toxicologist, our products contain only the necessary ingredients, at the right active dose.
laroche posay safety commitment sensitive skin model baby

TESTED
ON VERY SENSITIVE
 SKIN

See More
Our products' tolerance is verified on the most sensitive skin: reactive, allergic, acne-prone, atopic, damaged or weakened by cancer treatments.
laroche posay safety commitment formula protection product head

FORMULA PROTECTION
OVER TIME

See More
We select the most protective packaging associated with only the necessary preservatives, to guarantee intact tolerance and efficacy over time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT
WHAT IS ECZEMA