Is your little one being invited to sleepovers? This can be a challenging (and complicated!) time for parents of children with eczema! There is a battle between wanting to make sure your child has an active social life and making sure that their friends’ homes are eczema-friendly. Sounds impossible, right? What can you do to make sure that your child will have a fun and safe sleepover experience? Here are some tips:
Put together a sleep away kit.
When your eczema child is invited to a sleepover at a friend’s house, you can pack a skin care kit containing all of their essential skin care products. Maybe include a little explanation of what to use when and how to use it so that their friend’s parents know what to do in an emergency flare-up.
This can include:
- Hypoallergenic sheets, blankets, and pillows
- Lotions and moisturizers
- Soaps, shampoos, etc.
- Medications if applicable
It might also be helpful to pack long sleeved pajamas to protect their skin against the elements of another person’s house like dust, pet hair, etc.
Communicate!
Talk to the parents or hosts of where your child is staying over. Let them know that your child has eczema, introduce them to the sleep away kit, and let them know what sparks a flare up. Let them know what your child needs, but also be sure to make it as easy as possible for everyone involved (including your child). Try and prepare them in advance so that they have time to make accommodations for your child.
The Take Away
A little preparation can go a long way to making sure your child has a positive experience sleeping away from home. It might be a little time consuming to prepare a sleep away kit or a little uncomfortable to speak to other parent’s about eczema, but it will all be worth it!