Winter is here even if the snow isn’t. Actually, it is finally snowing out today. The weather has been really strange here for this time of year. We’ll have days of bitter cold and wind with blowing snow followed by days on end of rain and mild temps and then a return of the cold cold. It’s hard on the mood and the little ones. They want to go outside and play but the weather isn’t cooperating. When it’s not raining, it’s so cold that their skin becomes so dry and chapped. The winter weather is even harder for little ones with eczema, something we’ve been dealing with for a lot of years. Compensation for this post was provided by Eucerin via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Eucerin or Momtrends. We recently tried Eucerin Eczema Relief Flare-Up Treatment and Eczema Relief Body Cream as part of our daily routine for our family’s irritated skin. It’s really made a difference for me and today I am sharing some tips for easing eczema.
Wintertime Tips for Easing Eczema
Eczema tends to flare up most for our family during the winter, when skin is very dry. For our littlest who’s still getting teeth and drooling more than normal, his skin is especially more prone to flare ups right now. There are several things we do on a daily basis to keep our skin feeling good through the winter months so we can enjoy activities we love like heading to the water park for a few days over Christmas break.
Moisturize Daily
I know this seems obvious but if moisturizing doesn’t become part of a daily routine it is easy to skip or forget, especially when you’re applying creams or moisturizers to young children. We try to make it part of our routine twice a day. First in the morning when we are dressing them for the day and second as part of the bedtime routine, either after bath on bath days or as we’re getting pajamas on for the night.
Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D. recommends moisturizing frequently with a fragrance, dye, and steroid free moisturizer like Eucerin Eczema Relief products, and their Baby Eczema Relief for babies and toddlers. The Eucerin mormulas can be used as many times a day and for as long as needed unlike many prescription creams. The natural colloidal oatmeal soothes the skin while the ceramide enriched formula helps to bolster the skins protective barrier layer. The formula is not greasy which is something that is really important to my kids. They really dislike creams or lotions that leave them greasy especially when they get hot and sweaty at night.
Add Humidity to the Air
The winter months mean the furnace runs a lot and the more the furnace runs the dryer the air becomes. Dry air, especially when coming inside from the cold, can make eczema so much worse. Running a humidifier and keeping the indoor temperature at a point that isn’t too warm or cold can help prevent skin from becoming even more damaged this time of year. Dr. Tenzi recommends running a humidifier at night in the bedroom. Moisturizers work best when the air is humid because the ingredients actually lock hydration against the skin.
Avoid Irritants
Lots of things can trigger skin irritation like laundry soaps, rough scratchy fabrics, smoke (from a fireplace or from someone smoking at a holiday gathering), foods, and pets. Avoid things you or your children are sensitive to. Dress babies and young children in comfortable, cotton clothing that’s been washed in fragrance and dye free laundry detergent. Make sure dryer sheets are fragrance free too!
Use Sunscreen
What?!? Sunscreen is for the beach! So many of us forget how important it is to protect skin from the sun year round. The winter sun can damage skin just as easily as the hot summer rays. Use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF on all areas that are exposed to the sun (I prefer 50 SPF personally). Make sure the sunscreen doesn’t include ingredients that will cause irritation.
Cover and Protect Skin
Whether it gloves to help cover hands and wrists when outside, scarves to cover the neck and cheeks, or plastic gloves to cover hands when cooking and washing dishes where they are constantly going through a wet/dry state, protecting skin is so important this time of year. Make sure to take wet gloves, hats, boots, and socks off of kids (or yourself) right away. Playing in the snow can leave clothing damp and damp clothes are not good for irritated skin causing Eczema flare-ups.
I took a 7 day challenge using Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream and here is what I saw. The first photo is day 1. My hands get terrible this time of year with how cold and dry the air is on top of washing my hands so much with all the baking I do. The 2nd photo is day 3 and the final is day 7. My hands are noticeably healing and they feel so much better.
One reader will win a Eucerin prize pack including Eucerin Eczema Relief Flare-up Treatment and Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme for adults as well as Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Creme and Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Flare-up Treatment for babies. Enter on the Giveaway Tools form below. 
What are your tips for easing eczema?
Erica Putis says
I get severe eczema on my hands during the cold months. This year has been by far the worst. The itch and pain is almost uncontrollable. I can barely even bend my fingers. I’ve bought every over the counter cream you can imagine I got Foderma serum two days ago and I am already amazed. My cracks are almost healed, the burn and itch is almost completely gone and I can bend my fingers again. And that is with only using this serum for two days. I can’t wait to see the results in a week.
Brett says
Oh I feel for you! I hate when its itch and pain. 🙁
trixx says
I use moisturizer right after a shower and drink a ton of water
Lisa L says
I use in-shower lotion the rinses off and then use additional lotion when I come out of the shower
Michelle C says
Drink a lot of water
AEKZ2 says
I use Yu-be cream for my dry skin and eczema
Betty C says
I always moisturize at least twice daily and always before going outside.
kelly g says
I use Aquaphor and drink plenty of water
Donna Kozar says
Definitely use a good moisturizer at least once a day.
Brian E. says
During winter we use an after bath / shower body oil a few times a week to keep our skin healthy i.e. sesame oil
Samantha says
My tip is to always use moisturizer, not just went it’s flaring up!
Dawn Monroe says
I try to keep my skin moisturized and not exposed to the winter weather.
Joann F says
Mine is to take cooler showers!
Denise W says
It’s good old Vaseline, coconut scented preferred.
Francine Anchondo says
Just making sure to apply lotion my skin all the time
Candie L says
We use essentials oils in the detergent. That seems to help him a lot. We can still get nice smelling laundry with no additives. THank you
Ellen S says
my hands are worse than the hands in the photo. I try to remember to use Aquaphor. When it gets really bad, cortisone tape.
Tina Reynolds says
Use a good moisturizer and apply often keeping the skin well moisturized
Priscilla Pursell says
I put a heavy layer of lotion on my hands,than I put on disposable gloves over the lotion. I wear the gloves as much as possible during the day.
laurie murley says
I just apply lots of lotion in the winter time to help mine
Jennifer H. says
My son suffers for Eczema. I have to keep his skin constantly moisturized throughout the winter. No skipping days.
Kathy M. says
My go-to tip for winter eczema relief is to have travel size moisturizers stashed everywhere. In winter coats, backpacks, car, while keeping full-sized near sinks and where you change clothing.
Rebecca Lock says
Drink plenty of water and moisturize after exposure to cold and/or water.
Laurie Emerson says
My go to tip is to keep my hands as moisturized as possible.
Terry Cross says
My tip to use a lot of moisturizer and apply often
Danielle Marie says
stay moisturized as much as possible.
Brenda Fader says
My tip is to use the dishwasher as much as possible; also to involve the kids in the dish washing. My hands get so bad if I expose them to water and detergent for more than a minute.
Jennifer J says
My tip is not to take too hot of a shower and to apply moisturizer right out of the shower. Thanks!!
shirley H says
always use a good lotion
Aubrey says
I use lots of lotion during the winter
Beth Klocinski says
For winter relief I try not to take a shower that is extra hot and I use lotion everyday.
Stephanie Liske says
I use lotion several times a day.. Eczema lotion.
susan smoaks says
i put body butter on my hands to keep them from getting too dry during the winter. it works pretty good but sometimes they do get too dry and crack.
cheryl s says
just make sure to moisturize during the winter
Renee G says
Be sure to wear gloves when you go outside.
Stephanie Larison says
I use even more moisturizer during the winter to help it.
Erica B. says
Just exfoliate and use lots of moisturizer.
Penny Snyder says
I moisturize daily!!!~
Lisa V. says
I just try to moisturize morning and night.
Holley says
Thank you for the tips!
andie says
We’ve found that the Nivea Crème works quite well too. thanks for this!
Ashley C says
Use lots of good moisturizer. When you get up, after a shower and before bed!
jared's mum says
these are great tips for those who suffer eczema, it really gets worse during the cold months that it is a must to do every precaution to keep the itch at bay.
Susan Christy says
It’s hard to do in the winter, but for the sake of my skin and on the recommendation of my dermatologist, I do it – take a tepid shower. Too hot and it aggravates my eczema.
Jennifer Reed says
We put extra lotion on in the winter to combat the dryness and get relief from eczema symptoms. We also take an allergy medication daily to help relieve symptoms.
Jessica To says
I either use Eucerin lotion or Cetaphil lotion in the winter.
Amy Z. says
My tip is to moisturize right after showering.
Kristi C says
I make sure to put on lotion a few times a day.
Yona Williams says
I can really see the difference in your before and after pictures. It’s good to find a product that addresses issues like this. As for the rest of your post, I’ve been looking to add a humidifier to our bedroom.
nannypanpan says
I lotion up every night before bed so it doesn’t get washed off
Ty says
We use coconut oil and run a humidifier which helps hydrate the air since the air is dry in the winter!
John says
Moisturize often.
nickie says
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Trisha Burgess says
I don’t have one yet! I’m new to eczema with my son. I’m trying to find a good remedy!
Charlene S. says
I’m currently using a store brand moisturizing lotion. This time of year you really need to use lotion multiple times a day.
Tricia G says
Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse.
Cassandra Eastman says
I use coconut oil a lot to help!
Amanda Alvarado says
I really haven’t found anything to work with mine. I try to keep it moisturized and that helps some but the constant hand washing and doing dishes doesn’t help!
Marissa M says
Lots of lotion!
Kimberly Bauer says
Oatmeal Baths help.
Jackie says
One of my tips is to be sure to dry your hands well after washing them. Moisturize throughout the day.
Thank you!
Danielle D says
I like to keep my skin moisturized.
Life as a Convert says
My oldest was just showing me some spots on his hand. Eucerin does make some nice creams that help.
June S. says
I use coco butter and rub baby oil in my legs after every shower. My skin gets so dry.
Paol Trenny says
I use alot of coconut oil mixed with tea tree oil.
Petra Sartor says
I always moisturize before going out and before bed. I always wear gloves in winter.
Amber Killmon says
Ouch, the before pics look painful. I’m happy you found relief!
Krystal says
It is certainly the worst this time of year. I use sunscreen and try not to itch.
Donna Ward says
My hubby has issues with eczema on his leg – and I’ve not tried Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream. I definitely will get some – it’s great to know about this. We do live in a dry area and he is out in the sun a lot – Thank you 🙂
Bonnie @wemake7 says
My go to tip is making sure to use plenty of moisturizer. These products are great.
Julie Lundstrom says
I use Eucerin to help get relief.
Dogvills says
I’ve never heard of the Eucrin brand before. I suffer from this from time to time. I could use this.
latanya says
we use natural or organic products
Eileen says
I don’t have eczema, but my hands do get really dry especially in the cold winter air. Keeping them moisturized is definitely really important in the winter.
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
I do not suffer from Eczema, but I do have extremely dry and sensitive skin. I have tried so many lotions and potions over the years. Some work, some work and then stop working and some just don’t work at all.
HS says
I use mild cleanser and apply Cerave cream to soothe skin.
Iveth (fortheloveto.com) says
Just like you my baby gets eczema for this time of the year… moisturizing is the best way to go… this product looks like work really good on your skin … I use Aveeno on my baby skin .. I guess I can give this a try..
thanks for sharing !!
Seyma Shabbir says
I ususally use baby oil and cetaphil!
Sandy Weinstein says
i have never had eczema however, i had a friend yrs ago that had it badly. i think it is good to keep your skin well moisturized. also i think wearing gloves with Eucrin eczema creme at night would really help. keep your hands dry.