The Eczema and Sports Survival Guide: How to Keep Your Active Teen Comfortable

From hockey and wrestling to volleyball and swimming, sports are a great way for teens to stay fit, build confidence, and learn skills that will follow them well into adulthood. But when your teen also has moderate-to-severe eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis), being active can exacerbate symptoms.

“Sweating, heat, stress, friction from equipment and environmental factors like dry air, low humidity, or extremes of hot or cold temperatures associated with training or meets are all common triggers,” says Shira Wieder, MD, a dermatologist at Montefiore Einstein in the Bronx, New York.

But that doesn’t mean your teen should shy away from being active. Here’s what you need to know to help your young athlete care for their skin while staying in the game.

“It’s also important to clean the athletic gear immediately after use, not share equipment with others, and use fragrance-free detergents to clean while minimizing skin irritation,” says Dr. Wieder.

She recommends washing uniforms, washable equipment, and towels with hot water and drying them by machine to maximize the ability to kill bacteria. This is especially important for people with atopic dermatitis to avoid secondary infections. For equipment that can’t be washed and hard surfaces, wipe them down with a disinfectant, such as Clorox or Lysol, and allow them to completely dry before storing to reduce bacterial and fungal growth.

And while it’s easy for teens to forget about the infection risks of sharing things with teammates, Wieder stresses the importance of not swapping towels, razors, hair brushes, or any other personal items.

A skin-prep routine is another good option for teen athletes to avoid unwanted flares. Before games or practices, Wieder recommends applying a fragrance-free moisturizer certified by the National Eczema Association to the whole body, paying special attention to the areas that are in contact with sports equipment most. This will help create an additional barrier against sweat and any irritating materials. For flares during the game or practice, Wieder suggests reapplying the moisturizer and, if needed, prescription topicals, though these may take longer to work. Anti-chafing products, such as Glide or 3M Cavilon spray, are also good to have on hand for immediate relief for any irritated areas, she adds.

Immediately changing out of sweaty clothes and gear is a must, followed by a quick, lukewarm or cool shower. Your teen should avoid hot showers, as the warmer water strips the skin of essential oils, causing further irritation. Have your teen use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and apply moisturizer within 90 seconds of stepping out of the shower.

“For athletes with recurrent impetigo infections, diluted bleach baths or mupirocin two percent ointment can be very helpful to prevent infection,” says Wieder.

Depending on where the sport is played, teens with atopic dermatitis may have different triggers.

If your teen is avoiding sports due to the discomfort of flare-ups or the stigma they may feel around the condition, encourage them to speak directly with their coaches or other adults involved. Guide them through communicating about the condition and the types of support they may need, such as additional breaks during practice or games to address flares or modified gear.

For additional support, Wieder also recommends joining groups such as the National Eczema Association and MyEczemaTeam to learn from others navigating life with atopic dermatitis.

• Teenagers with atopic dermatitis who want to play sports can do so with a bit of prep work, such as wearing barriers of protection between the skin and irritating uniforms and gear.
• Showering in lukewarm or cool water immediately after playing sports is essential to preventing flare-ups from sweat.
• Think about where your teen is playing and which triggers you’ll need to manage, such as allergy medication for playing in a grassy field. Teach your teen to share information about the condition with coaches, and encourage them to seek out support groups with others who understand the challenges of playing sports with eczema.