Children can be temperamental creatures. When they are suffering from eczema, their mood can worsen. This can make treating their eczema more difficult. If you learn to talk to them about their treatment, it can make the healing process easier on the both of you.
It is best to broach the topic according to age group. Talking about the treatment for eczema in children is a different conversation with a 5 year old than it is with a 12 year old. Therefore, the following tips are broken down into preschool/young children, school children, and teens.
YOUNG CHILDREN- Of course it will be difficult to explain treatment options to the very young. This does not mean that you should make decisions about their treatment without explaining it to them. In basic terms, tell them how the treatment will make them better. Especially if the treatment involves something they do not like, such as a wearing wet bandages or avoiding a favorite food. They may complain less if they know it will stop the itching and hurting they feel.
SCHOOL CHILDREN- Now you are at an age where you can have a more detailed conversation about treatment. You should use days that they are more uncomfortable as times to broach subjects you are worried about, such as uncomfortable treatments and withholding favorite treats. This will make the point of “if you do this, this discomfort will stop” more understandable and memorable. On days that they are not suffering, try to reinforce your decisions by pointing out how good they feel because they stuck to their treatment.
TEENS- At this age, your child should be able to understand the details and fundamental points about how to cure eczema. They have a better understanding of how the immune system works. Therefore, they will understand why they must avoid certain eczema triggers. They will also be more aware of the lasting effects of scars. Therefore, they will be more willing to stick to a treatment regiment. Finally, a teen can best understand the pros and cons of a treatment. Explain the options to your teen as thoroughly as you can. You should give your teen a say in which treatment option you select.
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