How to Make Salt Water Less Irritating
Summer means beach days, swimming and plenty of time in the water — but for kids with eczema-prone skin, salt water, sunscreen, heat and sand can sometimes mean extra stinging and irritation.
Salt water isn’t necessarily bad for eczema, but when the skin barrier is already dry, scratched or inflamed, it can sting and leave the skin feeling even more irritated.
Here are my simple summer essentials:
1. Protect the skin before swimming
Before heading into the water, apply a generous layer of your child’s treatment ointment or tolerated barrier balm (Dermeze Treatment ointment) over eczema-prone areas.
This creates an additional protective layer between vulnerable skin and salt water and can help reduce moisture loss while swimming.
2. Choose sunscreen carefully
Eczema-prone skin can be sensitive to some sunscreen formulations, particularly when the skin is already irritated.
I generally look for a broad-spectrum SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen that the child tolerates, often favouring zinc-based/mineral formulations with minimal fragrance and unnecessary extras.
Some of my favourites include Little Urchin, Mother SPF, MooGoo Kids, Simple as That.
Remember that even “natural” or mineral sunscreens can irritate some children, so patch testing a new product before a big beach day can be helpful.
3. Have fresh water ready
Keep a bottle or container of fresh water handy and rinse the skin as soon as your child gets out of the water.
This helps remove residual salt, sand and sunscreen that may continue irritating sensitive skin as it dries.
You can have a big insulated water bottle at the ready, or portable beach showers from Beach Soul & Anaconda are also handy.
4. Moisturise again afterwards
Once you’ve rinsed and gently patted the skin dry, reapply your child’s usual moisturiser, balm or ointment.
The goal is to replace moisture and rebuild that protective barrier rather than allowing the skin to become dry and tight after swimming.
A simple routine to remember
PROTECT → SWIM → RINSE → MOISTURISE
Eczema doesn’t have to mean avoiding summer swims altogether. A little preparation before getting in and good skin-barrier care afterwards can make beach days much more comfortable for eczema-prone little ones.
If salt water consistently causes significant pain, worsening inflammation, broken skin or signs of infection, avoid swimming during the flare and seek advice from your child’s healthcare professional.