General Measures:

• Place a humidifier in the bedroom, especially in the winter
• Wear soft cotton clothes only
  • Wool and other fabrics tend to irritate sensitive skin
• Avoid playing on the grass in the summer
• Use an air conditioner to cool the bedroom in the summer
• Elimination of certain foods from the diet will generally not help atopic dermatitis
• Do not use ‘bubble bath’
  • It causes the skin to become drier
• Use soap only under the arms and in the groin when bathing
• Wash clothes with gentle laundry detergent
• Do not use ‘anti-static sheets’, bleach or fabric softener in the laundry
• Rinse the laundry twice to avoid detergent residue in the clothing
• If toddlers have severe dermatitis around the mouth, cover this area with vaseline petroleum jelly prior to meals
  • The will protect the skin from contact with irritating foods