Key takeaways
- Managing eczema while playing contact sports requires understanding and addressing triggers like sweat, heat, and friction through communication with your team, proper skin preparation, and appropriate gear choices.
- It is crucial to actively manage sweat and body temperature during play, as well as have a pre-determined plan for how to handle eczema flare-ups with your healthcare team.
- Post-activity care, including immediate showering and moisturizing, is essential for minimizing irritation and supporting skin recovery after participating in contact sports.
Exercise can be challenging for people with eczema. Sweat, rising body temperature, and friction can all trigger itching and flare-ups.
Contact sports add another layer of complexity, introducing frequent skin-to-skin contact, protective gear, and environmental exposure.
But exercise and sports are great for the body and mind. Living with eczema doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines.
Below are seven tips to help you manage eczema while playing contact sports.
Eczema triggers vary from person to person. What causes intense symptoms for one person may have little effect on another.
Understanding which triggers affect you can help you take steps to prepare for and prevent them.
Two common triggers you may face when playing contact sports include heat and friction.
Sweat and heat
Sweat plays an important role in cooling the body, but it can irritate eczema-prone skin. The salt and acidic components of sweat may worsen irritation, especially during an active flare.
As sweat evaporates, it can also dry out the skin, which may intensify symptoms. Rapid increases in body temperature and sweating can further trigger itching and flares.
Friction
Contact sports involve contact, and where there’s contact, there’s friction. Friction is any sort of rubbing sensation on your skin, and it can be problematic for people with eczema.
Whether it’s rubbing from pads or a uniform or direct contact with a teammate or opponent, the result can be irritation and a flare-up of symptoms.
One of the first things you can do when playing contact sports with eczema is communicate your needs with your coach and teammates.
If they understand what you need, they can help make accommodations when possible.
This may include taking breaks to cool off, swap layers, or drink fluids.
There are certain things you can try before playing sports to help prepare your skin for activity.
The National Eczema Society notes that people who are prone to excessive sweating may consider taking a bath in lukewarm water before activity to bring their body temperature down. However, it’s still important to get an adequate warm-up before intense activity.
You may also consider applying a cream emollient prior to activity. Oil-based varieties may prevent sweating and cause you to feel hot.
It’s also important to find a deodorant that’s free of irritants. There are various fragrance-free options on the market that may work for you.
An important aspect of preventing eczema flares during sports is making the right equipment choices.
Rough fabrics, such as heavy wool and certain synthetics, can irritate the skin. In general, experts recommend wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing while working out.
But cotton is not a moisture-wicking fabric. On hot days when you’re working up a sweat on the field, cotton clothing can trap sweat and feel heavy against the skin. Merino is a soft, natural alternative to cotton that does a better job of wicking sweat.
In these cases, opt for a comfortable, lightweight fabric designed to keep you feeling cool. Some additional tips include removing itchy tags and avoiding garments with pronounced seams.
If a uniform has uncomfortable seams and no alternative is available, you may try covering them with silk or wearing a base layer to protect the skin.
This also applies to padding. If you’re playing a sport like hockey or football, ensure you have correctly sized pads. If they’re rubbing uncomfortably, try a comfortable base layer to give your skin some relief.
When you’re done playing, change into clean, dry clothes, as wet garments may irritate your skin. Be sure to clean your exercise clothes before wearing them again.
Keep in mind that it may take some trial and error until you find a combination of workout clothes that works with your body.
Managing heat is important for all athletes, but it’s especially important for people with eczema.
Strategies that may help include:
- Stay hydrated: In addition to fueling your athletic output, hydration can help your skin retain moisture and prevent drying.
- Take breaks: If your sport allows, take routine breaks to drink fluids, find shade, and recover.
- Wear layers: Wearing thin layers of clothing lets you manage your temperature by adding or removing them. You could even change layers or uniforms during breaks or at halftime.
- Towel off: During breaks, use a dry towel to blot sweat. Dabbing a cool, damp towel on your skin can also help keep your skin feeling cool.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have a history of eczema flare-ups, it’s important to have a plan of action for when flare-ups do occur.
Work with your healthcare team to develop this plan. It may include products like emollients and prescription medications, such as topical steroids, along with instructions for application.
Preparation also includes having an adequate supply of these products on hand, so you’re not left scrambling when you need them. Pay attention to the factors that contributed to the outbreak. This may help inform your prevention efforts in the future.
Finally, in severe cases, eczema could become infected. Talk with your doctor about what signs suggest it’s time to get extra help.
No matter which sport you’re playing, one of the first things you’ll want to do after a game is take a cool or lukewarm shower or bath to clean any sweat and dirt off your skin.
Be cautious about bathing in hot water, as it can dry out or damage your skin. Avoid rubbing your skin when drying off. Instead, pat your skin dry.
Consider applying a fragrance-free moisturizer. According to the Allergy and Asthma Network, moisturizing is a first-line treatment for eczema. It prevents dryness, creates a barrier against allergens, and soothes the skin.
Finally, change into comfortable, clean clothes.
Exercise and contact sports can present challenges when you live with eczema, but with a little preparation, you can stay active while minimizing eczema flares and supporting skin recovery.
Among the keys to success are:
- understanding your triggers
- finding the right equipment
- managing heat and sweat
- addressing skin issues as they arise
- caring for your skin after activity
If you have any questions or concerns, work with your healthcare team and your coach to find solutions that support both your skin health and athletic goals.