BOARD NO. 22

Sports and dermatitis possible? How can I relieve itching?

Practising Physical activity and sporty is beneficial in many ways for the body, but for a person with atopic dermatitis This is very unpleasant.

However, this will also help to relieve the symptoms. 

A recent study has shown that in France, among 450 people suffering from atopic dermatitis : 59%were children, of whom 25% had their activities and sports affected, and among adults this reached 81%. 

What is the impact of sport and its effects on atopic skin?

The heat and the Transpiration can exacerbate the itchiness of skin.

In dermatitis, the nerve endings in the skin are already hyper-sensitive. exhibitions and sensitive. The heat will therefore encourage itching. 

Furthermore, perspiration, which plays a role in expelling excess heat produced by the body, is not diffused in the same way across the atopic skin due to their weakening. Sweat, produced by the sweat glands, is broadcast not entirely outwards but in the subcutaneous tissues thus promoting inflammation. And this sweating leads to heat retention, which will have several consequences: to accentuate skin dryness who will exacerbate symptoms and accentuates the development of bad bacteria. 

The sweat of people Atopic showed that its composition had a higher glucose rate, which modifies the pH, further accentuating microbial development, which in turn will accentuate the itchiness and the whole vicious cycle.

However, sports activity is extremely important for helping to eliminate and promote’Emancipatorism of the skin. In cases where people have skin problems, it's because the skin (emunctory) is overloaded, and we will help them, notably to switch to another emunctory to relieve the symptoms.

In the meantime, here is some advice for carrying out sports activities despite everything:

1
  • Encouraging the use of cotton fabrics, clothing made from nylon or other synthetic fabrics can be a contributing factor to dermatitis.
  • Hydrate your skin before exercise, 15 minutes before your activity for example, with a skincare product suited to your skin type. This will protect your skin from external aggressors. 
  • Warming up properly before a session allows the muscles to oxygenate well and better transport heat. Heat the skin too, for example with Sports Cream, to promote good skin health.
2
  • Dry thoroughly by patting, so as not to irritate the skin further as soon as you start to sweat.
  • Drink regularly throughout the session in small sips to also promote elimination by the kidneys.
3
  • After the session, take a lukewarm shower and use a neutral pH cleanser to avoid altering the skin's microbiome (not too alkaline).
  • When drying yourself, gently pat yourself dry and moisturise your skin with a regenerating treatment like Relax Isotonic, which will provide minerals and trace elements for the skin and muscles.

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