School uniform for kids with skin allergies / eczema

[Ermintrudewasinnocent]

My youngest DD has asthma and skin allergies (contact dermatitis). Have tried on new uniform for September but she is very uncomfortable with the twill polyester / viscose trousers which suspect will flare up her skin (though not worn long enough to be sure as yet of course). There is no alternative cotton / less allergenic trousers.

Has anyone had a similar experience? How should I expect the school to respond and what adaptations are reasonable?

Before anyone asks, all schools in my area have strict uniform policies and I could not have selected one that was more suitable...

I don't know about now, but I had this problem at high school both me and my sister had to wear 100% cotton shirts, which where therefore a slightly different colour to the standard school colour blue. To be honest my mum just pointed out that we couldn't wear the normal one's due to skin allergy and they didn't make a big fuss. They weren't a big difference but were hard to get hold of even then.

I would have thought it would be easier now that they would need to make reasonable adjustments. If you can find something that is similar to the uniform but doesn't irritate him then they can't complain really.

Thanks - yes, I thought about that but its not really possible to find something similar as they have a unique print as well. I don't want her to look different either so am struggling to work out what to do

Is it a private school?

If not why are state schools still flouting the new league guidelines on school uniform? Where you should be able to buy alternative options elsewhere?

No its not a private school.

My top priority is to find a solution for my DD - but your point is very valid as if there were more options this might not be an issue for us.

Our school has an alternative uniform policy which give types of alternatives accepted with medical evidence (I've used a prescription and hospital consultation letter for proof). Have they got anything like that? It's not an exhaustive list because you can ask for alternatives but it was a good starting point. The child then has a note in their planner so if her asked by staff they can proove the reason for the alternative.

No, the school does not have an alternative policy, as far as I know.

If this is on a website, would you mind pointing me to it as I might share it with the school (PM me).

I have not collected any evidence, but she has various prescriptions and letters etc.

Sorry to hear this. I buy my DD 100% cotton blouses (rather than the cheaper more widely available polycotton ones), then she wears 100% cotton jersey shorts underneath her polyester skirt - so she only has minimal direct contact with the synthetic blazer. She doesn't have eczema but I am just trying to make the uniform as comfortable as possible and minimise the synthetic unpleasantness! Would a skirt be an option? I think all the uniforms are much too synthetic - very unpleasant on warm days (particularly the blazers!)

Thanks - the skirt is the same material so not sure how much better it would be, though yes I guess she could wear shorts under. She hates skirts though and has never worn one!

What does she normally wear on her legs?

just cotton trousers at her primary school