How To Identify And Treat Baby Eczema
Did you know that atopic dermatitis, often known as eczema, is a common condition among infants?
60% of children with eczema develop it in their first year. No cure exists, although it can be controlled by moisturizing, taking prescription medications, and avoiding identified triggers.
Find out more about eczema to better care for your infant and prevent flare-ups.
What is eczema?
Eczema is characterized by skin that is inflamed, red, dry, bumpy, and itchy. However, atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Eczema and atopic dermatitis are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same.
How Common Is Eczema?
Some of the following are common among people with eczema includes:
- Genetic trait. The skin disorder eczema is widespread.
- Asthma and allergies like hay fever.
- Atopic diseases include eczema, asthma, and hay fever.
- People who are very reactive to environmental allergens.
- Certain people whose symptoms are worse by food allergies.
- Cause of an allergy to pet dander, dust, pollen, or another chemical.
- Epidermolysis bullosa (eczema) – bacteria, viruses, and other germs penetrate the skin and cause illnesses in children.
What causes eczema?
- The actual cause of eczema is unknown, even to doctors.
- According to experts, skin allergies are the root cause of some cases of eczema. The immune system’s response to various stimuli may vary from person to person.
It’s not possible to spread eczema to others.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Eczema?
The following symptoms characterize eczema:
- Dry, itchy skin
- Redness, scaling, and fluid-leaking lumps
- More noticeable at night
These symptoms tend to be short-lived. A flare-up describes a sudden and significant increase in the severity of symptoms.
Symptoms can vary and include:
- Eczema rash occurs on newborns’ cheeks, forehead, and scalp. This may spread to the legs, limbs, and trunk (but not usually the diaper area).
- In older children and teenagers, the rash appears on the neck, wrists, ankles, elbows, and knees. Their skin is usually drier and scarier than before eczema.
- Scratching can thicken, darken, or scar skin (called lichenification).
How Is Eczema Diagnosis Carried Out?
- There’s no accurate eczema test.
- The doctor will examine the rash and ask about the child’s symptoms, health, and family history. Close relatives’ atopy reflects the disorder.
- The doctor may refer your child to a dermatologist or allergist after screening out other skin disorders.
What is the eczema treatment?
Treating your child’s eczema early will prevent worse. No cure for eczema exists. Because eczema makes the skin permeable, infections can penetrate more easily. Some medications reduce symptoms.
The doctor will treat the child based on age, rash type, and symptoms.
- Oral Medication
- Lotion
Infections of the skin are common in children with eczema because the condition makes the skin more porous, allowing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens to enter the body more easily.
The doctor will recommend treatments are:
- Topical moisturizers – Always moisturize skin (ideally, two or three times a day). Apply moisturizer after bathing and patting dry. Oily ointments and lotions work best.
- Added topical anti-inflammatory medications – Some of these medications work by modifying the skin’s immune response.
- Oral medications – Antihistamines help itching kids while sleeping, and medicines treat rash-related infections. The use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants is recommended.
Other possible treatment options include:
- Short-term changes may include removing eggs, milk, soy, or almonds from your child’s diet or switching detergents or soaps.
- Moist towels, or “wet wraps,” protect vulnerable skin.
- Soaking in a highly diluted bleach solution is called a “bleach bath.”
- UV light therapy, or phototherapy,
What can parents do to help?
Avoiding irritants and dry skin will help heal eczema. Try the following:
- Warm (not hot) baths should be short duration.
- Before using cream or ointment, wash with mild, unscented soap and pat dry.
- Teen lotions should be scent- and oil-free.
- Consult your doctor before using grain-based itching products.
- Drinking water helps kids’ skin.
- Low body temperatures prevent flare-ups.
- Soft natural fibers are good for children’s clothing. However, wool and polyester may be itchy or prickly.
- Stress worsens eczema. Help your child manage stress (like exercise, deep breathing, or talking to a counselor).
- Remove pollen, mold, and cigarette smoke to prevent allergies.
- Nails should be trimmed to prevent scratches.
- If your child itches, give them thin, soft gloves.
When Should I Consult a Doctor?
Eczema patients are more susceptible to developing skin infections. Consult a doctor if you notice a skin infection, such as a rash & including:
- fever
- Red, puffy, and heated body portions.
- If your eczema worsens or doesn’t react to treatment
- Similar to fever blisters/cold sores.
- Red blisters near the affected area.
What Else Should I Be Aware Of?
Many children’s eczema clears by age 5 or 6. Often it vanishes. There may be a recurrence in some teenagers. Some people still experience eczema, red, itchy, scaly patches.
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