When Should You Call Your Doctor
Itâs important to follow your doctorâs treatment plan closely and attend follow-up appointments to properly manage your childâs eczema. If your child isnât responding well to the treatment, let your doctor know.
Children with atopic dermatitis are prone to skin infections. Keep an eye out for early signs like:
- Redness and warmth on affected areas
- Bumps filled with pus
Managing Eczema In Winter And Year Round: A Parents Guide
Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob skin of its natural moisture in the winter. Red, crusty, dry patches can be common on a babys skin, particularly in winter, and cause concern for parents. Such symptoms can be treated, however, and many babies and children do outgrow the dry, itchy skin of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.
We spoke with pediatric dermatologist Katherine Puttgen to learn more.
Why Did My Baby Develop Eczema
What exactly causes eczema is unknown. Researchers dont know why babies develop eczema, though they do know its due to a combination of environmental allergens and genetics. Eczema in babies can cause rashes on a babys skin, itchy skin and eczema flare-ups in the affected areas.
A variety of environmental factors can triggereczema in infants, including certain cleansers, soaps and shampoos. Dry air and ointments can also trigger baby eczema.
If your baby suffers from eczema, consult with a pediatricdermatologist or qualified pediatrician. While they might prescribe a steroid, such as a topical corticosteroid, other steroid cream or an antihistamine, theres other morenatural treatments your healthcare provider could recommend. These can include over-the-counter medications, Vaseline petroleum jelly and fragrance-free products made for sensitive skin.
There are also some preventative measures your family can take as well to help prevent eczema flare-ups. Older infants can wear mittens and gloves to protect the affected areas against triggers. Food allergies can also cause flare-ups and you can create aneczema diet for your infant to reduce their effect. Using detergents and baby lotions that are better for this skin condition can also help.
To learn more about what products can prevent or treat eczema, check out these products that have the National Eczema Associations Seal of AcceptanceTM.
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What Causes Eczema In Toddlers
Before you panic that your child will have lifelong bouts of itchy rashes, its important to remember that some kids are just prone to eczema because of their unique skin makeup. And even thats not always fixed or permanent.
Theres no way to predict what will happen in the future, but lots of kids outgrow their eczema when they reach their preschool years.
Your child is more likely to have eczema if they also have:
- a family history of eczema
Food allergies dont cause eczema, but they are related.
For the most part, though, environmental triggers are the biggest cause of eczema flares. Common triggers include:
- excessive heat or sweating
Although eczema is bothersome and often hard to treat, you can take some steps to get your toddlers eczema under control.
How Can I Manage Eczema
You can find a whole host of useful tips on our eczema Factsheet but here are 3 top tips to follow:
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When Should I Be Concerned
Its a good idea to see your doctor or a dermatologist if your baby still has a rash and itching even after you moisturize the skin. This is the first step in taking care of eczema.
Sometimes eczema isnt serious and will improve with just moisturizing alone. If a rash stays despite moisturizing, medicines may be needed to help with inflammation of the skin.
Also, if youre concerned your child may have a skin infection or if the itching is causing problems with sleep or daily life, its time to get a doctors help.
Are There Likely To Be Any Complications Of Eczema
Its important to control your childs eczema uncontrolled eczema can lead to poor sleep which can have long-term effects on learning and behaviour.
Children with eczema are more likely to get skin infections.
Eczema makes the skin dry and cracked and increases the chance of infection by bacteria and viruses . Infected eczema may be wet, crusted or painful. See your doctor for treatment.
If your childs eczema gets worse or becomes infected, you will need to take them to your doctor. Sometimes, a hospital stay may be necessary.
Its important to control your childs eczema. Uncontrolled eczema can lead to poor sleep which can have long-term effects on learning and behaviour.
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How Does Eczema Progress In Children
Eczema in children is mostly seen in the cheeks, forehead, and scalp of the baby. The baby may look fussy and cranky, and most of the time, the baby keeps crying. Eczema can be seen in other parts of the body and sometimes even appear in the diaper area. When the baby starts crawling around six to twelve months of age, the baby starts developing eczema in the knees and elbows. Also, the surfaces in contact with the ground develop the condition. In severe cases, the rash becomes infected, resulting in the crust or small bumps of the yellowish pus discharge. After two years of age, small bumps appear on the sides of wrists, ankles, and hands. The skin tends to be drier, scaly, and thick.
Food Allergy And Eczema Flare
- Food allergies are a factor in 30% of young children with severe eczema. This factor is mainly seen in babies.
- The main allergic foods are cows milk and eggs.
- The main symptoms are increased skin redness and itching. Some parents report these symptoms start during or soon after the feeding.
- The eczema becomes easier to control if you avoid the allergic food.
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When To Speak With A Doctor
It is advisable to speak with a doctor if symptoms become more severe or if it is difficult to manage the condition at home. If eczema is beginning to impact a childs everyday life, such as disrupting sleep or there are frequent infections from scratching their skin, a parent caregiver can consider contacting a doctor.
When To See A Doctor Or Healthcare Professional
Any skin symptoms that feel intense, excessive, or interrupt your sleep, work, or daily life deserve medical attention.
If you or your child has a rash or another skin condition that wont go away or gets worse, even with over-the-counter treatments, make an appointment with a healthcare professional to evaluate it.
If you have an itchy, painful, or tender patch of skin that has red streaks, scabs, or yellow, oozing pus, or you begin to develop a fever, seek medical attention immediately.
These may be signs of an infection that could become life-threatening if left untreated.
If your itchy skin is accompanied by swelling or tingling in your face, tongue, throat, or lips, tightness in your chest, coughing, wheezig, or hoarse voice, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
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A Common Disease With Solutions To Provide Soothing Relief
It itches and can even make your children a bit irritable: no one wants their child to have to deal with eczema. A basic understanding of the condition, however, will reveal just how common it is but also that treatments can help improve outcomes. The first approach to fight against eczema is to develop your understanding of the disease and to bust certain myths.
The Individuals With Eczema
Fabienne Peters, 24:Ive had eczema from a very young age which tends to be inside my elbows. Dairy is a big player, but the connection was only made when I was 16 now Im dairy-free. I use Doublebase gel every day and only Hydrocortisone cream when I need to as it tends to scar. My eczema is also brought on by perfumed creams, alcohol and stress, so I try to avoid them if I can.
Victoria Hutton, 27:As far as I remember, my eczema started as a reaction to washing up liquid . Over the years, Ive had periods without it, and periods where its been particularly bad the skin behind my ear, and on my eye lid, split, and my hands have been red raw. In those instances I always trusted the advice of GPs, using steroid creams for short times when it was recommended.
Victoria before and after treatment for her eczema
Whilst GPs have helped monitor my condition since childhood, the best thing Ive ever done is see an actual dermatologist . Justines in-depth knowledge got to the root of a particularly nasty flare up last year, and her recommendations not just for treatment, but for everyday maintenance have more than restored my skin to health it looks and feels the best it ever has. The La Roche-Posay itch stick Justine introduced me to was a life saver at times and I still carry the body balm with me wherever I go.
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Will My Baby Grow Out Of Eczema
Sadly, it is impossible to predict whether your baby will have eczema for life or for just a short time. So far, there is no cure for eczema. Eczema is a chronic condition with periods of flare and periods of remission, and most people with a history of eczema still have problems with dry and itchy skin. If your child has a difference in their filaggrin gene, they will not grow out of it. Even if your baby appears to grow out of their eczema, it may return during the teenage years or in adulthood.
Avoid Triggers And Treat Infection
Getting too hot from clothing or heating can make eczema worse stay cool.
Avoid soap and fragrances
Soap and fragrances are the most common triggers of eczema. Only use skin care products designed for eczema. Many are available on prescription from your doctor or nurse prescriber.
Eczema is made worse by infection such as from:
- the cold sore virus which can cause severe painful infection of eczema
Avoid contact with cold sores. See your family doctor urgently if your child gets an infection from cold sores.
Removing foods from your childs diet does not usually help eczema
Removing foods from your childs diet does not usually help eczema and can be dangerous, leading to anaphylaxis.Please talk with your doctor about this.
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Other Types Of Eczema
Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause dry, irritated skin.
Other types of eczema include:
- discoid eczema a type of eczema that occurs in circular or oval patches on the skin
- contact dermatitis a type of eczema that occurs when the body comes into contact with a particular substance
- varicose eczema a type of eczema that most often affects the lower legs and is caused by problems with the flow of blood through the leg veins
- seborrhoeic eczema a type of eczema where red, scaly patches develop on the sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears and scalp
- dyshidrotic eczema a type of eczema that causes tiny blisters to erupt across the palms of the hands
Page last reviewed: 05 December 2019 Next review due: 05 December 2022
Welcome To Infant Eczema
Infants eczema is a resource for quality, factual information about baby and infant eczema, how to deal with eczema and what products to use to avoid irritating the infants skin. Eczema is a term used to describe a wide range of different skin problems that trouble people throughout their lives, from babys, infants to fully grown adults.
The information provided on this site has been researched by an eczema sufferer who has had the condition from a young infant and still has it now during his adulthood. Throughout this time he has separated the facts and from the fiction, how to calm the itching and what products wont irritate it. He now wishes to share this information via this website. Enjoy, and stop the condition before it spirals out of control
Eczema is a variety of skin problems that occur throughout infancy. There are a few various kinds of eczema, the most widespread being Atopic which is mainly suffered by babies and children.
A picture of atopic eczema
Eczema symptoms can affect infants in various ways, from the slight redness of the skin to relentless itching.
Eczema tends to be dry thus reducing the protective nature of the infants skin causing it to be less effective at protecting from fluid loss, heat, cold and bacterial infection. Thats why its essential you make a good effort to continually moisturize your infants skin.
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Scalp Eczema Pictures :
Most common type of eczema is seborrheic dermatitis. Scalp eczema is a type of eczema that causes dry, inflamed, itchy, irritated and flaky skin. The skin condition can affect any age group ranging from infants to adults. When a babys scalp gets the same symptoms its often termed as cradle cap. The treatment methods may include natural, medicated remedies and self care daily regime to get rid of the condition. Its important to manage and control eczema as soon as possible to enjoy calm and stress free lives. Use medicated shampoo to treat seborrhoeic dermatitis of scalp also it can be noted that the shampoos that are made to treat dandruff can do wonders if you have mild eczema. Keep yourself hydrated to manage and control the symptoms of eczema.
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How Often Should I Bathe My Baby
If your baby has eczema, a daily bath with an emollient will help soothe the eczema and reduce dry skin and itching, while cleansing the skin, removing dirt and repairing the skin barrier. Use leave-on emollients instead of soaps, baby washes or bubble bath, or alternatively use emollient wash products or bath additives. Avoid any perfumed products and keep the water tepid, as heat can aggravate eczema.
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Avoiding Triggers With Eczema
A GP will work with you to establish what might trigger the eczema flare-ups, although it may get better or worse for no obvious reason. Once you know your triggers, you can try to avoid them.
- if certain fabrics irritate your skin, avoid wearing these and stick to soft, fine-weave clothing or natural materials such as cotton
- if heat aggravates your eczema, keep the rooms in your home cool, especially the bedroom
- avoid using soaps or detergents that may affect your skin use soap substitutes instead
Although some people with eczema are allergic to house dust mites, trying to rid your home of them is not recommended as it can be difficult and theres no clear evidence that it helps.
Causes Triggers And Risk Factors
Researchers are still unsure of the exact cause of pediatric eczema. However, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology suggests that it may result from the leakiness of the skin barrier. This can lead to the skin drying out, making it more prone to irritation and inflammation. Factors that can contribute to the development of eczema in children include :
- Genetics: Children with a family history of eczema, allergies, or asthma are more susceptible to developing eczema. Mutations in certain genes, such as CARD11 and FLG, also have associations with eczema.
- The immune system: A person may experience a flare of eczema when their immune system overreacts and causes an exaggerated response to a trigger.
- The environment: The envirome refers to potential triggers an individual may have exposure to, including pollutants, such as tobacco smoke, climate factors, such as temperature, and social factors, such as stress.
Evidence also highlights a link between allergies and eczema in younger children. Many experts refer to the progression of allergic conditions as the . It typically begins with atopic dermatitis and food allergies in infancy, then develops into allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis in childhood.
People with eczema are
When diagnosing eczema, doctors will likely ask about:
Currently, there is no cure for eczema, but the condition is manageable. Treatments typically involve keeping the skin moist and reducing inflammation. A treatment plan may include:
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Is Eczema Different For Infants Or Toddlers Than It Is For Older Children
A painful, itchy rash on a babys face, torso or body may be eczema
Eczema looks and acts differently in infants and toddlers than it does in older children. The location and appearance of eczema changes as they grow, so its important to know what to look for during every stage of your infant or toddlers life.