No one enjoys seeing their baby uncomfortable and if your child is suffering from eczema you may be on the search for some remedies or treatments to help ease your little ones discomfort.
Eczema can be found in infants all the way up through adults. Unfortunately, eczema is not curable but there may be a few things you can do to help the condition. When your baby or child has eczema it means that he or she has a condition that causes very dry and sensitive skin. Often babies can outgrow this skin condition by the time they are toddlers or preschoolers, but there is still a chance he or she will carry the condition well into his teenage years or even adulthood.
Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that is red and can cause severe itching. Eczema is a general term used to describe any bubbly skin rash and it can also be referred to as Dermatitis. There are many factors that can contribute to this condition and it may be difficult to pinpoint any particular cause. Often times the eczema can show up in one part of the body or it can very well cover the majority of the skin as well. There are a few types of skin dermatitis or eczema including contact, atopic, nummular and dyshidrotic.
When dealing eczema in babies and children you should always see your child’s pediatrician. Depending on the type of dermatitis your child is suffering from may determine the type of treatment your doctor may prescribe and also determine the suggestions for at home care. Since different reactions can come from different causes it is also important to watch what your child comes in contact with on a daily basis. Often dermatitis in infants can come from laundry detergents, perfumed lotions, shampoos, or fabric softners. There are other types of allergic reactions that can cause dermatitis as well such as food allergies, so try to pay close attention to your child’s daily routine.
Medicines that can be prescribed for eczema in children are usually mile to moderate topical steroids. These are not always prescribed since it really depends on the severity of the condition. Also there are times in which eczema can cause excessive itching and drying of the skin and in these cases your doctor may suggest applying a thick moisturizer or some petroleum jelly to the baby’s skin right after a bath. If your child is suffering from dry, crackly skin you should apply moisturizers to the skin several times throughout the day. Bathing your child daily can offer relief as long as you are using warm water that isn’t too hot.
Be sure to pat your baby’s skin dry after the bath instead of rubbing to avoid irritating the skin further. Be sure to use mild baby shampoo in case your baby has a reaction to strong soaps or perfumes. Also start washing your child’s clothes in fragrance free laundry detergent and avoid using fabric softner as well. Keep your child dressed in light, loose fitting clothing since keeping tight restricting clothing can rub and irritate the skin further. Avoiding heavy clothing to prevent overheating and sweating is very helpful in keeping the eczema from getting any worse.
There are a few simple steps you can take to help you ease your child’s eczema symptoms. Although you will not be able to cure this condition you may be able to control it and minimize the rash. Always be sure to discuss your child’s condition with your pediatrician to be sure it is in face eczema your child has and not something more serious.
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Excellent tips on treating baby eczema! To your point of loose fitting clothes, another key aide in protecting delicate, itchy baby skin is clothing with covered hands to prevent fingernails from scratching. Also, babies will use the seams on the inside of garments to scratch themselves. The scratching can be so intense that they bleed – leaving them open to infection and scarring.
To prevent these hazards and protect babies with eczema, Sock Monkeys Clothing was designed for infant/baby eczema. This clothing has permanently covered hands (to keep them from scratching) and seams on the outside of the garments (so they can’t be used as itching tools). Also, the garments have nickel-free snaps (to prevent allergic reacations) and tear-away tags (to avoid discomfort).
Clothing is just one tool in the kit for dealing with baby eczema. But, it sure helps when you don’t have to spend all night holding your baby’s hands to keep them from scratching themselves….
Best of luck to all parents out dealing with baby eczema – our hearts go out to you!!
I tried many different things to try to resolve my babies eczema problems but in the end, had to leave it to nature and let my child out grow her eczema. It was tough and some of the things I tried mirror what’s said in the article, did bring some relief.